Hardware Decoding doesn't work in Mac app

Plex Players Desktop Players
1

Server Version#: 1.18.4.2171
Player Version#: 1.4.1.940-574c2fa7

I’m using latest Mac OS Catalina with Intel Core i7 9700k. I’m testing 4k HEVC 60fps 10bit video file located on my server, without trancoding. So, the server only directly streams the video to my mac. Here is an information of the video file:

Media
Duration 2:07
Bitrate 79108 kbps
Width 3840
Height 2160
Aspect Ratio 1.78
Video Resolution 4K
Container MP4
Video Frame Rate 60p
Web Optimized Yes
Audio Profile lc
Video Profile main
Part
Duration 2:07
File test.mp4
Size 1.17 GB
Audio Profile lc
Container MP4
Web Optimized Yes
Video Profile main
Codec HEVC
Bitrate 78916 kbps
Bit Depth 8
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Coded Height 2160
Coded Width 3840
Color Primaries bt709
Color Range tv
Color Space bt709
Color Trc bt709
Frame Rate 59.94 fps
Height 2160
Level 5.1
Profile main
Ref Frames 1
Stream Identifier 1
Width 3840
Display Title 4K (HEVC Main)
Codec AAC
Channels 2
Bitrate 192 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout stereo
Profile lc
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 2
Display Title English (AAC Stereo)

This file just plays smoothly and fine with Hardware Decoding checkmark DISABLED in App settings -> Plex For Mac -> Player. However, since it uses Software decoding, the CPU is high loaded, like 50-60% and hot.

I want to use hardware decoding. But when I enable this checkmark, the video is freezing, CPU in this case is of course almost free. I expected it to be loaded like for 10-20% and using hardware decoding to run video smoothly.

Just to confirm - I’m not transcoding file on a server side. It’s just directly played on my Plex app.

The same video in VLC application, for example, just run fine without lugging and any other issues.

The video that I’m using is “Sony: Camping In Nature HDR”, you can google it easily, not sure if links is allowed to put here.

Is this issue happenning just to me, or that’s just not supported by a mac plex application yet?

2

What GPU do you have?

3

I don’t have GPU. I’m using internal Intel graphics from i7 9700k.

4

What does “About this Mac” say for “Graphics” exactly?

5

It says “Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB”

6

I wonder if the frame rate is the issue for Plex app on Mac?

7

I don’t know. I can check with 30 fps, just need to find a good sample for it. But still, this test video just play fine in VLC. Do you think that Plex app on Mac just doesn’t handle hardware decoding with 60 fps?

8

I’m no expert but I think that’s a possibility.

9

Ok, testing, will respond shortly.

10

Ok, so it’s seems that’s the key. I tested “LG: New York HDR” which is 4k HEVC 10 bit and 25fps, and it runs smoothly with hardware decoding enabled. What could be an issue with playing it in 60fps with hardware decoding?

11

Is there smth here that I can do to make it works with hevc hardware decoding in 60 fps? Or is it officially stated that it’s not supported? If so, can we somehow suggest this as an improvement for next app release and let know developers about it?

12

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