Help - New to this

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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  1. I’ve switched to standard definition (SD) locally and remote but recordings are still in HD. Is there any way record SD? SD is acceptable, but HD would be better.

  2. Is there any way to record encoded?

  3. Is there a way to have a preview screen during fast-forward during playback? I do not like trying to skip commercials fast-forwarding blind.

  4. How reliable is PLEX’s commercial remover? It warns that it may not record (delete) parts of the show.

  5. Do I need the HDHomeRun app and membership? Or just a PLEX pass?

PLEX MEDIA SERVER: 1.14.1.5488

On ROKU: 6.1.1.5282-4907f3688-Plex

I’m using a HP Z400 (64 bit Window 7 Professional, XEON 3.2Ghz, 8GB RAM, 1TB HD, Ethernet Connection) as a server. There’s basically nothing on the computer except PLEX and HDHomeRunDVR Software. The sole purpose of the server is recording and watching OTA TV. I’m viewing using 2 ROKUs. I can watch live TV on both ROKUs at the same time with no problem using PLEX, but Recorded TV shows, keep pausing and downloading even when playing back on just one ROKU. What settings on the Computer, in the HDHomeRun app or in the PLEX app should I use for the best results.

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  1. I don’t know why you would want to have SD content, but it is how the station sends the signal.
  2. unknown
  3. some players will do that. I know the PMS and probably the PMP do allow for that, but nothing else that I know of, “at this time”, can.
  4. The commercial remover can work really well if you know how to adjust the settings, or get a copy of the ini file from someone that has it tuned well.
  5. You only need the Plex, You don’t need to pay for any software or memberships from SiliconDust. If you have the hardware and Plex pass your GTG.

As for the buffering it seems that may be an issue they are currently trying to solve after a new update recently for the Roku. I’d follow other posts for that information.

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Jeffddntdt,
What is the meaning of PMS, PMP and GTG?
I state SD is acceptable. If I get SD to work, then I will try for HD. I am using SD in hopes that recordings will playback without buffering. What I have read indicates my XEON 3.2Ghz cpu should be fast enough.
Do you have a copy of a ini file you could provide me?
Thanks for your reply.

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pms = plex media server
pmp = plex media player
gtg = good to go

watching ‘live’ tv and watching recorded tv should be pretty much the exact same thing.

You might need to monitor the windows task manager to see if you are hitting a CPU or hard drive or network botttleneck.

Since you have a plex pass you should a review the new dashboard @ https://app.plex.tv/desktop# > status

this will show you if you are transcoding video and/or audio and should give you a realtime graph of bandwidth use while playing.

you can also watch the server log in 2 different places in the web admin;

settings > alerts (simplified log)
settings > console (raw log info)

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TeknoJunky,
If I watch on my computer using dashboard, recordings do playback without pausing. But recordings pause and buffer when played on Roku. And Roku times out indicating Server is Not Powerful Enough To Convert Video.
Locally, the only monitor I have for my PMS is the same TV I use for Roku. I’ll have to try to get a another means to do both so I can view task manager while viewing with my Roku
Thanks.

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I opened to many issues and wish to close this one. I will tackle each issue one at a time.

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