Some may and it is probably worth a caveat so that we don’t start getting “why can’t I watch Plex in my web browser” posts.
I use my web browser for load testing multiple transcodes. It’s easier to open up several tabs than several different clients. However, I could live without that if my goal was to have HVEC encoding before it was officially available.
Is there a way to force it through Preferences.xml currently? Fully understand that we have to wait for PR/blog posts + client updates to get the GUI option, but I’d love the ability to run the HEVC preview while also being on the latest (1.41.3+) builds 
Thank you!!
HEVC encoding is a feature flag in Plex.tv.
There is no way to force it in Preferences.xml because it’s not programmed to look there.
As stated previously, when all the clients are ready, management will give the OK to enable it for everyone and it will show up
Someone “challenge accepted!”? 
Hoping this gets enabled soon… I travel for work and this would be helpful for slow hotel connections and airplane wifi.
It depends on what your goal is: Marginally better quality at the same bitrates, or the same (not great?) quality at lower bitrates. Pick your poison.
Does this now, or will it support Intel arc gpu’s? I’m considering using an AM4 platform with one of those cards for my next server with Linux.
Some people have had some success with Arc GPUs, but it’s not officially supported.
I had no problems when I tried with my A380. I went back to beta branch a while ago so it could have been broken again since then.
In my experience, it works fine on my windows server, but I had no joy getting it to function under linux in any capacity (native or docker). Might have joy if you run your server in a windows VM with passthrough if you take that route.
YMMV.
Regarding the ARC GPU:
Like AMD, Plex does not yet include drivers and support libraries with the PMS package. This is the foundation of “Not officially supported”
Also like AMD, if you install the card drivers -AND- the supporting LIBVA modules,
THEN the ARC GPU will function – through the VA-API interface.
Those who use Windows will see support sooner because Microsoft was more proactive adding those modules.
Linux requires manual installation (the nature of Linux).
Glad to know it’s at least possible. Maybe I’ll try it out if I find an A380 at a cheap price. Thank you for the detailed info.
Not strictly related to HEVC encoding but since you’re already touching Transcoder code anyway you should know that someone recently broke PGS/VOBSUB burn-in. It now falls back to software encoding (for HDR) and tries to inlineass instead of overlay which obviously doesn’t work. This means it’s currently not possible to watch media (which needs to be transcoded) with external image-based subtitles:
| SDR | HDR | |
|---|---|---|
| SRT (internal) | HW | HW |
| SRT (external) | HW | HW |
| VOBSUB (internal) | HW | SW |
| VOBSUB (external) | FAIL | FAIL |
| PGS (internal) | HW | SW |
| PGS (external) | FAIL | FAIL |
The new HEVC updates are now merged into the current PMS build so it’s very likely that update broke it.
Chris is out until January now so it’s probably best to back down a version or two if HW subtitles are required.
EDIT: Chatted with Chris. He’s now aware of this and I’ve submitted the issue with his name on it 
I’ve been testing this and its awesome!
I’m very Happy to see development in this area.
Next step would be to add more AV1 support.
Thanks!
A380 has been working great for me as well. Zero issues with it on Ubuntu 24.04. Threw it in my system and it just worked.
It’s an absolute beast for HEVC encoding.
Thank you for this info!
Do I understand correctly that testing this forum preview is concluded and we’re just waiting on activation of HEVC transcoding (which is already) in the current public release?
Does this imply that HEVC encoding is available to “everyone”, as in Plex Pass members, using the beta release or are we still waiting on it to be enabled?
I appologize but that last message left me a little confused.
