How to stop 7.1 audio from transcoding?

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.32.3.7192
Player Version#: latest on Sony X950G, PS5, and XSX.

Hey folks, just wondering if there’s a solution that I’m not finding for this. I have no issue with any content except for anything that’s 7.1 channel audio.

I generally play from my tv, Sony X950G. I have a Yamaha RX-A4A connected via eARC for my 7.1 audio setup. My consoles are also connected directly to the receiver.

Any 7.1 channel media will transcode and stop to buffer. DTS-HD 7.1 isn’t too bad, it may stutter sometimes but generally I can get through an entire movie with minimal interruption. 7.1 TrueHD is a completely different beast, it just stops to buffer every few seconds and sometimes just bombs completely saying the server doesn’t have enough CPU. Saving Private Ryan would stop to buffer for a few seconds every 10 minutes or so. I tried watching All Quiet On The Western Front and it would go a few seconds before saying my server isn’t powerful enough.

I checked on Plex Dash and my video isn’t transcoding at all and my audio never transcoded unless it’s 7.1. Is there a solution to direct playing this audio? I’d really like to get the most out of my sound system and if that involves me needing to buy another device I’ll do it, but I’ love to not have to.

Thanks!

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Short Answer: Acquire a Nvidia Shield Pro. Connect it to a HDMI input on the Yamaha.

Longer Answer:

Audio Formats

When using the Plex app on the Sony, TrueHD audio will always transcode. No TV supports TrueHD passthrough from TV based apps.

The Nvidia Shield Pro will passthrough the Dolby formats, including TrueHD + Atmos, and the DTS formats, including DTS-HD MA & DTS:X. The current model supports Dolby Vision video. Earlier models do not.

Do not get the non-Pro “tube” model. It has trouble, such as audio drop outs, with high bit-rate media such as 4K HDR rips/remuxes.

You might also try the Xbox, since you already have it. Connect it to a HDMI input on the Yamaha.


Audio Transcoding & Buffering

Transcoding audio takes very little CPU and really should not cause buffering.

Does the buffering happen with all movies, only 4K HDR, etc?
How is the TV set connected to the network? Wired or Wi-Fi?
How is the Plex server connected to the network? Wired or Wi-Fi?

Just wondering if there are some network adjustments that will help with the buffering.

The Ethernet port on the TV is 100 Mbps.
Some 4K HDR movies, such as Blu-ray rips, can burst above 100 Mbps.
If that happens, you may experience buffering.
The Wi-Fi on most recent TVs supports 802.11ac, which is faster than 100 Mbps. If you’ve a strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal at the TV, you may have less buffering using Wi-Fi instead of wired Ethernet.

The Plex server should be connected to the network via wired Gigabit Ethernet. Streaming high bit-rate media with both the server & client on Wi-Fi can lead to buffering.

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Awesome, thanks for the detailed response. I’m seeing that a new version of the shield is supposed to come out at some point but hasn’t been released yet. I’ll likely wait for that instead of spending $250 (Canadian) on one now. I’m not ties to the Apple ecosystem, but I came across some info online saying that the new Apple TV can passthrough 7.1 channel lossless no problem, are you able to confirm if that’s the case? I could pick one up right now for $179 which would be better financially.

As for the network, I used to have it on wired but realized it was causing me grief. I’m connected wireless to the router which is in an adjacent room with a good strong signal.

The buffering only happens on 7.1 audio media. Anything else of any resolution and quality has no problems. 5.1 4K will play with no issue.

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I’d like to be corrected if I am misinformed, but don’t the FireTV products also passthrough 7.1 formats?

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Cube v3 passes TrueHD and lossy DTS 5.1 core.

No other Fire devices pass either format.

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I have not seen anything about updated hardware (other than wishing and speculation). That would be nice.

FWIW, my 2015 Shield is still going strong. Still receiving software updates eight years later. It predates Dolby Vision support, but direct plays everything I throw at it.

Apple blocks TrueHD and DTS passthrough for all apps. Both converted to PCM. Atmos and :X info lost in process.

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Alrighty then, Shield TV it is! Thanks for the help!

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I guess I assumed they do because I have a ton of 5.1/7.1 FLAC which does seem to pass through to my receiver. Too bad, when not able to be passed through, Plex doesn’t just repackage those other formats into a lossless (other than metadata) PCM instead of leading to something like a lossy DTS core. But maybe it can’t know the capability of every player?

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