The issue with UK HD TV channels on Amazon Fire TV 4K was circumvented by forcing transcode until Amazon release a fix. This change to force transcode happened sometime back and fixed the problem. But that change impacted some users eg ones with HD HomeRun Extend that does its own transcoding and so we just released a settings to allow those users to disable the automatic transcoding for interlaced video on the Amazon Fire TV
Are you running with the option to transcode selected or disabled ?
Ive run it with both interlaced tv transcode and also run it without and both times it has encounted problems. It would appear that if you start off in direct play i.e broadcast is in 1080p (no need to transcode) but then moves during commercials and/or the next programme which is 1080 interlaced the server is sluggish and does not recognise the change so does not transcode to p. Therefore the original problem returns as you are getting direct stream 1080i
Ive posted logs etc in Live TV channels freeze within seconds on Fire Stick 4k
I would like you to run with forced transcode for this - so the setting set to force transcode - with that set, before you start. That was the fix and I need to know if this fix is not working for you.
No the fix is not working for me. This situation is with live tv forced transcode on: It would appear that if you start off in direct play i.e broadcast is in 1080p (no need to transcode) but then moves during commercials and/or the next programme which is 1080 interlaced the server is sluggish and does not recognise the change so does not transcode to p. Therefore the original problem returns as you are getting direct stream 1080i
The server wil ONLY transcode if the programme lottery starts off as interlaced. If the programme lottery/luck of the draw starts off as progressive the server says i dont need to transcode, so you get it direct play. If the programme after happens to be interlaced the server doesnt switch quickly enough to transcoding it continues to send it as direct play.
at approx 12:10 with force transcoding on 12_10_05_05_20_4k fire tv stick live tv paused.txt (1.0 MB) Plex Media Server Logs_2020-05-05_12-12-10.zip (5.0 MB) 12_10_05_05_20_4k fire tv stick live tv paused.txt (1.0 MB) Plex Media Server Logs_2020-05-05_12-12-10.zip (5.0 MB)
Please note I am getting similar playback issues with a Nvidia shield (cube)
Thank you for the detail. I have discussed this with the development team and I am sorry to say that this scenario of switching is not catered for and will not be. The fix was only a tactical one until Amazon release their fix and hopefully that will not be long. You can track that through the link provided earlier in this thread.
We will approach Amazon and see if there is any information on expected release date
Again Thank you to you and your collegues for your time on this issue. Appreciate it was only ever meant to be a band aid but arguable its not even that 
That said it’s unjust to throw resources at a problem thats not really your fault.
I personally raised the issue with Amazon, a month later found myself full circle. I won’t hold my breath that Amazon will fix the issue. If they don’t, you guys were on the right track make the muscle (server) do the hard work! (its not far away from being a permanent fix ok band aid)
Please see it from the Plex customers perspective; I personally have speant £350.00 or USD on 4K fire sticks and £150.00 or usd on a Nvidia shield (cube) In total thats £500 or $ and I still can’t watch seamless live tv, yet I could do this if i purchased a £100 or USD on just a tv and plugged this into an aerial with a usb stick for a dvr (ok its not really comparable but hopefully you get my drift)
I would be much obliged if you could take a look at nvidia shield issues that on the face of it are identical to the fire stick 4k interlaced issues: It also shows that tuned channels become ‘sticky’ Nvidia shield tube (Android TV) Live tv issues, including other faults and crashes
Just heard on the rumour mill that there should be a fix for the 4k fire tv stick by the end of June 2020 - here’s hoping 
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