Internet Upload Speed setting range

Plex Media Server
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Server Version#: 1.21.1.3830
Player Version#:

I recently upgraded from a 300/10 connection with Comcast to a symmetrical gigabit connection from Ziply Fiber.

What would be a reasonable setting for the Internet Upload Speed in PMS? What range will it accept?

I had it set to 900, and last night it appeared to be transcoding videos to remote family member’s Chromecasts.

I am getting ~950 Mb/s for both download and with Speedtest’s windows app. The PMS system is hardwired to the router with all gigabit networking. (No WiFi involved at the server end.)

Today I cleared the setting (which results in a setting of zero) to see what happens.

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Your server’s upload bandwidth restriction is only one of several factors which are considered, when the playback mode (Direct Play, Direct Stream, Transcoding) is decided.

  1. activate debug logging (not ‘verbose’!)
  2. quit Plex Server
  3. wait 1 minute
  4. start Plex Server
  5. wait 2 minutes
  6. Tell your relative to start playback
  7. wait 3 minutes
  8. fetch log files

Open the Plex Media Server.log and seek for lines containing MDE:, around the time stamp when playback was started.
The decision to transcode is detailed in there.

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I have a friend who uses Chromecast and doesn’t even come close to using my upload bandwidth but gets transcoded video knocked down to lower stream levels on a 720p x264/Stereo AAC file … because of the Chromecast. He has an older model and it just can’t handle file playback very well - doesn’t seem to matter how it’s initiated (from phone or browser casting).

Same video to someone else remote doesn’t transcode at all on PS4. Neither are getting even close to my bandwidth limits.

My friend with the Chromecast is fine with the situation so doesn’t care for more info - and the transcoding doesn’t hurt my server - so I only have that anecdotal reference for you but your mention of the Chromecast made me think of it as I thought it might be bandwidth at first myself.

4

Yeah, the CC is a very limited device in general.
You can’t beat its price, and it’s supported by Android phones and tablets out-of-the-box. But that’s about it.

1 Like
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Interesting. It seem the first generation Chromecasts are transcoding, and the second and third generation ones are not.

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If they like the experience with Chromecast, I think the Chromecast with Google TV is the better device these days if they are wanting to update - though I see Nvidia Shield TV recommended as one of the top end STB players and has an Android based setup for a broader upgrade.

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I’m thinking of giving all of my adult children Chromecasts with Google TV for Christmas. :wink:

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