This is a remote streaming issue. My PMS has a wired connection. MY PMS has an Intel quad core i5-4460S CPU @ 2.90 Ghz
The download speed from my PMS server is 126.19 Mbps
The upload speed from my PMS server is 11.86 Mbps
I’m streaming at the default setting of 4 Mbps, 720p. I’ve tried lowering the streaming quality on my various apple devices (Apple TV, iPad, iPhone) and i’m still having the same issue. Playback stops 30-90 secs in and starts to buffer.
I’ve checked the transcoding speeds while attempting to steam and it’s all greater than 1.0
uPNP is turned on in my router so i’m able to access my PMS remotely
This issue started happening to me in the past 2 weeks
As an FYI, I have another family member in the same remote location steaming from his own PMS and he’s having no issues.
See attached screenshot
Have you added new files of very high resolution/quality? Lowering the streaming quality may actually make things worse as your server will struggle to convert a very high bit rate video to a much lower bitrate.
I have a mix of movie files where some are 720p others are 1080p. Are you suggesting that simply adding 1080p file(s) to my library can cause the remote streaming issues I’m having? Should I try to have everything just be 720p?
None of my files are mp4s. All are mkv. Not sure why that would matter as this issue started a few weeks ago. Prior to that remote streaming was fine
Do you have subtitles enabled? Try disabling it if you do.
Per movie or is there a general setting for that?
I would start with outlining if the remote playback is consistent on several different locations, as to determine if it might be a routing issue between two sites (an ISP issue thus). If the remote playback is consistent over several sites, I’d continue the investigation by creating a (or finding one existing) file that is direct playable (both codec and bitrate-wise) by the client you’re testing with. If the same issue is displayed regardless if it is direct play / transcoding or remote location - I would turn inwards. Start this by investigating how the server is connected to the router. Is it WIFI? Use cables. Already using cable? Try to connect it directly to the modem or eq, as to circumvent the router (as to rule that out).
@Cleavon said:
None of my files are mp4s. All are mkv. Not sure why that would matter as this issue started a few weeks ago. Prior to that remote streaming was fine
I have said this on several boards. 3 years ago my mkv’s were not playing consistently.
So after researching I decided to convert/copy ALL mkv’s to mp4.
Now all my thousands and thousands of mp4 I don’t have sound, transcoding, subtitle, etc, etc issues.
Just saying!
Mp4 vs mkv, is one thing. The codec within these containers is another. Remuxing from mkv to mp4 will most Plex servers be able to do without any issues.
If the codecs involved however demands a transcode then its another matter completely. Mkv’s has its positive sides that some might not want to forgo. With mp4 you’re limited to what the container can contain, much less so with mkv.
Since the OP stated that the transcode speed was above the CPU power as such is likely not the issue. However, since transcoded and direct streams are handled differently while being sent over the network, it might still be good to create a file with both container and codecs that the client supports (and a bitrate that falls under the upload and download speed), to see if this aids.
Yes, in response to the reply to me. My suggestion is to try files with a significantly lower bitrate than a mkv ripped off a blueray with make mkv. The network won’t have to struggle to transmit such a high bitrate, and server won’t be struggling to cconvert a high bitrate to a low bit rate on the fly.
One tool you can use is the Optimizer in Plex, which will offline convert your videos into lower bit rates. And when you are streaming from the remote end, the Plex server will automatically choose the best match, so that the CPU wouldn’t struggle that much.
