Is there a way to force plex (or a Plex client, like Roku) to automatically play the optimized version?

[SimplySimon]

I see, for example, a setting in Roku Plex to select default stream size: Original, followed by 10MB 1080p, 4MB 720p, 2MB 720p, etc. But there isn’t an option for “optimized” even though the files are labeled as optimized on the server. If I accidentally select 4MB 720p and the file is actually optimized to 2MB 720p, the file is going to be transcoded on the fly from a larger file rather than directly played or directly streamed.

I know the obvious answer sounds like: “just optimize everything to the same size.” But I’ve actually been optimizing files based on the device I’m most likely to watch it on. Some shows, I’ll usually watch my largest TV which has a wired connection. But if I watch an episode somewhere else, I may need a smaller stream because of spotty WiFi coverage. But then selecting a lower resolution file from the client (usually Roku) means that the file has to be transcoded on the fly.

Is there a better way around this?

[ljunkie]

The Roku will (should) attempt to find the most compatible version to play based on your quality settings. It should also indicate what version is selected on the preplay screen before playback, or if you enter the settings from within the preplay screen. If this isn’t happening, we’d be more than happy to take a look at the logs.

[programatix]

I noted that Plex for Android and Plex for Samsung TV (H series) dumbly choose the original version and then transcode even though there is an optimized version, say for TV and Mobile. However, the Plex Web choose the optimized version and then transcode accordingly which is the desired behaviour. In my case, the original video is a 4K video. I have optimized it to TV.