Issues HW Transcoding HEVC to Roku 3

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: Version 1.21.0.3616
Player Version#: Roku 3

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Hey everyone,

I’m not sure if my hardware transcoding is working correctly…

Most of the TVs in my home have Roku Streaming Stick+ or are Roku Smart TVs. They support h265, so my files direct play. However, in my basement I still use an older Roku 3. It does not support h265, so will HEVC files will need to be transcoded.

My Plex server is:

  • Windows 10 Pro
  • Intel i5-4690 (Haswell)
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Super
  • iGPU is disabled in BIOS to avoid Plex trying to use QuickSync

I tried to play an x265 file through the Roku 3 this evening. It loaded up to 99% and just sat there, then failed and would not play the movie. I believe I have everything setup correctly. Hardware acceleration is enabled in Plex settings.

The 1650 Super should be powerful enough to transcode this file, yes? Oddly, my CPU is maxing out during transcoding and GPU is remaining at very low load.

Screenshots & Logs attached.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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Now’s a great time to go get a sale Roku. $30 for a stick!

I believe that because your source file is HDR and the destination is SDR, tone mapping is being invoked.

I don’t think tone mapping is hardware accelerated on Windows + NVIDIA.

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Ah, this may be my issue! Thank you.

Should I turn HDR tone mapping off? Will Plex then use the GPU? Or will the picture quality be very poor with tone mapping off?

Lastly, is hardware accelerated tone mapping for Windows + NVIDIA on the PMS roadmap? Or is this not possible?

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Try turning it off and see what changes!

I think you’ll get a super blaaaahhhh washed out video - so even if it goes faster, I’m not sure you’ll want to watch it that way.

And, I dunno. I haven’t seen a statement from the Plex folks. :slight_smile:

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Much appreciated. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for your help. Hope someone from the Plex staff chimes in as well.

RE: roku sale, I actually have a new Roku Ultra in a box that came in the other day to replace this old Roku 3. I was more trying to figure out if my hardware acceleration was working as expected. I hadn’t considered the HDR tone mapping. Seems likely to be the issue.

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