Server Version#: 1.18.8.2468
Player Version#: Varies
Plex allows setting limits on remote playback quality which does seem to work, but for videos where i have multiple versions (1080p, 720p, 4k), Plex chooses to stream the 4k version and transcode it down to the desired bit-rate when there are other versions already available that are closer to the target bitrate.
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I’ve since split my library with all 4k movies separated and not shared that library for remote users, but the local network experience is diminished because collections are split up or duplicated because now source files are in different libraries. Local users also have to jump between libraries.
Is there a way to keep all versions of a movie in the same library, but somehow filter which ones are available to remote users?
That shouldn’t be the case. It should be choosing the closest one that is above the target bitrate.
Let’s say you have a 50Mbps 4K, 15Mbps 1080p, and 3Mbps 720p.
If you want 20Mbps quality at 1080p, it’ll use the 4K, if you want 12Mbps 1080p, it’ll pick the 1080p, if you want 4Mbps 720p, it’ll pick the 1080p, and if you want 2Mbps, then it’ll pick the 720p.
If it’s not doing that, could you please provide server and client logs?
EDIT: This is assuming that a transcode is required
I can verify I have the same behavior on my server. It works the way it should internally, but my remote users are automatically selected the 4K HDR version and then it transcodes down to 4 Mbps 720p SDR. I have included my logs for reference. I had a remote user testing this with me starting around 13:00. We tried 4 different titles that I have both the 4K and 1080p versions of. Everytime it selected to transcode the 4K version for them.
For reference, I also had the user adjust the quality settings on their player down to 4 Mbps and it still tried to grab the 4K HDR version and transcode it instead of the 1080p version.
I thought I was doing something wrong (I’m still learning the nuances of all settings). I’ve split my libraries for now, but would love to get this fixed as having separate libraries clutters the various “Recommended”, “New Titles”, “Recently added” views with duplicates.
I guess I should note that I have set the maximum remote streaming quality on the server side to 2 Mbps/720p so shouldn’t that override anything the client requests?
