Server Version#: 1.18.0.1846
Player Version#: Multiple, see below
Tuner: HDHR Extend, transcoding on Extend using “High Quality (30 fps limit)”
I’m seeing issues with Live TV using the Plex Server beta 1.18.0.1846 across multiple clients. Downgrading to 1.17.0.1709 resolves the problem. Live TV on 1.18 will do one of the following approximately every 20-30 seconds: pixelate, stutter (freezes briefly then jump to current), or the buffer wheel will flash briefly on the screen. CPU use is low.
I recorded one show with server 1.18, and it is showing this problem consistently at the same places in the recording when played back multiple times and on multiple clients with server 1.18. The degree of impact varies slightly across clients, but it observable at the same place in the recording. Roku is the most impacted, which of course is my primary playback device. Recordings made with server 1.17 and played under server 1.18 appear to be ok. The recording made under server 1.18 still shows the problem when played with server 1.17.
I’m currently running server 1.17 since 1.18 is not usable for me. If logs are needed I can upgrade, recreate the problem, DM the logs, and then downgrade.
Detail of clients checked: PMP 2.43 on Win (direct stream), Roku 6.4.2.5956 Plex Preview (direct stream), Roku 6.3.14 (direct stream), Android Mobile 7.23 (direct play)
I uninstalled the app in window 10 and then went to my plex app data folder/local/plexmediaserver/updates and within that folder choose a previous version you want to reinstall. Copy it to your desktop and launch the installer.
Experiencing the same thing direct streaming live TV to Roku with the latest PMS beta. Not rolling back as music library has already been upgraded, so I can’t verify that rolling back solves the issue.
I just upgraded to 1.18.0.1846 before Thursday Night Football and am now also experiencing live TV stuttering with playback on Roku.
But it gets interesting: I re-enabled direct playback of MPEG2 video, thus bypassing the transcoder, assuming this would solve the problem. It didn’t. I am seeing the exact same behavior direct streaming 720p MPEG2VIDEO as I was forcing it through the transcoder. This leads me to believe there is a bottleneck somewhere else such as the network.
As others have stated, my config was working flawlessly with the last 1.17 beta version.
Here’s the fascinating case: I recorded an OTA show last night using server 1.18, and the pixelation and stuttering are in the file produced by recording. I took a copy of this file and put it on my laptop and watched it in VLC, and the pixelation and stuttering are there consistently in the same places every time I watch a segment. (Several problems in the first 2 minutes.) No Plex client. The network connections in recording are from my HDHR Extend, which has a 100Mbps wired port connected to a mesh gigabit router that has a wired gigabit backhaul to the gigabit router that my Plex server is connected with wired gigabit. No wifi anywhere in there. If Plex needs more bandwidth then I’m tapping out.
For a second time I upgraded to 1.18, and immediately saw the pixelation and skipping problem trying to watch Live TV. I tolerated it for about 10 minutes, couldn’t take it anymore, and downgraded to 1.17. On 1.17 I’ve been watching tonight’s NFL game for over an hour through Plex Live TV. Not one skip, stutter, or pixelation on 1.17.
I’m seeing this too while playing almost any video type to my Apple TV. I’ve played MKV and MP4 videos of 720p or 1024p resolutions. For a while it freezes every 30 seconds for about 10 seconds. I have the Apple TV set to downgrade performance automatically which I think helps it get down low enough.
The CPU utilization on the Plex Transcoder process goes up to 90% for a while before dropping to 2%. Then it keeps going up again every once in a while - I assume it’s filling the buffer or something. I’m also noticing that it keeps restarting because the process ID changes from time to time. I’m running the server on an i7 system on Windows 2012.
Same here. I was blaming everything except Plex. But, after using HDHomeRun application the image was perfect. I’ve returned to version PlexMediaServer-1.17.0.1841 and it seems everything back to normal. Running PLEX in Synology NAS
I’m at work now, but I’ll try to at least get a sample video uploaded soon or maybe at lunch.
Last night while I was watching Sunday Night Football on NBC, it seemed to be happening every 10-30 seconds – that was while direct streaming to a Roku. I’ve been streaming ESPN and NFL Network this morning while at work using Chrome and the it seems to be happening only occasionally (once every several minutes or so). While using Chrome, the video is being transcoded. Not sure if that would make any kind of difference.
Thank you for looking into this! You caught me at the beginning of a trip where I’m not going to be able to work on helping provide additional info until I return. If still needed, early next week I can upgrade and get you logs and an example.
I have a 1 minute and 30 second clip from a program that was recorded on Sunday. This recorded on FOX and is a 720p broadcast. I feel like the issue is present more on a 1080i broadcast, so I’m working on trying to get a sample from another recording as well. This is from my Google Drive. Let me know if it needs to be hosted or uploaded somewhere else.
