I am currently running version Plex Media Server v1.12.3.4973-215c28d86 - Microsoft PC x64 - build: windows-i386 english. Over the past few releases, the server software supporting live TV has become more unstable. Unfortunately the server has always been riddled with bugs when using it for Live TV. For example, the software regularly disables a device from using a specific channel and the only recourse is to restart the server. I’ve reported this bug in the past along with log files but have seen no attempt to address it. Restarting the server is a regular requirement to the point I created a simple script (see below) on the server with a shortcut link on the desktop allowing a double click restart, making it simple enough that anybody in the house can do it. Many software bugs that manifest in the server can only be resolved by a full restart. In my usage pattern the server requires a restart at least once a day.
In the past few releases the stability of the server has become even worse. For example, the ability to join a live program from a second TV no longer works. The standard question (buttons) when joining an actively recorded program “Start from beginning” or “View Live” are presented to the second joining stream, but neither selection works anymore. The stream sometimes will start from the beginning, but It’s not possible to fast forward. Joining a second stream worked in version 1.11. My experience is that the most recent software releases are making the application less and less usable. It is highly unfortunate because the idea is a very good one. Execution of the idea, in my experience, has been very poor. A level of stability of the platform needs to be established in order for it to be a viable product.
taskkill /f /t /im “Plex Media Server.exe”
timeout /t 3 /NOBREAK
start “” “C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server\Plex Media Server.exe”
The most recent problem is due to live TV not starting in the correct location when a new tv/session begins on an existing session. The “Watch from start” or “Live” buttons no longer work in version 1.12. Beginning a new session (channel) recording, and then starting a second connection to the same recording will cause the second session to begin at the start of the recording regardless of the button selected. The joining session will then attempt to seek through the entire existing recording. The is causing extreme instability, introduced in version 1.12.
I just started using plex about a week ago and am experiencing the same problem. Has anyone found a fix or workaround for this? This is making my wife very unhappy with Plex and, by extension, me. If there is a fix on the horizon I may be able to wait it out. If not, I will have to look elsewhere for dvr functionality. She has little patience for issues like this.
Version 1.13 has been released. It also DOES NOT WORK!!! Joining a live TV session from another session does NOT WORK if the original LIVE session has been recording for any period of time. Selecting “Watch Live” shows the video snapshot from THE BEGINNING of the recording and just freezes. Selecting “Start from beginning” may start, but then it is not possible to fast forward to LIVE. It just freezes. Also, the rewind function is broken when joining a session. I can’t believe I pay monthly for this.
Although I mainly use Plex for recording, I did a quick test using my iPad and iPhone, left the iPad running for a few minutes and then started the same program on my iPhone - it asked about “From begining” or “Watch Live” - selecting Live brought up the stream without any issues.
I did however noticed on the server that there are now 2 Plex Transcoder processes running so I was wondering if this is “horsepower” issue? Or not enough memory/RAM?
All of my Plex servers however are running Linux (Ubuntu or openSUSE Leap).
Still cannot reverse video when recording live TV. Program must be finished recording before rewind functions. This funcionality worked prior to 1.12 release.
I too run PMS on a Windows host and the problem is not fixed. It’s still random if time shift forward and reverse actually function on Live TV. As it’s been for some time, it only works sometimes, especially when doing FW/REV combinations. I primarily use a ROKU but have also had issues with AppleTV 4K
@tdrsr said:
I run Windows Plex server. This has been fixed with version 1.13.0.5023
