Hello,
I would like to use Plex (or other media server) to organize and play my library of movies, series, and music.
I have read in several places that on Plex the transcoding cannot be turned off. Is it still true? If so, should the configuration be done on the client and server side or only client or only server?
Thank you !
Video transcoding can be disabled via a server checkbox.
What is your goal behind turning off transcoding?
Consider that the point of transcoding is to be able to play back media that wouldn’t otherwise work. One of the best features of Plex is the ability to transcode as needed.
The best way to avoid transcoding is to not need transcoding. If your clients can direct play your media, including the file containers, codecs, dimensions, bitrates, bandwidth, color, and audio, then no transcoding is required. There are a lot of variables but it’s easy to establish a “lowest common denominator” for media, and to configure clients to attempt direct playback.
If transcoding is disabled, clients will get an error message if they attempt to play back media that requires transcoding.
If you watch your media from the Plex app on a PC, you may never need any transcoding. If you watch anime with complex subtitles over low-bandwidth cellular connections, transcoding is important. If you already have a collection of media from various sources, transcoding may be important for compatibility.
Are you worried about quality, bandwidth, CPU utilization, etc?
Thank you for your answer.
I don’t want video transcoding because my main playback source is a 4K TV on which I want to play my movies in original quality. However, I have read in several forums that Plex couldn’t provide a source without transcoding it, this is a point that had to be improved but it took a long time. If it’s now solved, that’s a good thing.
Also I want to use the Android TV app and I don’t want the video to be transcoded because, as an example, the subtitles are not supported by the app.
I am worried about the quality and the CPU usage mainly.
Thank you.
all your 4k questions @ [INFO] Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you - aka the rules of 4k
please read entire thread, it has lots of peoples questions and discussions.
Thank you, I’ll look at it. I already own a Nvidia Shield Pro 2019 and a gigabit network.
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the shield should play just about everything.
the tube does have some issues with high bit rate 4k rips, it has less ram than the pro.
If you have a tube and you can still return it, I would recommend replacing it with a pro.
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