I have Plex Media Server running on a Mac Mini (latest model, from 2014 I think?).
This Mac is connected directly to my TV via HDMI and I have been using the Media Server interface (Thru Safari) to manage settings and play my videos.
I recently ran into an issue where an .mp4 file had warbly audio on the English audio source, but not on any other language. This file played fine in VLC.
Looking thru the forums, someone suggested changing the settings to force 2ch stereo playback. I cannot find this setting in the Server settings. Are they only available in the Media Player settings?
Should I be using Plex Media Player on the Mac Mini to watch the videos, and only use the Server interface for managing the system?
I’m a little confused as to how to best run this…
@HansMacMini2 said:
Should I be using Plex Media Player on the Mac Mini to watch the videos, and only use the Server interface for managing the system?
Exactly like this.
Using PMP for playback avoids the server transcoding, so you will get the fastest response time and the highest playback quality.
You can switch PMP into its ‘windowed mode’, which looks identical to the web app, btw.
I finally had some time to look at this. Plex Media Player fixed the audio issue. BUT…
I’m not new at installing and deleting apps on a Mac, but I am thoroughly confused with what I am running into.
I already had PMP installed on the Mac Mini (installed with PMS, I guess).
First issue is that the interface I see is very similar to the PMS interface, with the exception of the fullscreen arrow icon. I could not find anyway to change this look.
I then deleted it, and tried to download the Preview release available for PLEX Pass members. I know I specifically downloaded that version (2 something). But when I launched it, it looked the same as the old PMP.
I downloaded the public version of PMP and tried to use that. But the interface is not like that pictured in the FAQs. It still looks like the PMS, except for the fullscreen arrows.
I know that PMP is what I am using because the menu bar says “Plex Media Player” and there are no other menus.
I’m really confused by this. Does the PMP not work on Mac? It’s the low-end 2014 Mac Mini, which I am told is 64bit.
Is there a PMP setting I am missing?
Thanks for your help.
And, the “Version” I see is the same as the PMS.
I also don’t have the menu options which are detailed in the FAQs.
Sorry, I feel so stupid but I can’t figure it out.
@HansMacMini2 said:
First issue is that the interface I see is very similar to the PMS interface, with the exception of the fullscreen arrow icon. I could not find anyway to change this look.
Have you tried clicking this ‘fullscreen icon’?
It is the solution.
On my MacMini, where I have the publicly avail PMP:
In a window which does not fill the entire screen, the arrows do nothing. If I expand this window fullscreen using the icon on the window itself, the arrows just take it back to the previous non-fullscreen size.
Whether the window is fullscreen or not, hovering over the arrows always says something to effect of “exit fullscreen”. It never says “enter fullscreen”.
On my laptop I tried the Plex Pass version of PMP (and didn’t like that it seemed to use the keyboard more than the mouse), but it entered fullscreen mode only once. After exiting fullscreen mode, it would not go back to it. Again, hovering over the arrows just said “exit fullscreen”.
Very odd.
Could you make some scren shots which arrows you mean?
I have a hunch we are not talking about the same ones.
Are you using several monitors on that machine?
I mean these:
They appear only on the main screen:
Yes, those are the arrows I’m using. When I hover over that, it has never said “Enter TV Full Screen.” Only says “Exit Fullscreen”, even when it’s in a window smaller than fullscreen.
I have never been able to get it into the mode pictured on this page:
https://support.plex.tv/articles/208050627-plex-media-player-overview/
It’s ok. I can still view and play everything I need, just weird that I cannot get into this mode. Oh well.
If you are willing to do some experimentation, you could edit the plexmediaplayer.conf file directly.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/207338798-advanced-configuration/
in the audio section, there is
"channels": "5.1,2.0", - change that, so it only lists 2.0
You could also try to set
"devicetype": "basic", instead of HDMI
under the main section, set
"fullscreen": true,
"layout": "auto",
and see what it entails
