Server Version#: 4.30.2 (latest for Synology)
Player Version#:Latest Roku/Web
Yesterday I upgraded from a Synology DS918+ to a DS920+. The migration went easily and the new device stood up with everything operational. The only thing missing is an added RAM stick which comes in Tuesday.
The weird thing is the device no longer seems to handle many of the 4k files it previously did. From the NAS, none of the resources go above 50% (RAM), CPU stays under 20%. All the reviews I’ve read indicate the DS920+ was up to the job, any ideas of what it could be? The network is either blamed or the picture is heavily pixelated.
Sorry about that! I either seem to get an error of “Your connection to the server is not fast enough” or I get a heavily pixelated stream and the refresh rate is next to nothing.
I have tried on a wired Roku TV, a wired desktop va Chrome, and a wireless Roku Ultra, same effect everywhere on media which used to play previously. I did reboot my router as I heard that was recommended, but sadly, no impact.
I installed the desktop plex app on my laptop and that content now plays. So I’m conjecturing it’s trying to decode the h265 content for some reason, even though it’s playing locally? I thought the J4125 was a fair upgrade over the J3455 and reviews seemed to be good.
There may be an FFMPEG issue with the UHD graphics in the J4xxx chips. See thread linked below. It is for a QNAP with a J4105, which has the same UHD 600 graphics as the J4125.
I think I have the problem mostly solved by now. It seems ALL of my clients somehow got off of “Original” in their video stream settings. Once set back, buffering stopped and 4k HDR video was rendered.
I do agree there does seem to be a transcode glitch but I won’t pretend transcoding h265 was ever a Plex recommended best practice. With the bug lying with Synology or Intel, what do you think the odds of a fix are?
I’d be happy to test. Where would I find that preferences.xml file? To confirm, it is in this folder, right? \NAS\Plex\Library\Application Support\Plex Media Server
I made the edit and indeed, buffering on transcode seems to have stopped. Still takes a bit to queue up but image artifacts and stuttering seem to be gone after a quick test.
HOLY COW! This fixed the problems I was having with my new 720+! I’m now able to transcode anything I have now with no problem. CPU isn’t even being taxed basically at all. Everyone with a new 20+ Synology NAS will need this.
for those that were havoing issues on the DS*20+ range…were you having issues playing back 4K via direct play…I dont want/need transcode the files as the playback units (ATV4K) can play back 4K on a lower res set.
Havent tried this xml change yet but will do so later today, just wondering if other had similar issues prior to the fix
I made tha bove changes and as soon as I tested it worked perfectly…however, just a day later, its no longer working on Plex app itself.from my ATV4K but its working fine from InFuse Pro still
Infuse is a ‘thick player’ with full decode, using Apple hardware. It only reads the media from the NAS. Plex is a Server-Player architecture. You can’t really compare the two. It would be like saying “VLC can play the file”. Apples and Oranges tests even though both are fruits and both yield juice at some point
If you will provide the server DEBUG logs , capturing a session you have trouble with, I will look at it.
If you placed the i965 preference in Preferences.xml, then it’s active. I highly suspect there is a different issue (like Subtitles being burned in – which Synology cannot handle and never could)
I’ve just recently got the DS920+ and am obviously having the same issue. Just wondering if I should I edit the xml file now or will this soon be corrected in a Plex server update? If I edit the file will I have to change it back after the Plex server update?
Is the i965 driver an older driver than the iHD, should the iHD one allow faster transcoding once supported?
If you make the change to add VaapiDriver="i965" in your Preferences.xm, it will remain until you remove it.
Given the complexity of the iHD driver, and that Intel isn’t staffed (Covid) -or- deems Linux of high enough priority right now, I would make the change.
You can always remove it later. At least, for now, you can enjoy PMS as it should be.
Thanks so much Chuck, image quality looks great now. Will keep an eye on this forum and Plex server release notes for any updates.
This Synology DS920+ NAS seems ideal for Plex, I haven’t gone above 13% CPU usage even when transcoding a 25GB 1080p file! Will try 4K soon.
