Server Version#: 1.32.3.7192-7000
Player Version#: latest version from webos LG TV
So, I have a Synology NAS DS220 plus. Processor is intel celeorn J4025
I download 4k movies, which have multiple variants of subtitles directly in the file.
If I play from my LG C1, using plex player, it plays without a problem, streams to the max quality.
However, if I want to select one of the subtitles (i usually select english as I don’t always hear the full conversation) then the loading symbol appears, sometimes after 1 minute, it starts to play for 2-3 seconds then it starts to load again for 1 minute.
I’m sorry if I sound like a noob, but this is my first NAS/Plex combo and trying to understand what the problem is and how to fix it.
Is the problem with the NAS? Not enough cpu power?
Any advices?
Thanks in advance
Alex
The answer depends on the type of subtitles and the player settings.
Player settings – If subtitle handling set to “Always burn” then the Syno isn’t strong enough. “Automatic” is the best setting.
Subtitle type – If PGS, VOBSUB, or DVDRIP (all image-based) then the syno isn’t strong enough. You need an Intel Core i3 -class or better to keep up because Image-based subtitles must always be burned into the image – which the CPU does. The HW transcoding doesn’t support burning .
Alternative - (which I use) – Nvidia Shield Pro (or similar upper-end player) which is strong enough to burn the subtitles itself inside the player app and send the resultant 4K out the HDMI.
thanks for the reply.
I tried with Always burn, and the subtitles works, but then the image quality is affected. It looks oversaturated as if HDR won’t work.
If i select never, or automatic, then the image quality is perfect, but the subtitles won’t load. (will stutter/lag)
I kinded wanted to go away from external player like Nvidia shield pro. As I have 3 Tv in house all running plex from webos LG.
Is there a recommended powerfull NAS that can take this? Higher Tier?
I’ve noticed that tone mapped HDR does look over saturated on it.
When playing on a regular SDR display, tone mapping is fine.
I’ve chatted with the engineer about that. There are multiple tone mapping algorithms.
The current one does better with SDR displays . HOWEVER, another popular one works well with HDR (like our LG) displays.
We discussed providing the ability to select between the two methods. That will be coming at some point (no idea when but she did like the idea)
As for a NAS, that’s a lot more subjective – need, intended use, future growth plans, and financial constraints.
There are two basic approaches:
Have a ‘honking strong’ NAS “Appliance” which does everything.
Have a ‘regular NAS’ to serve up media to a ‘honking strong player’ for each TV.
Honking NAS approach
There are NAS vendors out there who make good boxes but don’t be shocked at the price tag. I have Synology, QNAP, and one I built myself because I outgrew both. The price for my DIY was ridiculous but it will last and I won’t easily outgrow it even with my high demands on video (60 GB media files are normal for me)
Recommending NAS boxes is difficult but QNAP does make some machines which you’ll be hard pressed to outgrow if you configure it right (i7 - i9 for the subtitles) at purchase then populate with good drives
– TVS-h874 . It touts ZFS but you can use either way (QTS/ext4 or QuTS/zfs)
– QNAP has other “Intel Core” systems. The processor selection will be the limiting factor to how many simultaneous subtitle burning streams you can handle.
Honking Player approach
A player, like the Nvidia Shield Pro 2019, for my use case works best
– Nvidia Shield can DirectPlay any video/subtitles I send at it.
– Connect Shield → Onkyo TX-RZ AVR (7.1 speaker config) → LG
TV-resident player app
Smart TVs are only smart with IoT operations and streaming from the providers who already have the media and subtitles pre-processed.
Loading our own apps (like Plex) require us to prepare the media in the same manner for those TVs.
– AKA – Pre-burn in the subtitles (permanently) in order to preserve the quality and HDR
-OR-
(This is a BIG point) USE TEXT-BASED SUBTITLE STREAMS which don’t require burning-in at all. SRT subtitles are the most portable and what our LG TVs like the best.
After all that , choices are:
Get a honking NAS and burn in subtitles on the fly and tone map to H.264
Pre-burn the subtitles into the video
Use a smart/strong set top box with each TV.
Only use Text-based subtitle streams with our video files.
My solution:
Honking NAS
Tons of storage because I rip the entire BluRay (don’t compress/reduce at all)
Use SRT subtitles
I can play all my media locally at full quality with SRT subs when I need them.
I can transcode when I need to for remote streaming.
oh man, this is the reply of my dreams! Extremly well build and explained, thanks for this.
Even though I pay for all streaming services : Netflix, Disney+, Prime etc, some of the movies aren’t there. So I put on the pirate hat for a bit and download 4K ripped movies (Around 30 gb).
In this case, I guess I will spend an extra minute or two to download the .srt subtitle and just add it on the folder. As I said, i have 3 x LG C1 in my house and don’t want another investment of 3 x nvidia shield pro.
For the moment I only have 40 mbps (5 MB/s) upload speed, so remote streaming isn’t an option. However, fiber is coming this year on my street and then I’ll have 1GB upoload/download.
I’ll see how transcode for streaming works then, and decide if need to upgrade my NAS.
Cool answer man, have a good day.
