MKV Streaming to NVIDIA Shield Issues

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Server Version#: 1.21.1.3830
Player Version#: 7.23.0.13018

Hello, first time poster here. I have a DVD collection that I would like to convert to MKV and stream through Plex. I wanted to do a trial run with a few movies before I spent a bunch of time converting all of the Media over.

I took a few movies and converted them to MKV using MakeMKV. I have not done any additional encoding/compression using Handbrake, the MKV is unaltered after it was processed through MakeMKV.

I am running Plex server on a fairly high end gaming computer and the MKV files are located on my NAS. The streaming device is an Nvidia Shield Pro connected to a Sony 4K TV. The computer, NAS and Shield are all connected through a Gigabit ethernet network using CAT 6. Nothing is connected via the wireless network. I know I can run the server on the Shield, I just chose to use my computer for now.

Here is my problem. When streaming any of the movies, I notice that the quality is not the same as when I put the DVD in. I have been doing a direct comparison. The streaming quality of the MKV is fairly decent, but I do notice a slight pixilation in some scenes, especially faster motion and scenes that are darker. I also notice a little bit of stuttering from time to time. When I look at the player info, it is Direct Play (mpeg2). So I take that as no transcoding is going on. The DVD runs smooth when played through a PS4 and sets the bar I would like to achieve with the MKVs.

I’m just wondering if this is a limitation of the Shield or rather the MKV/encoding? I have done a ton of research on these forums and have tweaked everything I can on the server side. The quality is set to max, direct play is enabled. Made sure quality is set to max on the PMP also. Even played around with the PMP encoding options. Nothing helped.

Below is the MediaInfo for one Movie I am really struggling with. Not sure if this is helpful, but thought I would go ahead and post it. I appreciate any comments/help you all can offer.

Video
ID : 1
ID in the original source medium : 224 (0xE0)
Format : MPEG Video
Format version : Version 2
Format profile : Main@Main
Format settings : CustomMatrix / BVOP
Format settings, BVOP : Yes
Format settings, Matrix : Custom
Format settings, GOP : M=3, N=12
Codec ID : V_MPEG2
Codec ID/Info : MPEG 1 or 2 Video
Duration : 1 h 33 min
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 6 071 kb/s
Maximum bit rate : 9 800 kb/s
Width : 720 pixels
Height : 480 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 (23976/1000) FPS
Original frame rate : 23.976 (24000/1001) FPS
Standard : Component
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Scan order : 2:3 Pulldown
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.733
Time code of first frame : 00:59:59:00
Time code source : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed : Open
GOP, Open/Closed of first frame : Closed
Stream size : 3.97 GiB (77%)
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No
Color primaries : BT.601 NTSC
Transfer characteristics : BT.601
Matrix coefficients : BT.601
Original source medium : DVD-Video

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So does anybody have an idea why an MKV (not compressed or re-encoded) played on a Shield Pro with Plex over wired ethernet would not have the same quality as the original DVD played on a PS4? This is driving me nuts. Is this an unrealistic expectation?

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If direct playing a video file then nothing is being changed in the video by plex. The video should look better especially with the shields AI upscaling. Might be the MKV settings you used when you ripped the movie.

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The Plex Player App on the Shield does show that it is Direct Playing.

I also tried playing the MKV on the Shield through the VLC app as well. Same quality issue with it. So I dont think it even has anything to do with the Plex Player.

I only use MakeMKV to make the copy of the movie. I didnt think that there were any settings in MakeMKV to adjust? Is there something that I missed?

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Scan type : Progressive
Scan order : 2:3 Pulldown
Compression mode : Lossy
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.733
Time code of first frame : 00:59:59:00
Time code source : Group of pictures header
GOP, Open/Closed : Open
GOP, Open/Closed of first frame : Closed
Stream size : 3.97 GiB (77%)
Language : English
Default : No

its a lossy compression. you are going to lose some quality. look right there it says 77%

might want to play with the settings. if the size is reduced it also reducing quality. you would be better off going from mpeg2 to hvec or h264.

is there a reason u are leaving it at mpeg2?

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Nothing to do with compression. The video track is 3.97GB, which is 77% of the overall file size.

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I don’t think your interpretation of the info is correct. Mpeg2 is “lossy” compression. That’s just a fact. The “77%” number is the portion of the total file the video data uses. The remaining 23% is used by other data - audio, subtitles, chapters, etc.

MakeMKV copies the file exactly as it is from the DVD. There is no conversion of any kind. In fact, you can’t force it to do any kind of conversion. It copies the data from the disc exactly as it was encoded.

That’s just converting from one lossy format to another lossy format. Which always loses some amount of quality. However, h264 is compatible with more devices, so your server won’t have to transcode.

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Woops I thought that was the settings for the makemkv…

My point on going to h264 was to save space

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Even though the Nvidia is supposed to play everything natively, I would probably take the time to convert DVD’s to something that is actually used in the streaming world Plex lives in. I don’t have any mpeg2 videos in my libraries. When done properly it gets rid of the “anamorphic” settings all DVD’s have, gets rid of the “pull-down” most DVD’s use to basically skip frames, and stuttering and pixelation just goes away. With good quality settings, I think you would be hard pressed to see a difference.

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Thanks for all of the responses. Just when I thought I was getting my head wrapped around all of this I realize I dont know anything lol.

I thought MakeMKV would give me the best results as all im doing is changing the container format and not losing data. But if i’m understanding correctly, thats just not what Plex was built around and encoding over to H264 would be the better choice? Quality was most important to me as I have plenty of storage. MakeMKV was also fast not having to encode to something different.

I’ll do some testing using Handbrake and see if I can improve some of the problems areas of certain movies that i’m seeing and report back. Typically the problems arise in scenes that might be showing a large area like mountains or lots of trees. The pictures seems pixelated with horizontal lines skipping around. Fast scenes are also a problem. If you have any setting suggestions, let me know.

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it could be the decoder plex uses… since it is mpeg 2.

you could try to play the mkv file with this Download K-Lite Codec Pack Mega

or vlc to see if you notice the same problems.

sorry for my stupid remarks earlier, i wasnt paying attention enough

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No worries.

I tried VLC without any perceivable improvement.

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Some things to check:

In the Shield Plex app settings: Refresh Rate Switching and Resolution Switching

I’ve the 2015 Shield Pro and have both enabled.

The Shield sends the video at its native refresh rate and resolution instead of trying to scale it.

Having the TV adjust the refresh rate and scale the video might help with any tearing/pixelation/etc. Basically, the TV might be better at it than the Shield.

Caveat: The 2019 Shields have AI upscaling (a Shield, not Plex, capability), which seems pretty nice from what I’ve read. That might be better than letting your TV upscale the video.

Shield Settings:

Check the display settings for the Shield itself. Device Preferences -> Display and Sound -> Advanced Display Settings

Mine has a “Match content color space” option. It is enabled. This helps with displaying non-HDR video on HDR capable displays.

I can leave my Shield display mode set for “10-bit Rec 2020 HDR10 Ready” and it will auto adjust when playing non HDR video, such as that from DVDs (which uses Rec 709).

TV HDMI Input Settings

On my LG, each HDMI input can be configured independently of the others. Also, all the “enhancements” that TV manufacturers like to include are enabled by default, giving everything the dreaded “soap opera” effect.

If the Sony is the same, check the HDMI input settings where the Shield is connected. Make sure the color/brightness/etc settings are as desired.

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I agree that reencoding is worthwhile, because support for MPEG2 isn’t as consistent as support for H.264/AVC.

Try Handbrake’s HQ 480p30 Surround preset. Also enable the Web Optimized checkbox.

I wanted to clarify this point slightly.

When done properly, any letterboxing or matting will be cropped out. Handbrake will do this automatically 99% of the time.

But the video will still be “anamorphic”, meaning it’s stored and presented with different pixel aspect ratios. That’s correct and shouldn’t be disabled.

Agreed, and I wonder if that telecine/pull-down in the MPEG2 could be contributing to the playback issue.

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Telecine/pull-down issues typically result in stuttering or hickuping…
On the shield I would turn off all image enhancements and scaling and see if that improves anything. I deff think the issue is a setting/s in the Nvidia shield. I am still tinkering with mine to find the best options.

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