No need transcoding

[MrSaulman]

Plex server version: 4.22.2
Plex for windows: latest available

Hi guys, I was wondering why my Plex media server is transcoding when it doesn’t need to. I often see that it transcode from H264 to H264 and I’d like to understand why and how to avoid that.

The problem is from remote connection. I tested it with my cousin and he have all the settings good (internet streaming video quality set to maximum, direct play and direct stream checked).
Server side, I have set the limit remote stream bitrate to “original (No limit)”, and upload speed to 19 mbps, which is my actual speed (and more than enough to let him stream directly. Tested with 720p and 1080p)

In log files I found this:

Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] WARN - Streaming Resource: Bandwidth exceeded: 30752 kbps > 15200 kbps
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - MDE: Selected protocol http; container: mkv
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - MDE: analyzing media item 104469
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - MDE: E7 - Capitolo sette: Verso la verità: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - MDE: E7 - Capitolo sette: Verso la verità: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264/dca
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - MDE: E7 - Capitolo sette: Verso la verità: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264/ac3
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - MDE: True Detective - S1 E7 - Capitolo sette: Verso la verità: selected media 0 / 104469
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - Streaming Resource: Calculated bandwidth of 30081kbps exceeds bandwidth limit. Changing decision parameters provided by client to fit bandwidth limit of 15200kbps
Mar 26, 2020 13:59:18.552 [15964] DEBUG - Streaming Resource: Determining preferred transcode encoders through transcode only decision.

I see the warning and it seems to have some kind of bandwidth limit set to 15200 kbps, but I don’t understand the reason and how to avoid it.

[pl_5309]

Because 15200 kbps is 80% of 19 Mbps which is built into the streaming logic to minimize buffering which is what will happen when you saturate your uplink. Plus you are trying to play a 30 Mbps file.

[MrSaulman]

Thank you.
Do you think is possible that a 720p video have a so high bitrate? And how can I see this information on the file, to be sure about it?

Actually I tried to play the same content on my smartphone with the app and internet 4G, and it played directly. So I don’t think the content per se is the problem, maybe my cousin’s device is. But since is a windows laptop, with the latest Plex for windows, I wonder how it could be worse than my smartphone

[JuiceWSA]

Make sure the remote client app’s Remote Quality Setting is at maximum.

If the file is too fat - it’s too fat.

Install this thing - and as you roll over video files in your library you’ll see some info on them - and you can inspect them in more detail with a right click:

https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download

When you inspect the details you can Ctl-A/Copy and paste that to a message window - if you need to - like now.

[MrSaulman]

Hi, thank you for reply.
As I said, the remote client app’s Remote Quality Setting is set at maximum.

I downloaded the software mediaInfo and scanned the movie that Plex was transcoding (Deadpool), and I found this information in video section:

Bit rate : 6 994 kb/s

In Plex log instead, this is the Warning I found:

WARN - Streaming Resource: Bandwidth exceeded: 16552 kbps > 15200 kbps

UPDATE: I tried a couple more tests with the movie on my smartphone and now plex is transcoding. If I raise up the limit upload connection (tried to put it to 30, which is not of course. Max it reaches 20 mbps), then the video is going in direct play, and apparently withouth any problem. (but I just watched a couple minutes)