Noticeable video quality playback issues with Plex on various devices

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

Ok so this is more of a verification that it is a question of server video quality settings. Here’s my setup. I have a desktop that is more than powerful enough to handle local network server (AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, 16gb ram, NVidia GeForce GTX 1650, B450 Tomahawk MS-7C02). Here is what I noticed about video quality.

Source: Locally stored movie Sixteen Candles MP4 total bitrate 2144kbps, file size is 1.46gb.

Scenario(s):
On my Samsung TV:

When I watch movie on Firestick Plex App, in not a considerable amount of video quality issues, fuzzy areas of the screen as the movie is being played. almost like the transcoding is having hard time or something, (please take my verbiage with a grain a salt as I’m merely trying to explain what I’m seeing).

Now when I play same movie on Samsung Plex installed the quality appears fairly better but I can still some video quality issues.

For giggles and grins I install Jellyfin on Firestick. The same movie is VERY crisp with VERY VERY little to none video quality issues.

Scenario:
Roku TV

I have a different firestick on this tv… I also see the same issue between firestick plex app and jellyfin app on this firestick

Roku Plex app again show a little better but again you can still see some fuzzyness throughout the screen. Not as clear as jellyfin.

I have looked at the settings and the Video Quality = Maximum, Transcoder = Make My CPU Hurt, User Hardware Acceleration = Enabled… I have tried adjusting these to see if I could make a different but it doesn’t…

Can anyone let me know if they are seeing the same type of video quality in movies? Or maybe let me know if there is known quality issues with these apps for the certain devices? Thanks in advance…

NOTICE: i just saw a server update. I will post this, perform update and get back with you ASAP… May take a while but I will post my results form this update one way or another.

UPDATE: this recent update didn’t help, the video quality is still fuzzy.

[JuiceWSA]

Start Playback, Open Plexweb and check the Dashboard Details.
You’ll probably see that the crappy video is being Transcoded.
Figure out why and you’ll see better media.

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

Ok so i see this:
1080p (H.264) (hw)

SD (H264)—Transcode (hw)

Not to sound so naive but how do i ‘figure out why’…?? Any suggestions? I’m not a plex settings guru so i’m not as savvy as probably most of you.

Thanks in advance.

[JuiceWSA]

Grab a screen of that: F-11 then hold Alt and press Printscreen.

Then paste it in a message with hold Ctl press V.

There is info on that screen that may help us:

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

Ok guys, I just played with a few settings. I see direct play from the server/computer:

BUT when I use firestick i get the message:

any suggestions on this fix?

[JuiceWSA]

The Quality Setting in the FireTV Plex App (Sidebar, scroll all the way down) should be:
Adjust Automatically - Off
Home Streaming - Maximum
Play Smaller Videos… - On

What does the dashboard show when that file is playing on the FireTV?

The Dashboard is where the server will show what it’s doing for anything that it’s playing on any device.

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

the bottom image is the tv Plex App on firestick… the dashboard shows transcodeing at previous chat shows…

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

i have ‘reset’ the following:
Adjust Automatically - Off
Home Streaming - Maximum
Play Smaller Videos… - On

[JuiceWSA]

Right… Note: ‘Indirect’.

That means that something about the WiFi the Stick is connected to is wonky.
By Wonky I mean I don’t have a clue what it could be, but there is no Direct Connection possible between the WiFi the stick is connected to and the server.

Plex is making the connection through a Remote Relay Connection - and that is going to really blow. Goats.

You need more advanced network support.

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

ok i’ll start attacking from that angle. thanks for the direction ;)…

[JuiceWSA]

Also note the Exclamation Point on the Device Icon in the Dashboard.

When that goes away you should be Directly Connected to the same network the server is on.

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

Just to help out on a bit for info… i did reboot my router. The firesticks ( both Roku tv and Samsung tv ) now show direct play. So you were right, something with the network on the router. I know this will be like comparing apples to oranges when i say this, but weird how Jellyfin had no issues but Plex did.

[JuiceWSA]

Does Jellyfin connect to a Mother Ship on a Secure Hookup?
I don’t know, but Plex does and since we know that:
Set the Server Security (Settings/General) to ‘Preferred’ not ‘Required’ or ‘Disabled’. Set Each Client Device App to 'Fallback to Insecure on Local Network Only. Then, when the internet, or Plex.tv goes down temporarily you can still play local media with your Device Apps without interruption.

Anywho - glad it’s sorted.

[SE56]

Apparently Jellyfin does not require a internet connection.

The only need for an internet connection as far as Jellyfin is concerned, is to gather metadata and artwork during the file scan - once this is done, you can completely disconnect from the internet and it’ll work happily ever more (though you’ll want to connect to the 'net again if you add more files and want to get the metadata and artwork for them).

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

@JuiceWSA

Server Security (Settings/General) to ‘Preferred’

Just fyi… It is set to Server Security (Settings/General) to ‘Preferred’. But the App Client setting to ‘local’ i have not seen this setting yet, I’ll have to go digging for that. I did do some research on being able to watch my local plex movies by contacting support as well at one point in time in the past and it is ‘working’ if the internet goes down. I’m just not sure if I have set it up right cause when the internet goes down, the only person that can log into plex app on device is the last person that was logged into it before the internet drop. I have multiple users setup but only that one person shows up if internet is down. hahahaha. But it DOES work. . I’m obviously still learning about Plex configurations. Server and Client configs. And now learning more about network details more. hahaha. Thanks again for the help and direction.

[JuiceWSA]

Each client app has that setting. It’s called:
“Fallback to insecure on local network only”

If each client isn’t set to that - they can’t work when the internet goes down and when the internet goes down they can’t be set - you must do that now - while you have internet.

[tazzin5_gmail_com]

JuiceWSA, that is good info… so sorry for the delay in response. I think I’m good on this now. I need to head over to another thread about the Forced Subtitles and see if I can get that working.
Thanks again.

[JuiceWSA]

We’re batting 1000…