Nvidia Shield TV pro 2019 - very slow Plex app since 8.2.1 firmware

Plex Media Server
20

Here the summary of my tests.

I transcoded a few movies in either MKV or MP4 container, using AAC or AC3 audio with various downmix, and with VOBSUB or none subtitles. For testing, I used either the Plex app on the Shield or the Kodi add-on as player, and the Shield Plex server or the NAS Plex server.

The results are straightforward:

  • In general remote or local , MP4 or MKV , with or without VOBSUB are always direct played without delay, on any player using any server.
  • The exceptions are:
    • On Plex app, remote MKV media are direct played with 30s delay , and MP4 + VOBSUB are transcoded (reason is Direct Play was attempted but failed, fallen back to transcoding).
    • On Kodi add-on, remote MKV media are direct played with 20s delay , or sometimes fail to play.

So, ignoring the glitch of VOBSUB + MP4 transcode, the only cause for 30s / 20s delay in my tests are whether files are local or remote for the Plex server. This only occurs for MKV files. So to avoid this delay, one must either use the NAS Plex Server when using MKV on the NAS, or store the MKV on the Shield filesystem when using the Shield Plex server (or wait for a fix on the Plex server of course…).

The related issue is Shield TV Beta - 20 to 30 second delay when playing media.

My setup:

  • NVidia Shield TV Pro, FW 8.2.1, Plex app 8.11.0.22186, Plex server app v1.21.1.3795.
  • Synology NAS, with Plex server 1.21.1.3830.