I would like to create optimized versions of large portions of my library since my server’s CPU turns out to have a passmark score of about 8K and I have friends who remotely view stream content so I could easily have 2 or even 3 streams at once. That many on-the-fly transcodes could be a problem.
My question is when I request Plex to optimize a large number of files to make (for example) 20 Mbps 1080p versions to play without transcoding, if a file is already of a codec and bitrate that Plex can stream without on-the-fly transcoding will it know to skip optimizing that file or will it just create one regardless?
If a file has streams that satisfy the optimizer, they’ll just be remuxed into the optimized version, instead of being transcoded.
But it’s picky and looks at container/dimensions/bitrate/video codec/codec level+profile/audio codec/audio channels/extra audio tracks/subs/extra subs/etc.
So chances are high that many will be transcoded.
Check what settings your remote clients are using. Chances are that Universal TV, 8Mbps, 1080p is OK quality, and you may want a second Universal Mobile, 3Mbps, 720p version to meet the default streaming quality settings.
