@MovieHouse007 - No, I run a QNAP TS-253A. I don’t think this issue is specific to one particular model.
Since Plex isn’t responding to this issue anymore, I thought I would dig into it a bit myself.
Here’s what I’ve found out so far:
- In version 1.17.0.1709 Plex introduced a new version of ffmpeg that apparently was needed for more features and fixes (subtitle encoding).
- The new version of ffmpeg is apparently what cause this issue.
- The main problem is that many of the low-end NAS servers run N-series Celeron/Pentium processors. These processors have the Intel Quick Sync Video (IQSV) that is needed for transcoding. However, they are the very early implementation of IQSV so they lack many features and their transcoding capabilities are marginal at best.
- It doesn’t seem like Plex can (or wants to) fix this, since it would essentially mean backing out the fixes and features and never moving forward with transcoding improvements.
- Regrettably, I’m stuck in the same boat as all of the rest of you. The way I see it is, I have three options. One, revert back to version 1.16.6.1592 and forego any future upgrades. That’s just not an option that I’m willing to pursue. Two, live with the annoying ~60 sec. crappy video, or three, build my own NAS box with a kick-ass processor. I’m not sure yet which way to go at this point.
If I’m off base on any of this please speak up Plex!
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well, this is bad to hear. Can we get any information from the Plex Team if this issue is actively worked on?
Yup, that would be nice. I did have some luck by simply disabling hardware transcoding. It basically got rid of the problem. However, using software trancoding will sharply limit how many streams can be transcoded at once. My processor (Pentium N3710) seems to be able to handle a single 1080p/h264 transcode without any problems so far.
sadly this is not an option for me, as my J4205 is not dedicated for plex. 
You wouldn’t have to disable it for your entire machine. Simply disable transcoding in the Plex settings. Just go in to the Plex Transcoder settings and uncheck the Use hardware acceleration when available box.
what i meant is, i cannot dedicate the CPU power only for plex. The other applications need performance, too. So i’m dependent on HW Accel.
Yeah, I know. If you uncheck the box I was talking about it should affect Plex ONLY! 
again, this is not a dedicated plex server. the cpu power is required for other tasks, i cannot afford to have the plex transcoder taking 100% of the CPU cores. The iGPU on the other hand is not used by anything else, so HW-Acc is the only posibility to use this machine as a plex transcoding server.
I see. When I’m transcoding my CPU only shows about 15-20% CPU load. You should try it and see if you can tolerate disabling H/W transcoding. Furthermore, I highly suspect that’s what’s happening anyway under the covers with Plex. I think it starts out trying to use H/W transcoding (the first 60 seconds of pixelation) then switched to S/W transcoding when that fails. That’s just speculation on my part however…
The problem described by the original poster (Broken Transcoding on QNAP) is being actively worked on here:
Corrupted video output stream with hardware transcoding
That is the message to bookmark while waitiing for a solution. This thread is dead.
Hey guys! Apologies for the delay. I have updated the links in my post here
These now use the older i965 driver for Apollo Lake processors which fixes the corruption issue when burning subtitles, and also includes a driver patch to fix the poor quality that is experienced during the for 30-60 seconds of playback, It also fixes the color conversion issue that some users experience when HW transcoding 10-bit media.
Please install build 1.18.7.2306-9bdf93750 linked in the post here and let me know if it solves your issues.
Hi
I found this thread, however I would like to ask you if this issue is related also to newer GeminiLake processor Celeron J4105,
I have NAS device,Asustor AS-5304T, (Celeron J4105, VGA intel UHD 600
and Server Version#: 1.18.4.2171
Player Version#: 4.19.2 Tizen Samsung UHD TV
I am facing issues with blurry picture (pixelation) when playing old movies (SD MPEG)
my original thread here.
Is somebody working also on this GeminiLake HW issues ?
@ander I think this build may also fix your issue. Can you please try this test build for ASUSTOR?
Excuse me, I am new in Ausustor, but you sent me link for apk file right ? this is for Asustor NAS , not for android ?
How can I install it manually ?
I was googling now but not found any related howtos.
A.
OK, I got it, let me check.
A.
OK, I Just checked this Version 1.18.7.2318
But image is still blurring 
when playing old movies ( SD MPEG4) with HW encoder
Hi @ander Can please please upload your Plex Media Server.log that cover your HW transcoding sessions?
Sure, Plex Media Server Logs_2020-01-29_13-27-34.zip (52.2 KB)
Here is my logs
