Starting to plan out a new server build for when I am ready. I would like to be able to play 4k files and according to Plex Requirements “4K HDR (50Mbps, 10-bit HEVC) file: 17000 PassMark score (being transcoded to 10Mbps 1080p)”.
What sticks out to me is “being transcoded to 10Mbps 1080p”
Will Plex NOT play in 4k if it’s a 4k video file?
It will depend on the client, display type and how the video and audio are encoded in the file you’re asking Plex to use.
If the client will play the video and audio natively and the display types are compatible (e.g. you’re not trying to play an HDR file on an SDR display) then there is no transcoding and the server just sends the bits along to the Plex client.
For example, Apple TV 4K natively supports HEVC/10bit/4K files just fine so the Plex server just sends that data with little to no CPU used.
This of course is assuming local playback and not remote which again, may or may not require transcoding depending on bandwidth in addition to everyone else already mentioned.
Note: I don’t use subtitles and those will add an additional layer of complexity.
Keep in mind there are generally 2 components to 4k/hdr…
the video, and the audio.
to direct play (no transcoding) your client(s) must be compatible with both the video stream and the HD audio stream (ie atmos/truehd/dtsx/etc).
Further, for HD audio you need an actual receiver that supports that hd audio.
the appletv 4k may support 4k video, but the I’m not sure the audio stream compatibility is as clear cut.
the nvidia shield is other main plex client that can handle just about any 4k video and HD audio stream.
Finally, even though you can assemble a server with the power to transcode 4k/hdr, it is mainly pointless because plex does not do any HDR to SDR color mapping, so the video is often washed out.
the TLDR summary;
you should not want or try to transcode 4k, you should make sure you have the clients that can support 4k and the media in the applicable format your chosen clients can direct play.
you will still need or want 1080/720 for non-4k and remote clients.
the best solution is to keep 4k in separate plex libraries, that way you can prevent remote users from even seeing the 4k (thus preventing waste resources trying to transcode them down to smaller files).
That of course depends. I play (and serve) 4K content without transcoding regularly.
Got it, thanks all! maybe I will not build a new server after all. My current one is doing fine, I wanted to be able to play 4k. Tried and it could not handle the transcoding. Will turn my attention to the clients I have, Samsung TV and Roku.
So…
If I download a 4k video file, put it on a USB stick, plug it into the TV, and it plays on the TV. That means the TV can play the file and Plex wouldn’t have to transcode that same file if I put it on Plex?
I just went and bought a Shield. Man that thing is the bees knees. 4k plays without transcoding just fine, thanks all!
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