I’m not an expert on Plex log analysis, but generally speaking I’ve found the “Plex Media Server.log” file in the zip that downloads is the most useful log file to start investigation - and also the only log file I’ve needed to look at in most cases. It will be easiest if you grab your logs shortly after the recording (should have) finished since Plex does rotate the logs. This log file has a date/time stamp on each line entry in the log, so typically look at the time that the recording started and ended. If you are using comskip you will have to look later also when comskip finished running. My Plex is on Linux, but if you are Win and the log file looks like one continuous run on line in Notepad then try Wordpad instead. It’s caused by a difference with end of line characters that Notepad can’t handle.
If this log file has rotated you may need to look at the older logs in the zip, that will be named “Plex Media Server.1.log”, “Plex Media Server.2.log”,etc to get to the right timeframe.
Generally speaking, while recording is in progress Plex puts the file in a “.grab” directory that is a subdirectory of where you have set your recordings to be placed. Then at the end of the recording, or after comskip finishes running if you are using it, Plex will move the file from .grab to the final location for the recording.
I’ve found searching for “.grab” in the logs is useful because it generally is referenced at the start of a recording and at the final file move for the recording. Also search for the name of the show you are focusing on analyzing. I’m not good enough at Plex log analysis to be more specific, but I’ve always been able to get to the root of my problems in the logs with a little patience.
I do transcoding on my HDHomeRun Extend tuner while watching live TV/recording without issues, and appreciate the file size reduction, but in device settings my transcoding is described as “Transcoder Quality”. Since yours is labeled “Convert Video While Recording” I think you must have a different tuner. I’d suggest also posting what tuner model you are using.
Also, look at your tuner’s logs (on your tuner device if it has this capability, not the Plex logs) to make sure it is showing the tuner changing to the right station, and that it is maintaining the connection and tuning for the expected period of time. For my HDHomeRun Extend I can get to the logs by pointing a web browser at the IP address for my Extend, and then navigating the Extend’s web interface.
If a Plex employee sees this stream they may investigate, and 99.99% of the time will ask you to post logs. Click here to get info on posting logs. and here for reporting issues.
Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps…
