Plex firestick 4k max issues EAC3

Plex Players Streaming Devices
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Google tv playing the same movie with the same plex settings is handling the audio different.

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firestick 4k max logging.txt (190.2 KB)

logging: when the film doesn’t start on plex logo

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From your screenshots, the Google TV is saying that it does NOT support EAC3, so it has asked your server to convert the audio to opus.

The Fire TV does support EAC3. From your logs, it also says your TV supports EAC3. The app tried to direct play the file but something failed. This would indicate an issue between the Fire TV and your TV. Plex can’t identify the issue so it tries to fix it by transcoding the video, which also doesn’t work. This again points to something between the Fire TV and your TV, mostly the audio.

Try turning on passthrough in the app. Then in the main Fire TV audio settings, make sure the output is set to dolby digital plus.

If that doesn’t work, leave passthrough enabled, but try with the Fire TV audio settings at Dolby Digital or PCM. It’s possible your TV is incorrectly stating that it supports EAC3.

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I tried all settings with firestick plugged into my tv or receiver. End conclusing is that it’s impossible to let the movie start from the fire tv, i see the plex logo and it stops. But when i first start the movie on another device and resume playing on the fire tv there are no issues with playing the movie. Looks like the firestick sucks at reading audio compatibility with other hardware, but plex is ignoring the firestick settings even when it is set to PCM. Would help when plex had some manual settings for audio transcoding as the hardware can play the audio with correct transcoding but doesn’t detect it correctly.

Ps: need to mention i appreciate your help and effort

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FWIW, my FireStick 4K MAX handles Dolby Digital Plus just fine.

Some test results:

FireStick 4K Max ← HDMI → Denon AVR-X4300H ← HDMI → LG B7 OLED
Plex app v9.2.0.32520

FireStick Settings

  • Audio = Best Available (other choices are PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, & Dolby Digital)
  • Video Resolution = Auto (up to 4k Ultra HD)
  • Match Original Frame Rate = On
  • Color Depth = 10 bits ← matches TV
  • Color Format = Auto

Plex App Settings

  • Burn Subtitles = Auto
  • Passthrough = HDMI
  • Refresh Rate Switching = On
  • Resolution Switching = On

Play Blu-ray rip: H.264 video, TrueHD 7.1 Atmos audio.
Result: Video direct streamed; Audio transcoded by Plex Server to Opus 7.1. FireStick sends it to receiver as Dolby Digital Plus 5.1

Play Blu-ray rip: H.264 video, dts-HD MA 5.1 audio.
Result: Video & audio direct play, FireStick sends audio to receiver as Dolby Digital Plus 5.1.

Play: Blu-ray rip transcoded via Handbrake. H.264 video; Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 audio.
Result: Audio & video direct play. Audio passed to receiver as Dolby Digital Plus 5.1.

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Hi, thanks for the response. I tried all settings but i think my tv in combination with the firestick is the worse combination ever TV = Samsung UE40ES6140 don’t know why it isn’t transcoding the audio icm with the denon as the google tv is actually doing the same as in your situation. I think a manual setting in plex app for choosing the audio transcoding would be helping in situations like this. I think i’m stuck to the google tv till i buy a new tv. I will open a new forum item " need help to convince my girlfriend to buy a new tv":see_no_evil:

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This is the Fire TV Stick handling the work. Since the Fire TV has the capability to handle EAC3, that is what Plex is sending to it. The Fire TV then uses it’s own setting to control what goes to the TV/receiver. Somehow your Fire TV is unable to handle converting the EAC3 audio to whatever your TV/receiver wants. Lets try something else.

In the Plex app, change the passthrough setting from hdmi to optical. You will then see a new setting for Optical Encoding. In there, turn off EAC3/AC3. In the Fire TV settings, set the audio output to PCM. Now try playing something. If that doesn’t work, please send me the android log with this playback attempt.

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This is doing the trick


Fire tv audio setting:
Surround Sound = Best Available

Plex App settings:

Video Quality:
Adjust automatically = off
Home streaming = Maximum
Remote streaming quality = Maximum
Play smaller videos at original quality = ON

Advanced:
Passthrough Optical
Optical Encodings = none

With this settings only the audio will be transcoded. Same settings with HDMI will only display the plex logo and doesn’t start the movie.

Thanks for your help!!

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