PLEX hit or miss using HW decode/transcode with i3-9100

General Discussions Plex Features
1

I built a dedicated PLEX server recently with an i3-9100 (non-F, so it has iGPU) using the latest build of Windows 10. Before this I was using an old Lenovo i5-3470 with Quicksync HW enabled. That old Lenovo always used HW encode/decode for h.264 material and worked like a champ. It could stream 4-5 videos no problem. However, I repurposed that machine and decided to build this new server.

This new server seems to have a mind of its own. It will use HW encode/decode when it wants, for no reason. I have no idea why. Has anyone else experienced this? Any insight how to fix it?

I appreciate your time and any input!

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What version of PMS is installed?

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I’m remoting in from work, and think it’s Version 1.16.2.1321.

This has gone on for months. I’ve updated the PMS version a few times, with no luck.

4

you need plex pass for HW transcoding.

your forum name does not appear to have plex pass.

also, the latest plex release has a new transcoder (won’t make much difference without plex pass though).

5

I have a lifetime subscription to Plex Pass. I used my Facebook account to sign in here, as it auto logged me in.

6

ok.

try the latest PMS, i think is up to 1.17 something

(Transcoder) Support for hardware transcoding on Linux with Intel 9th-gen processors

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That’s talking about Linux; I’m running Windows. My PMS is from July 18th, so not really that old. This i3-9100 released in April. It’s just odd that 60-70% of the time, it will use HW, and then the rest of the time it just gives me the middle finger.

I’ll update the PMS when I get home to the latest and do a bunch of testing. Thanks.

1 Like
8

is this a headless windows, no monitor ?

is it logged in as a user and not remote desktop?

both of those cause problems with transcoding.

you may need to hook up a monitor, or use an hdmi dummy plug to simulate a monitor.

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Yes, it is headless and I always log in remotely from my main Win10 PC. In fact, I stay logged in most of the time so when I’m on my main PC, I can always jump into the PLEX server remotely. Very interesting.

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You can pick up an HDMI “dummy plug” at Amazon that will make the computer think it’s plugged into a monitor. They’re a big help.

Also the 1.17 does indeed have significant transcoder upgrades. It might help as well.

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Seems you will need a HDMI dummy plug and possibly stop using remote desktop (if that is how you’re accessing the system).

See this thread:

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I’ll give one a shot. It’s just odd that sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. I just tested it on my phone, and it is using HW to decode and encode right now. When I get home, I’ll remote it and test it, and then kill the remote connection and test it again. Then, the same after updating PMS. Something to mess around with until the dummy plug gets here tomorrow. Thanks!

13

Just anecdotal, but I’ve never had issues using remote desktop as long as the actual computer sees a monitor attached.

1 Like
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Yep I spend most of the day RDP’d into my server.
There’s no issue at all.

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