Server Version#: 1.40.0.7775
Player Version#: Latest Plex-Preview
I recently noticed the picture quality wasn’t what it used to be (LiveTV).
After looking at the dashboard I noticed the server was transcoding. It’s ALWAYS sent MPEG2 direct to my ROKUs.
I checked the ROKU setting and it had allow MPEG2 checked. I also tried checking Force Direct Play. No change. Yes, I restarted the player with each change. I could see the stream stop and restart on the server as shown.
Did something recently change in the ROKU Plex app or elsewhere?
I’m on version 7.13.9 on my Roku Premiere (4620). In that version, in Settings → Video, there’s an option “Experimental 1080p MPEG2.” Enabling that allowed 1080i MPEG2 to be direct-streamed (no transcoding) in my environment. Maybe give that a try on yours? (Without it enabled I see the same behavior as you describe.)
Agreed this is likely the issue, specific to the 1080i channels (720p streams fine without transcoding). If you enable the experimental feature in the app settings on your roku, I bet your transcoding will stop, but beware you might see the same “seeking” issues that I’ve seen. Fast forwarding and rewinding became very unreliable and would sometimes jump to the beginning or jump to live (devastating if you’re watching a live game on a delay). Curious to hear your results @Smokindog.
I use all ROKUs so I can’t comment on any other devices.
FF and rewind have been wonky since day 1 of LiveTV! Been reported dozens if not 100’s of times. Someone from PLEX says it’s fixed, someone who feels the need to comment agrees, PLEX closes the thread and the process repeats. There was one thread alive for 2 or more years until PLEX began the process of closing them.
It also applies to joining broadcast others may be watching in other rooms and/or are being recorded where you get sent to the point in time when the viewing and/or ANY recording began on the other device, which could be 2 or 3 shows and an hour or more in the past.
For instance, my wife usually goes to bed before me and watches a couple programs on Channel X, falling asleep with the TV on Channel X. I go to watch a program on channel X about 90 minutes later and I begin viewing from the time she turned on her TV. Been that case for YEARS!
