Plex server direct play buffering on Synology

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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Server Version#: 1.19.5.3112
Player Version#:
I have Plex server running on Synology DS418play, connected over Gigabit Ethernet to NVIDIA Shield 2019.

My issue - UHD 4k MKV movies in general, but especially those with DTS MA or DTS X (i.e. heavy) soundtracks buffer/stutter severely during playback. My entire chain is 4k and DTS compatible. The video and audio show up as Direct Play in Plex Web, but I still get buffering. The NAS network utilisation is not overloaded, when I check in the NAS monitor.

To test, I mounted the NAS as a network share in the Shield and pointed Kodi on the Shield at the shared folder. Works like a charm. No issues whatsoever, playing the same files that give an issue on Plex.

Why should Plex Direct Play be unable to handle something on the same setup that Kodi is able to? I would prefer to use Plex as I greatly prefer the interface and the library features, etc.

Any tuning or other tips appreciated. I think it’s probably the Plex Server “overhead” or some performance issues with the Plex client. Thanks.

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Bump…

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Something that you will hear from others too : (debug) logs , logs, logs.
Comparing KODI with Plex is off course like apples & oranges

You need to activate debug logging to understand why your specific file fails to do “Direct Play” for example.

Enable Debug
Recreate the problem.
Wait 5 minutes.
Download a full set of logs
Drop the zip file on a message window. <—with a complete client log capturing the event.

5

Thanks for the replies. Please find the logs and the xml attached

Plex.txt (55.3 KB) Plex Media Server Logs_2020-08-11_20-47-27.zip (1.4 MB)

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I don’t know whether its apparent but the Plex player on the NVIDIA Shield crashed after intermittent stuttering.

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Verbose logging was not enabled.

Plex server is claimed, I don’t see any unclaimed server in Plex Web. Will check out how to do the Jumbo frames recommendation.

Thanks.

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Also, the inability to contact Plex.tv shouldn’t affect local playback, no?

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Thanks. Just to confirm, you want me to enable the “Set MTU value manually” checkbox and choose 1500 as the MTU value?

13

Ok…

Well, currently the “Set MTU value” checkbox on the DSM is disabled.

15

Ok, the router MTU is set to 1492

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Hi again,

  1. Didnt need to claim the server - no notification
  2. Played the movie this time no stutters. Good news.
  3. Played a different movie - no stutters there either.
  4. Above results based on 15 minute periods, but in the past that was sufficient to surface the problem.
  5. Essentially, all that’s happened has been rebooting the router.

Attaching the logs and XML
Plex Media Server Logs_2020-08-11_22-55-48.zip (1.5 MB) jp.txt (56.0 KB)

I will test some more - watch another movie :slight_smile: and post back.

Thanks a ton for all the help so far, appreciated.

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No, I’m positive I saved changes after enabling. Will have another go at it in the morning and post back. It’s about midnight here now, so about to zzzz. Thanks, will ping you when I post again.

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Ok, I must have goofed up. I will run the same process again tomorrow and report back. Thank you for your assistance and will ping you tomorrow.

Have a nice day.

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