Plex Web Transcoding When Playing from Local Plex Server

General Discussions
1

Hey Guys -

I watch much of my media on the same system Plex Server (PMS) is installed upon - mostly from the web interface. When doing so, though; Plex is transcoding the media. Titles that play with hardly any resource usage in VLC use lots of resources for PlexTranscode when playing in Plex Web. How can I get it to directly play? Below are my settings which I’d think would be related. Do any logs tell why it decides to transcode by chance?

General Information

  • Plex Server: 1.12.1.4885
  • Windows 10 x64
  • Local IP is statically set to 192.168.0.25
  • Accessing Web via Chrome
  • Have issue if I access Plex Web via 127.0.0.1, 192.168.0.25, or custom domain name I use and have custom 3rd party cert installed for

Plex Web Settings

  • Video Quality: Maximum
  • Automatically adjust based on connection: Tried enabled and disabled

Plex Server Settings

  • Transcode Quality: Prefer higher speed
  • Secure connections: Preferred
  • Enable server support for IPv6: Disabled
  • LAN Networks: 192.168.0.1/24
  • Allowed without Auth: 192.168.0.1/24
  • Enable HTTP Pipelining: Enabled
  • Webhooks: Enabled

Thanks!!

2

The ability to direct play has nothing to do with where the media files are. It depends on the Web browser’s ability to play specific video and audio codecs. Web browsers do not have a wide range of codecs they support so often things have to be transcoded to be playable in a web browser. You can test this by dragging the file from your file explorer window into your browser. If the file plays, then Plex will direct play it. However, if you get the option to download the file, then Plex will need to transcode it.

VLC is a stand alone video and does not have the restrictions of a web browser. Try using Plex Media Player, which is Plex’s stand alone video player. This will have similar results to using VLC. There is also a desktop mode which is Plex Web running within the PMP media engine and will offer the same codec support.

3

Thanks for the reply and explanation - it makes sense. I’ll give the player a shot instead. Thanks!!