Note: All my movies/shows which are available in 2160p also have a 1080p mkv version alongside.
I have created one user for my mom and dad.
Their maximum downstream bandwidth is 40 Mbps, so they can’t direct stream 2160p content.
Due to this bandwitdh limitation PlexServer decides to transcode 2160p content to 1080p - instead of just (direct) playing the 1080p file.
How can I avoid that?
I want this remote user to always play the existing 1080p version, which can be direct streamed.
I do not want PlexServer to transcode the 2160p version to 1080p as that puts a lot of uneccessary stress on the server.
I told my mom and dad to use the “Play Version” option to choose the 1080p version, but they keep forgetting that.
You need to take in mind your upload speed too. Go to your remote access settings and set your upload speed and limit remote stream bit rate based on your upload speed taking in mind also the number of simultaneous remote streams . This will help plex select the correct version to stream.
I have 250Mbps up, that is not the issue.
The issue is that my parents only have 40Mbps down.
When my parents remember to use the “Play Version” option and select the actual 1080p file, they can direct stream movies/shows just fine without causing my server to waste energy transcoding 4k to 1080p.
Even tho I set bandwith limits on their end inside the AppleTV, PlexServer insists on transcoding the 2160p file to 1080p instead of just direct streaming the actual 1080p file that is present on the server.
Why does PlexServer transcode 4k to 1080p instead of just streaming the 1080p version?
This makes no sense at all. O.o
That will then limit it for everyone - which I do not want. This is just about the user for my parents.
PlexServer does not try to direct stream the 4k file, because it figured out that there isnt enough bandwitdh for that.
But why is it so dumb to transcode 4k to 1080p instead of just playing the 1080p file??? O.o
PITA or not, your best way is to create a UHD Movie Library and then control which libraries are visible to each remote user.
So manage each remote user with the Libraries of Resolution required. This way even in your own LAN and home users if required, there is control for your server load if some Trans coding is required for different player apps. There is even support in search for multiple resolution Titles in different Libraries.
I do understand having the option of having multiple Resolutions in one Library it’s tidy and easier to manage. One drawback being two posters for different Libraries may appear in Home when first added. A Work around most UHD Movies have special posters, so it looks very tidy. Add your UHD Library to home if required for a more direct approach.
Example:
Thank you for the sugesstion but this is madness.
When I browse my movies to find smth to watch I will not browse 2 different libraries, as not all my movies have a 4k edition.
This behaviour of PlexServer to transcode a 4k file to 1080p while the existing 1080p mkv could be directly played instead is just plain stupid.
Because you are telling plex to use the original on your end instead of limiting it to 1080p for remote users. I assume your remote TV is a 4K so it is being reported as such to server and is why the 4k file is picked. Once the stream starts it negotiates the bandwidth and the server sees it has to transcode the file. If you preset the remote stream to 1080p then it will use the 1080p file from the get go if it is available.
You need to determine what is more important to you, allow remote users to view your 4k movies if the bandwidth is available and risk a server bog because someone does not pick the correct version or just force all remote users to only watch 1080p versions. In my opinion If I am being nice and allow someone access to my libraries they get what they get and if they complain then no more access and they can go rent what ever they want to watch.
@c_holzer - I understand the frustration in Plex seemingly doing something it probably shouldn’t, and I agree that Plex should probably fix this, however you are going to have to face the fact that even if Plex do decide to fix this, it is likely to take quite some time before a viable solution is agreed, coded and released.
That means that you are also going to face the fact that you are now left with 2 choices…
Either leave everything exactly as it is, or…
Change something to make Plex work better for you.
I would suggest using the {edition} tag on the 4K edition to split the movie into 2, then add a Label on the 4K edition, and then finally exclude that label from the users view so that the 4K versions are then hidden from them.
That way, you get to control who can and cannot see the 4K editions and your server will never have to transcode them.
Here is an example…
Assuming you have both 1080p and 4K files in the same folder, add the following edition tag onto the 4K file… {edition-4K BluRay} then re-scan the library.
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You should now end up with 2 items of the same movie within your library and when you do, you can change the poster for the 4K version to make it more obvious to you.
Yes, I’m aware you may not like seeing 2 copies of the same movie in your library, but I have to remind you that you either change something or you don’t…
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I actually used to have separate entries for 1080p and 2160p, but with a large libary that makes browsing movies really cumbersome which is why I changed my libary to have only one entry for all available resolutions.
Furthermore this would not work for TvShows.
So I guess I will just keep reminding my parents to use the “play version” button and select the 1080p version - or get them to upgrade their internet to direct stream 4k.
The reason why I use an AMD EPYC Cpu is down to its PCIe Lane Count.
Plex is just one service running on that machine.
If there would have been an equally afforable intel CPU with the same amount if PCIe lanes and QuickSync, then I would have gone for that.
But all of that is besides the point.
The fact of the matter is that PlexServer does something wrong here, as it decides to transcode the 4k file to 1080p instead of just using the existing 1080p file.
When the user presses the “play” button, the user only tells the Server to play the movie/TvShow.
The user does not select a specific file in this step.
In the next step Plex Server does figure out that the available bandwitdh does not allow to direct stream the 4k file.
The next decision it makes is wrong, as it decides to transcode the 4k file to 1080p instead of playing the existing 1080p file.
There is no way to suggar coat this - PlexServer is making an error here as it has all the required information to select the 1080p file instead.
This makes me wonder if the “Optimized Versions” feature even works as that is very simmilar to this usecase.
Why would you want to limit all remote play to a lower resolution just because one user does not have the bandwitdh to direct stream a higher resolution?
PlexServer is able to determin the available bandwitdh of a client
PlexServer knows the various versions of the movie it has on disk
PlexServer knows the bandwith these versions require to play
It has all the imformation required to choose the ideal version of the content for playback.
This is even why the “optimized version” feature exists - to avoid uneccessary transcoding.
I personally chose to keep my 4K content entirely separate using separate libraries.
I agree this is somewhat of a PITA to maintain, but far better than having users initiate transcodes of 4K content, especially as my server will struggle with more than 2.
lol