Server Version#: 1.20.1.3252 / 1.20.5.3600
Player Version#: 5.4.2
TLDR: Similar to other threads I’ve seen, PS5 app is largely unusable. Network utilization while streaming via PS5 is HIGHLY suspect.
Both server and PS5 are hardwired GbE on same network with just a GbE switch between them. CPU/Memory load on server is basically non-existent (Ryzen 1700x, 32Gb RAM, Windows Server 2016). No other devices streaming at the same time.
First movie played fine (720p, Direct Stream). Second movie (480p) started having constant buffering issues after a few minutes of playback. Disabled Direct Play and Direct Stream had no effect. Tried a 3rd movie (1080p). Same deal as second. Worked fine for a few minutes, than just gets stuck buffering. Disabling Direct Play/Direct Stream had no effect. Quitting Plex on PS5
and relaunching had no effect. Both movies played fine via Plex Web in Chrome on Win10 PC on same wired network. Updated PMS (original/new version noted above), movie 3 again got a few minutes in, then just got stuck buffering.
Watching network throughput on server dashboard shows a VERY different (and highly suspicious) bandwidth pattern between Direct Stream on PS5 and Direct Stream on Win10 PC. Screen 1 is first ~2 minutes of movie playing via Chrome on Win10 PC. Screen 2 is same video time span, on PS5. 1m10s mark on screen 3 is where it just stalled out trying to buffer. Note that 0 video playback is happening at this point, but it’s still using ~300mbps of bandwidth. Screen 4 is after updating PMS and trying to play same movie again. Playback and network usage is normal for the first couple of minutes, then throughput shoots through the roof and buffering death cycle starts. I can resume movie from same point on PC and it continues playing fine.
300Mbps on a 480p transcode which SHOULD be streaming at ~3Mbps. It’s a 908MB file. At 300Mbps, the entire movie should have been transferred in 24 seconds which begs the question what the hell is is streaming?
For a test, you can literally just drop your source file on it and hit Start Muxing.
Sustained outrageous bandwidth usage sometimes mean the video and audio streams in the file aren’t interleaved well, and the client-side buffer/cache gets thrashed. I’ve seen this affect a couple of different TVs and the Apple TV 4K. Different devices handle this differently; maybe the PS5 implementation is currently sensitive to it.
That doesn’t make as much sense for your transcode example. I can’t explain that one - in my experience Plex’s transcoder produces well-muxed files. So it could be a red herring.
I’m having the same/similar issues with buffering. Oddly when I check the file on the PS5, the max rate is 8Mbps but it appears as though the server reports it at 13Mbps.
Same issue. Even 1080p files can not be played without stuttering (Direct Stream).
Xiaomi MiBox plays 4k without problem.
Plex server 1.22.1.4200
Plex 5.11.1.
5 months now since the PS5 was released and the Plex app is still trash! Buffering renders it totally frustrating and unuseable. Any updates asap would be appreciated. If a fix is not in the pipeline then at least I (we) can find other solutions and bin the PS5 Plex app.
Crazy that Plex don’t seem to be able to release clients that are capable at even the most basic level, went through this with PS3/4 and now 5. This time they say it’s Sonys fault but every other media app on my ps5 plays perfectly so I have doubt there.
Have given Plex over three hundred dollars since I started with Plex pass and boy, has the capabilities of the Plex team to fix issues that affect everyone who uses a client been really really terrible.
But I’m sure next month they will announce another feature no one uses.
yup all about adding new pointless features instead of getting their apps to work properly. Whether its android, IOS, xbox, etc countless playback/sync issues but hey least they added live tv no one watches!
Hi there. I assure you we are listening to your feedback and it is not being ignored. We’ve spent a lot of time investigating the reported playback issues on the PS5 and have been working with Sony on potential solutions. We are making good progress, but don’t have a solution available just yet.
Waiting for a while for a new update. Get excited to see changelog today and what the heck?? When will the stagger be fixed because anything you guys decide to add won’t be used bc plex on ps5 is UNUSABLE!
I have an update on this issue. A PlayStation 5 system update that will be available later this year should address the buffering issues some users are seeing. I’m sorry I don’t have a more concrete date for you, but it hopefully isn’t too far away now.
Update… that PS5 system update didn’t do the trick…
Server running on Docker on Synology DS1520+ server version 1.24.2.4973
PS5 running 20.02-04.00.00.42-00.00.00.0.1
Plex App on PS5 Client 5.23.1, Platform 4.00
Still getting the buffering / hanging on hevc 4k and 7.1 sound. Transcodes sound, direct streams video. Attempts at using profile files to force audio to direct stream failed.
Really hoping a resolution is in development, its been nearly a year of this console now, and to have plex non functional is not a great look
