Server Version#: Version 4.22.3 (last week)
Player Version#: Roku Ultra
Hi,
I am trying to get surround sound working properly on my Roku Ultra. It has been transcoding my AC3 5.1 sound in AAC stereo. I am ripping TV shows from dvd and am trying to get it right before I do all the work.
I am using AC3 5.1 passthru on Handbrake because I read that Roku Ultra cannot support multichannel AC3.
It was transcoding video and audio. I turned on Force Direct Play on my Roku, and suddenly I was getting 5.1 sound! Great!!!
The only problem is, if I turn on subtitles (embedded in the mp4), the VIDEO will direct play without transcoding, but the AUDIO TRANSCODES! So weird! Is there any way to fix this, or is this a bug?
I don’t want to burn-in the subtitles with Handbrake because the library is shared with the in-laws who don’t like subtitles.
It appears to be a bug in the Roku app. It is transcoding when it doesn’t need to when AC3 audio is present. I tried it on the Android Plex mobile app, and it worked beautifully with subtitles and no transcoding of AC3 5.1 audio. I am guessing it converting it inside the mobile app.
I have a feeling volume mode may be enabled on the Roku. During playback, press the * menu and make sure to disable volume leveling. When it’s enable, it causes the Roku believe it can only support stereo output which causes the audio to be converted to 2ch audio.
If this is not the case, please follow the steps below.
Open the Plex channel
Enable remote logging in the settings
Make sure Direct Play is set to auto
Start playback of the item
Wait until the playback starts, and stop it.
Disable remote logging
Report back with the time/timezone after test is complete.
Aw nuts, you were right. Levelling was turned on. I am to blame, I changed that last week. Now I can have subtitles AND surround sound. Thanks so much for your time.
PS: I tried turning levelling back on in mid-playback, and it was still direct streaming surround sound. Thanks again.
It will do that - until you start the stream again - then the audio transcodes.
Oh yea, once the audio is transcoding, you must disable the feature, stop and restart the stream.
That Roku Feature has no real use unless your audio is AAC 2.0.
It is designed to level blasting audio during injected advertisements.
(no matter what ‘they’ say - and they’ll say just about anything)
Best to leave it off while in Plex - it causes more problems than it
cures. <—but it might actually have a use - if you’re watching items that have injected advertisements in them - Plex Movies and TV.
Someone will have to try that and let us know. It won’t be me…lol
