Same file is Direct play to remote users and Transcoding on local network

General Discussions
1

I’m having trouble Direct playing files locally. Totally clueless why this is happening.
PMS Version 1.6.1.3722 (win7 x64 12gb ram, AMD 1100T 3.7ghz)
Both the remote client (my dad) and myself locally each have a Roku 4 both with Plex 4.4.1

He is wirelessly connecting to his router 40 miles away and is on Direct Play
I am on an internal LAN hardwired in cat5e with gigabit switches and either in Direct Stream or Transcoding to the local server on the interal subnet

Can someone explain how this occurs with the same file?

2

What is the audio for the local Roku set to? If it is set to stereo, that will cause transcoding of files with only 5.1 tracks.

3

Auto for everything

4

Yes, but what does the “auto” say next to it? It should say something like Dolby D, DTS…or stereo. Sometimes the Roku can incorrectly identify what the target device (AVR/TV) can support. Bear in mind that I’m not speaking of any settings within the Plex app. The Roku audio settings are out in the main roku menus under “settings”, “audio”.

5

Auto Stereo and Auto detect

6

Assuming that file you are playing is AC3 5.1…your Roku being set to stereo is the reason that it is being transcoded. Your dad’s Roku is likely set to allow dolby digital…which enables that file to be direct-played.

7

@DFury said:
Assuming that file you are playing is AC3 5.1…your Roku being set to stereo is the reason that it is being transcoded. Your dad’s Roku is likely set to allow dolby digital…which enables that file to be direct-played.

But even on auto it transcodes?

8

Yes. As it stands right now, your Roku is configured to request/pass stereo audio. When you use the Plex app to play a movie with only a 5.1 AC3 track, the app is going to request that the Server transcode that AC3 5.1 down to stereo AAC. It does this because the main Roku’s settings indicate that the TV/AVR/etc that the Roku is connected to does not support AC3 5.1.

If your TV/AVR does, in fact, support AC3 5.1…you’ll need to go into your main Roku settings and manually set them to “Dolby Digital”. It will then attempt to direct-play that file.