Samsung TV always transcoding

[Buhli]

Hi guys

I hope somebody can help me here.

All my movies and tv shows are stored as MKV files.

Here the steps how I create the mkv files:

1. I use AnyDVD to create an iso (image) from the movie/tv shows.
2. With MakeMKV I create the mkv files
3. With FFMPEG I change the video codec to H.264

FFMPEG Command:
ffmpeg -i “T:\THE_BOY.mkv” -map 0:a? -map 0:s? -map 0:v -c:v libx264 -preset slow -tune film -crf 17 -c:a copy -c:s copy “T:\THE_BOY_1.mkv”

When I watch a movie on my smartphone or tablet, I see on the Plex server under the activities, that this movie (video and audio) can be played direct. When I watch the same movie on my Samsung TV, then plex has to transcode this movie.

My Samsung TV is a QE55Q7FN 4K, LCD, VA, 2018, 55". According to this page: 54.6" Samsung QE55Q7FN - Technischen Daten und Spezifikationen my TV should support the MKV container and the H.264 video codec.

I checked the Plex settings on my Samsung TV and there both options (direct stream and direct play) are enabled

I did an other test and copied the same movie on an usb hdd, pluged the usb hdd on my tv and there I could successfully watch the movie. So I think the movie (containter, codec etc.) should not be a problem.

But why does plex always have to transcode when I watch a movie on my Samsung TV.

The behavoir is the same when I skipped the 3. step (ffmpeg)

Thanks and best regards
Buhli

[JaysPlex]

That bitrate is kinda insane for a 480p h.264 file. That tells me something is not quite right with the way you’re creating these files

Go to the file inside Plex. Click the 3 dots on that video and select “Get info”

Copy all the file information in that box and post it here

I suspect under “Reference frames” you’re going to see a high number. A normal number would be something like 4
Is yours something like 16?

[Buhli]

Hi JaysPlex7

Thank you very much for your fast reply.

You’re right, the “Ref Frames” is 16. What that means exactly? Or how can I fix it?

Here all the media infomations from this movie:

Media
Duration 1:33:18
Bitrate 2084 kbps
Width 720
Height 576
Aspect Ratio 1.78
Video Resolution 576p
Container MKV
Video Frame Rate PAL
Video Profile high

Part
Duration 1:33:18
File THE_BOY.mkv
Size 1.36 GB
Container MKV
Video Profile high

Codec H264
Bitrate 1184 kbps
Sprache Englisch
Language Tag en
Anamorphic true
Bit Depth 8
Chroma Location left
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Coded Height 576
Coded Width 720
Color Range tv
Frame Rate 25 fps
Height 576
Level 4.0
Pixel Aspect Ratio 64:45
Profil high
Ref Frames 16
Scan Type progressive
Width 720
Display Title 480p (H.264)
Extended Display Title 480p (H.264)
Codec AC3
Kanäle 6
Bitrate 448 kbps
Sprache Deutsch
Language Tag de
Audio Channel Layout 5.1(side)
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Titel Surround 5.1
Display Title Deutsch (AC3 5.1)
Extended Display Title Surround 5.1 (Deutsch AC3)
Codec AC3
Kanäle 6
Bitrate 448 kbps
Sprache Englisch
Language Tag en
Audio Channel Layout 5.1(side)
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Titel Surround 5.1
Display Title Englisch (AC3 5.1)
Extended Display Title Surround 5.1 (Englisch AC3)
Codec VOBSUB
Sprache Deutsch
Language Tag de
Display Title Deutsch (VOBSUB)
Extended Display Title Deutsch (VOBSUB)
Codec VOBSUB
Bitrate 4 kbps
Sprache Deutsch
Language Tag de
Display Title Deutsch (VOBSUB)
Extended Display Title Deutsch (VOBSUB)

Thanks and best regards
Buhli

[JaysPlex]

Honestly, I’ve never used ffmpeg, so I’m not much help in that department. It could be something as simple as a missing dash/period or the entire command needs to be reformatted

I use Handbrake for encoding. It’s has a bit of a learning curve too but it’s got a more “Windows” type of feel to it with simple icons and easy to modify presets

If nobody comes by with a simple answer you might have to visit the ffmpeg forums or see what Google has to say about it. Reddit will have at least 400 different “solutions” but only 3 of them will fix it lol

[Buhli]

That’s really weird… I have different plex users. One for my wife and one for me. We always watch movies and shows on my plex user. My wife never use her one. Coincidentally, Earlier I logged in with my wife’s plex user and there i saw, all the movies and shows (I have tested a few) as played as direct.

How can this happend? Is direct play a plex user setting? Or is just my plex user buggy? Is there a way to fix it? a reset or something?

Thanks and best regards
Buhli