Setup:
- PMS running on Nvidia Shield
- Shield also being used as Plex client
- Media stored on Synology NAS, which has been mounted to Shield
- Everything is connected via Cat-6 Ethernet
Shield Model: P2897 (The 2017 version, not Pro)
Version: 7.0
SHIELD Android TV SW Version: 6.3 (Even though I just joined the Shield Experience Preview, I still don’t have 7.0 available)
Plex Server Version: 1.13.2.5149 (latest version on Google Play, have also tried uninstalling updates, no difference)
Plex Client Version: 7.0.3.5502 (Android TV latest version)
Test Files Information:
Episode of Futurama:
Size: 335 MB
Codec: H264 - MPEG-4 AVC (part 10)(avc1)
Container: .mkv
Audio: MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a)
Resolution: 720x480
It’s just s01e01 of Futurama if you’re interested. NOT at all a large file.
Behavior: Stutter -> stop as described below.
BluRay rip of Deadpool (2016):
Size: 7.65 GB
Codec: H264 - MPEG-4 AVC (part 10)(avc1)
Container: .mkv
Audio: DTS Audio (dts)
Resolution: 1920x808
Behavior: Stutter -> stop as described below.
BluRay rip of The Wolf of Wall Street:
Size: 3.43 GB
Codec: H264 - MPEG-4 AVC (part 10)(avc1)
Container: .mp4
Audio: MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a)
Resolution: 1920x800
Behavior: Also stutters then slows to a stop after 1.5 minutes. NOTE this was actually a total surprise - this was supposed to be my “control” test because it’s a .mp4, doesn’t use a weird codec or anything. It seems plex and/or my shield are really struggling to play any kind of video currently.
I think my Shield is having issues playing/decoding MKV files. It doesn’t appear to be Plex issue, but I’ll let someone correct me on that if I’m wrong. This is the general flow of how this error goes for me:
-
Play a .mkv file on Plex. In this case, I’ve tried it with both an episode of Futurama, and a BluRay Rip of Deadpool (described above).
-
The video starts fine for anywhere from 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes, then slight skips/stutters become noticeable, then much more stuttering, and it slows the media down as well, to the point where it’s unwatchable.
-
While this happens, the Plex controls become increasingly unresponsive too. Attempts to pause the video or move my cursor (from the pause button down to the settings icon in the overlay, for example) are extremely slow.
-
Even Sheild controls unrelated to Plex, such as the home button on the remote, become unresponsive and take 5+ seconds to happen. Even after exiting Plex and going to the Shield home screen, the Shield slows to a halt until I unplug it to reboot.
NOTE: This behavior is reproducible for me any time I play a .mkv file. One un-repeated behavior was from the first time this happened - after going through the described behavior, I rebooted via the home menu options, and on reboot, the Shield gave me a message saying that my device may be corrupted (I’ve never touched the bootloader or firmware). This has never happened again since.
Am I wrong in assuming this should definitely not be happening? I thought that the Shield would be able to play .mkv and .mp4 files with no transcoding needed, so I’m really not sure what’s going on here. If I need to post Logs or Debug info, please let me know what info to provide and I’ll be happy to do so. This isn’t even 4K content, one of the Shield’s selling points. I’m honestly very frustrated with this kind of performance from a $200 device advertised as a Plex server and client.
Am I better off using a dedicated (beefier) machine as my Plex server and using the Shield as just a client, or would that not affect the issue at all because it’s a video codec issue? Thanks
EDIT: I should also note that any other client I’ve tried (one iPhone X and my Desktop) both play all three of the above mentioned video files just fine. It really seems to be an issue with either the Shield itself or the plex client, but the Shield as a plex server is working for my other clients in the house.
