I have Plex Media Server on UnRAID, and about half of my HEVC files need to be transcoded to my new Roku 4, which causes CPU load to spike to 100% and playback to buffer repeatedly, even when I force Direct Play. However, when I play these same HEVC files from the Roku USB port on Roku Media Player, it plays fine, so I can tell it’s a Plex issue.
I’m attaching the contents of my log file, can someone please help me figure it out? Thanks!
It looks like this HEVC media has image based subtitles (VOBSUB) and they are selected. This will cause the Roku to transcode the video to burn-in the subtitles. Image based (PGS/VOBSUB) subtitles need to be burned in to work on the Roku. You should be able to “force direct play” as you mentioned before playback. That setting is not sticky once you back out of the preplay screen. Alternatively, you can selected alternative subtitles or “none” to fix this issue.
Thanks, that was it! Like they say, you learn something new every day…
So it’s not the embedding of the subtitles, because it seems that embedded SRT subs do not require transcoding?
@fersal said:
Thanks, that was it! Like they say, you learn something new every day…So it’s not the embedding of the subtitles, because it seems that embedded SRT subs do not require transcoding?
Right. Embedded or external subs are just fine. The issue is with image based subtitles. Roku doesn’t support images based subtitles, which is why the transcoding is required.
Another note, to make this more confusing, is that SSA subtitles will also be burned in to maintain the text style, but you can modify that setting in the Roku client settings. I’d suggest to probably change the “Burn Subtitles” preference in the video settings to “Only Image Formats”. That will give you your best bet on Direct Play with subtitles, unless they are image based.
