Server Version#: plexmediaserver_1.18.9.2571
Player Version#: AppleTV
Ubuntu Linux server using Ubuntu Samba server connecting via CIFS. I’ve set the recursive permissions to 777. There does not seem to be an issue with file access, the scan is complete and everything works without warnings. Many other movies work without problems. All movies encoded with HEVC and using same naming format.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
DEBUG log ZIP file, captured immediately after attempting the playback attempt please?
Given it’s HEVC, Is the host server CPU HEVC-hardware acceleration capable?
I’m running it on an AMD Naples system and allocated 32 cores - but it is running on Hyper-V. I’ve just now enabled ‘Use hardware acceleration when available’ as an experiment, but it was not enabled prior.
Again, the strangeness is the seemingly random problem. All movies use same codec, in same location, same naming, etc…
Will get you the logs shortly.
Thanks
Another strange clue is that the movie which won’t start, WILL start playing when I reboot the Plex Media Server. It appears the buffering process never seems to complete.
Is there some place I can confidentially upload to logs to? Or perhaps you can tell me what specifically you are looking for?
Thanks.
Help me clarify all the information please?
Is this all correct?
Let me know if I can provide more specifics. Thanks.
If I may be candid, it sounds like you’ve made a very complex configuration.
You’ve got great processors but are choking them with the configuration.
Plex doesn’t support AMD CPU hardware acceleration at this time. We’re waiting for word from Engineering if/when they are going to consider it. Knowing that Engineering often doesn’t tell us everything, we might not know until it’s ready for testing. (they don’t reveal roadmap plans) 
To have your media in one VM and server in another is, forgive me, just nuts. It serves no purpose. You’ve mounted the media in the “Media VM” and then cross-mounted to the PMS VM? Why? You are far better served to have PMS mount the media directly and be done with it. Windows itself is choking your VM performance. There is no way to avoid that.
The EPIC CPU, if all threads and sufficient memory are brought to bare, will blast through HEVC without batting an eyelash. Depending on the actual bitrate, you’ll get one, maybe more. How many you get is directly proportional to the source bitrates → target H.264 bitrates required plus any audio transcoding and subtitle burning.
If you’re going to use Ubuntu, what’s the possibility of running it native? The alternative, which is actually BETTER, is to run PMS on windows natively if you can’t change the OS.
Thanks for getting back with me. Responses to your points:
But saying all of this, does the Plex Media Server assume local access in a way a mount point does not provide? Is your suggesting of combining the two partitions based on this? Can you explain what Plex is doing when making this assumption?
My initial research in Plex indicated that using an external NAS server was both supported and fairly common. That is effectively what I’ve configured - just virtually. But if this is not supported, I need to consider combining the Plex role on the media server role.
Thank you for any suggestions.
You’ve implemented it on Windows and placed a Linux guest in that VM is where you’re losing. You’re not going to get any hardware assist.
If you were to run the “media VM” (NAS) … that’s fine.
If you then ran PMS on the server itself, you will get better hardware performance and have whatever HW assist Windows can provide you.
Linux HW transcoding is behind what Windows can do in this case.
This is why I’m nudging you back to a Windows-based solution.
Understood. But would this cause the problem of certain movies not playing - even when there is only one user trying to play the movie? (no load at all).
Thanks.
In order to find out, we would have to recreate the test case.
When presenting the logs of that captured test case,
also having the XML of the video played will make stepping through PMS’s decisions and then understanding the outcome much easier.
Given you’ve stated that this has no apparent pattern, the networking (WiFi coverage bandwidth available versus needed ) is also a question unless it’s wired.
How do I generate the XML of the video? Is there a procedure you can send?
All networking is wired.
And weirdly the two videos I know about (Sonic being one of them) have now started playing correctly. The only thing that changed was what I mentioned previously when restarting the Plexserver. I still know of one other video which is exhibiting the problem, so we can use this for the XML.
Thanks.
Hover over the item
Expose the ellipsis
Click Get-Info
Lower left corner is “View XML”
The only portion needed is from <Media> -> </Media> tags of the XML.
paste the xml using
``` (back ticks)
Paste XML segment here
```
Looks like this when done
Paste XML segment here
</Media>
<Genre id="72" filter="genre=72" tag="Animation"/>
<Director id="66" filter="director=66" tag="Wolfgang Reitherman"/>
<Director id="67" filter="director=67" tag="Hamilton S. Luske & Clyde Geronimi"/>
<Writer id="33563" filter="writer=33563" tag="Bill Peet"/>
<Producer id="33564" filter="producer=33564" tag="Walt Disney"/>
<Country id="18308" filter="country=18308" tag="USA"/>
<Collection id="33565" filter="collection=33565" tag="101 Dalmatians (Animated)"/>
<Role id="69" filter="actor=69" tag="Rod Taylor" role=""/>
<Role id="70" filter="actor=70" tag="Betty Lou Gerson" role=""/>
<Role id="71" filter="actor=71" tag="J. Pat O'Malley" role=""/>
<Similar id="21984" filter="similar=21984" tag="Lady and the Tramp"/>
<Similar id="22243" filter="similar=22243" tag="Peter Pan"/>
<Similar id="22233" filter="similar=22233" tag="Pinocchio"/>
<Similar id="22242" filter="similar=22242" tag="Bambi"/>
<Similar id="33572" filter="similar=33572" tag="The Aristocats"/>
<Similar id="19409" filter="similar=19409" tag="Cinderella"/>
<Similar id="19719" filter="similar=19719" tag="The Jungle Book"/>
<Similar id="33573" filter="similar=33573" tag="Sleeping Beauty"/>
<Similar id="20532" filter="similar=20532" tag="Dumbo"/>
<Similar id="24577" filter="similar=24577" tag="Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"/>
<Similar id="22245" filter="similar=22245" tag="Alice in Wonderland"/>
<Similar id="20797" filter="similar=20797" tag="The Hunchback of Notre Dame"/>
<Similar id="20794" filter="similar=20794" tag="Pocahontas"/>
<Similar id="20796" filter="similar=20796" tag="The Little Mermaid"/>
<Similar id="20795" filter="similar=20795" tag="Tarzan"/>
<Similar id="28408" filter="similar=28408" tag="Robin Hood"/>
<Similar id="33574" filter="similar=33574" tag="The Sword in the Stone"/>
<Similar id="19752" filter="similar=19752" tag="Hercules"/>
<Similar id="33575" filter="similar=33575" tag="The Fox and the Hound"/>
<Similar id="20791" filter="similar=20791" tag="Lilo & Stitch"/>
<Review id="33566" filter="art=33566" tag="Variety Staff" text="While not as indelibly enchanting or inspired as some of the studio's most unforgettable animated endeavors, this is nonetheless a painstaking creative effort." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117793715.html?categoryid=31&cs=1" source="Variety"/>
<Review id="33567" filter="art=33567" tag="Dave Kehr" text="This was the last Disney animated feature (1961) that Uncle Walt lived to see through personally; it can't be a coincidence that it's also the last Disney animated feature of real depth and emotional authenticity." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.chicagoreader.com/movies/" source="Chicago Reader"/>
<Review id="22323" filter="art=22323" tag="Roger Ebert" text="If there's one thing that's absolutely first-rate about the film, it's the character of Cruella." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/101-dalmatians-1991" source="Chicago Sun-Times"/>
<Review id="33568" filter="art=33568" tag="Margaret Hinxman" text="The fairly long in the tooth child, through whose eyes most Disney dramas, live or otherwise, are seen, seems to have grown up Just a little; a fact which should please adults while not offending the young." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="https://archive.org/details/Sight_and_Sound_1961_07_BFI_GB/page/n51/" source="Sight and Sound"/>
<Review id="20528" filter="art=20528" tag="Matthew Lucas" text="One of the most striking Disney films of the classic era, with its almost impressionistic pencil drawings and dazzling use of color." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.fromthefrontrow.net/2015/02/blu-ray-review-101-dalmatians.html" source="From the Front Row"/>
<Review id="20853" filter="art=20853" tag="Rachel Wagner" text="It is just about perfect." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="https://rachelsreviews.net/2014/08/31/movie-17-101-dalmations/" source="rachelsreviews.net"/>
<Review id="24681" filter="art=24681" tag="Tim Brayton" text="One of the most entirely fun, entertaining of all Disney features." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="https://www.alternateending.com/2009/11/disney-animation-london-not-so-very-long-ago.html" source="Alternate Ending"/>
<Review id="33569" filter="art=33569" tag="Bill Chambers" text="It's lovely. Surprisingly suspenseful, too." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.filmfreakcentral.net/ffc/2015/02/101-dalmatians-1961.html" source="Film Freak Central"/>
<Review id="20075" filter="art=20075" tag="Matt Brunson" text="This is flat-out one of Disney's finest achievements, because puppies." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://clclt.com/charlotte/jean-de-florette-nightcrawler-101-dalmatians-among-new-home-entertainment-titles/Content?oid=3583702" source="Creative Loafing"/>
<Review id="24684" filter="art=24684" tag="Jeffrey M. Anderson" text="It may not be one of Disney's more magical films, but it's definitely one of the most flat-out entertaining." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.combustiblecelluloid.com/classic/one_hundred_one_dalmatians.shtml" source="Combustible Celluloid"/>
<Review id="33570" filter="art=33570" tag="James Kendrick" text="The fact that 101 Dalmatians plays easily alongside both the oldest and most recent of Disney's best is tribute to just how modern it was and continues to be." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.qnetwork.com/index.php?page=review&id=3231" source="Q Network Film Desk"/>
<Review id="29989" filter="art=29989" tag="Peter Canavese" text="Then and now, Disney fans of all ages have thrilled to the animation-ambitious sight of the titular pack, and chilled at the villainy of mad diva Cruella De Vil. [Blu-ray]" image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://grouchoreviews.com/reviews/4767" source="Groucho Reviews"/>
<Review id="20908" filter="art=20908" tag="Keith Phipps" text="However much the film breaks with Disney tradition, it's still a winning effort that mixes cuteness with dry wit in the service of a fast-paced, emotionally charged adventure tale." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://thedissolve.com/reviews/1371-one-hundred-and-one-dalmatians/" source="The Dissolve"/>
<Review id="33160" filter="art=33160" tag="Jeff Beck" text="Featuring a gripping story, beautiful animation, and an unforgettable villain, 101 Dalmatians remains one of Disney's great enduring classics that has stood the test of time." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.examiner.com/article/blu-ray-review-101-dalmatians-diamond-edition" source="Examiner.com"/>
<Review id="33571" filter="art=33571" tag="Alice Vincent" text="This loveable romp evokes a gloomy, starlit London of Georgian streets and quietly grand parks." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11310306/One-Hundred-and-One-Dalmatians-review-a-loveable-romp.html" source="Daily Telegraph (UK)"/>
<Review id="19918" filter="art=19918" tag="Nell Minow" text="Lovable cartoon classic for all ages." image="rottentomatoes://image.review.fresh" link="http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/101-dalmatians" source="Common Sense Media"/>
<Extras size="0"> </Extras>
<Related>
<Hub hubKey="/library/metadata/11779" key="/library/metadata/11692/similar" title="Related Movies" type="movie" hubIdentifier="movie.similar" context="hub.movie.similar" size="1" more="0" style="shelf">
<Video ratingKey="11779" key="/library/metadata/11779" guid="com.plexapp.agents.imdb://tt0076618?lang=en" studio="Walt Disney Productions" type="movie" title="The Rescuers" titleSort="Rescuers" librarySectionTitle="Movies" librarySectionID="4" librarySectionKey="/library/sections/4" contentRating="G" summary="What can two little mice possibly do to save an orphan girl who's fallen into evil hands? With a little cooperation and faith in oneself, anything is possible! As members of the mouse-run International Rescue Aid Society, Bernard and Miss Bianca respond to orphan Penny's call for help. The two mice search for clues with the help of an old cat named Rufus." rating="8.0" audienceRating="6.8" year="1977" tagline="Two tiny agents vs. the world's wickedest woman in a dazzling animated adventure!" thumb="/library/metadata/11779/thumb/1585415492" art="/library/metadata/11779/art/1585415492" duration="4633796" originallyAvailableAt="1977-06-22" addedAt="1585272299" updatedAt="1585415492" audienceRatingImage="rottentomatoes://image.rating.upright" ratingImage="rottentomatoes://image.rating.ripe">
<Media id="27336" duration="4633796" bitrate="2653" width="1792" height="1080" aspectRatio="1.66" audioChannels="6" audioCodec="ac3" videoCodec="hevc" videoResolution="1080" container="mp4" videoFrameRate="24p" optimizedForStreaming="0" has64bitOffsets="0" videoProfile="main">
<Part id="27336" key="/library/parts/27336/1584108469/file.m4v" duration="4633796" file="/mnt/movies/1999 and Previous/The Rescuers (1977).m4v" size="1536866450" container="mp4" deepAnalysisVersion="4" has64bitOffsets="0" hasChapterTextStream="1" hasThumbnail="1" optimizedForStreaming="0" requiredBandwidths="2147483647,2147483647,2147483647,2147483647,2147483647,2147483647,2147483647,2147483647" videoProfile="main">
<Stream id="59695" streamType="1" default="1" codec="hevc" index="0" bitrate="1842" language="English" languageCode="eng" bitDepth="8" chromaSubsampling="4:2:0" codecID="hvc1" codedHeight="1080" codedWidth="1792" colorPrimaries="bt709" colorRange="tv" colorSpace="bt709" colorTrc="bt709" frameRate="23.976" height="1080" level="120" profile="main" refFrames="1" requiredBandwidths="7182,5561,2807,2255,1983,1940,1940,1940" streamIdentifier="1" width="1792" displayTitle="1080p (HEVC Main)"/>
<Stream id="59696" streamType="2" selected="1" default="1" codec="ac3" index="1" channels="6" bitrate="640" language="English" languageCode="eng" audioChannelLayout="5.1(side)" requiredBandwidths="640,640,640,640,640,640,640,640" samplingRate="48000" streamIdentifier="2" displayTitle="English (AC3 5.1)"/>
<Stream id="59697" streamType="2" codec="aac" index="2" channels="2" bitrate="171" language="English" languageCode="eng" audioChannelLayout="stereo" profile="lc" requiredBandwidths="161,161,161,161,161,161,161,161" samplingRate="48000" streamIdentifier="3" displayTitle="English (AAC Stereo)"/>
<Stream id="59698" streamType="3" selected="1" default="1" codec="mov_text" index="3" bitrate="0" language="English" languageCode="eng" requiredBandwidths="1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1" streamIdentifier="4" displayTitle="English (MOV_TEXT)"/>
</Part>
</Media>
Moderator Edit: Placed formatting control characters on a line by themselves before and after pasted XML
I’ve pasted the xml as suggested, but can’t see it posted. Are you able to access what I pasted?
Thanks
I made a minor edit to the XML you pasted. It looks good now. I adjusted the ``` to be on the preceding and succeeding lines by themselves.
If this is what you’re going to use as test, please start that test.
Movies Examples.txt (103.6 KB)
Hello Chuck,
I reconfigured a number of things last night which I will explain in detail shortly. However, please look at the XML of the two movies in the attachment. The first one consistently has the substantial delay in staring, the second one never has the delay.
A couple of points,
BUT, both of these videos should be the same codec, etc. So why is the behavior so different?
Thanks for any insight.
I see only one item in the file which is
<Stream id="14847" streamType="1" default="1" codec="hevc" index="0"
bitrate="4627" language="English" languageCode="eng" bitDepth="8"
chromaSubsampling="4:2:0" codecID="hvc1" codedHeight="1056"
codedWidth="1856" colorPrimaries="bt709" colorRange="tv" colorSpace="bt709"
colorTrc="bt709" frameRate="29.970" height="1046" level="120" profile="main"
refFrames="1" streamIdentifier="1" width="1844" displayTitle="720p (HEVC Main)"/>
It’s not 720p
Hello Chuck.
Just to follow up on this topic. It appears the problem has to do with the decision of direct play/stream/transcoding certain movies. I’d thought the problem had to do with me using Nvenc - however, I still have problems with the same certain movies.
Interestingly, I’ve optimized one of these movies for mobile, and it works perfectly.
Based on your feedback, I’ve also added dedicated mount points for temp and optimized for the virtual system. Additionally I created a Windows PMS using the same mount point and library. Interestingly, it exhibited the same behavior on these handful of movies.
This unsuccessful buffering is happening on less than one percent of the content.
Can you provide guidance on which log would expose what is happening when the client is endlessly buffering?
Thanks.
You sent me this earlier, but it collects all logs. Is this best?
