Some x265 files stutter on Android mobile

[cca310]

Edit: Alternate post with more information shared by @smoresrock: Example of stuttering HEVC playback on Apple TV 4K

Server Version#: 1.18.9.2578
Player Version#: 7.30.1.16475

Certain x265 files play very choppy/laggy on my OnePlus 6 Android 10. I asked my buddy who has a OnePlus 5 to try it and it was stuttering for him as well. I asked my other friend to try it with his OnePlus 5T and it did not play at all.

Here is an example file. This file plays fine on Plex for Windows and Android TV, but it will be choppy on Android mobile.

Files

/mnt/Media Storage/Media/Plex/Movies/Movies/Rampage.2018.1080p.BluRay.x265-RARBG/Rampage.2018.1080p.BluRay.x265-RARBG.mp4

Media

Duration 1:47:16
Bitrate 2224 kbps
Width 1920
Height 800
Aspect Ratio 2.35
Video Resolution 1080p
Container MP4
Video Frame Rate 24p
Web Optimized No
Audio Profile lc
Video Profile main 10

Part

Duration 1:47:16
File Rampage.2018.1080p.BluRay.x265-RARBG.mp4
Size 1.67 GB
Audio Profile lc
Container MP4
Web Optimized No
Video Profile main 10

Codec HEVC
Bitrate 2000 kbps
Bit Depth 10
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Coded Height 800
Coded Width 1920
Color Range tv
Frame Rate 23.976 fps
Height 800
Level 4.0
Profile main 10
Ref Frames 1
Stream Identifier 1
Width 1920
Display Title 1080p (HEVC Main 10)

Codec AAC
Channels 6
Bitrate 224 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout 5.1
Profile lc
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 2
Display Title English (AAC 5.1)

Codec SRT
Format SRT
Display Title Unknown (SRT External)

The xml is too big to post in a code block so I’ll zip it and upload it
6563.zip (17.7 KB)

Here is a screen recording showing the stuttering: https://streamable.com/zagykl

This screen recording shows the stutter during direct play. When I change the playback settings to convert automatically, it then plays smoothly. The confusing thing to me is that other x265 files play fine on android mobile. I can’t figure out why some have issues

edit: changed video to show stutter better

[cca310]

This post can be closed.

This also happens in the gallery app. So not a Plex issue.

What would cause this file to stutter on multiple oneplus phones as well as my other friends galaxy s20. Could it be an android issue as a whole or what?

Here’s a sample file if anyone’s curious: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZKei7kWmOBRgmLDatQNIvOPzH6QZE2SH

edit: for clarification. the sample file I included above also stutters in the default gallery video player for the phones I’ve tried it on.

[smoresrock]

I, too, have experienced this very issue. I also noticed that allowing the server to convert to a resolution outside of original fixes the stuttering issue. However, I don’t think that’s necessarily a solution to the problem. I’d like to know the root cause of it and if it’s something that could be and would be addressed by the Plex team or if it’s a type of file to just avoid in the future.

[cca310]

I know what I said isn’t a solution. I just don’t know enough about video codecs and whatnot to say where the issue lies. I just don’t really think it’s Plex issue, more an Android issue.

From what I learned from another user is this file stutters on android when it is hardware decoding, but if it’s software decoding, it will play smoothly.

[smoresrock]

To add on to this, I’ve learned that a similar issue is happening on the Apple side of things. This leads me to believe it’s an encoding thing that particular release group is doing that nobody else really does. What do you think? I had previously linked back to this thread in that thread, so don’t be alarmed lol

[QuadraKev]

I’ve noticed the same thing on my Samsung Galaxy S20.

[H1dd3N420]

I wouldn’t say this is solved. Playing back same movie file both on android 4K Sony TVs one is an OLED 2018 (Shared user) and the other high end LED from 2015 (Local) All firmware and software up to date. Both tvs are very choppy when playing x265. I have tried it with the file as mentioned in the comments above. Played the exact same file but this time via Apple TV 4K and it works perfectly. Something gives with the Plex app on Android.

[tristankin]

Same issue here. Chromecast ultra and phone stutters, nothing else does.

Codec HEVC
Bitrate 2002 kbps
Bit Depth 10
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Coded Height 1080
Coded Width 1920
Color Range tv
Frame Rate 23.976 fps
Height 1080
Level 4.0
Profile main 10
Ref Frames 1
Stream Identifier 1
Width 1920
Display Title 1080p (HEVC Main 10)
Codec AAC
Channels 6
Bitrate 224 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout 5.1
Profile lc
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 2
Display Title English (AAC 5.1)

This is what the playback looks like.

[tristankin]

PS4 is even worse!!

[smoresrock]

Some users have identified the root cause of this exact problem in the thread I mentioned earlier. I.e., if you’re reading this, you should probably continue over there…

[cca310]

Thanks for the link. I knew something had to be wrong with the files.

[JuiceWSA]

I had about 750 of them before ‘repairs’ went underway…

… at least the number of broken files keeps (slowly) getting smaller…:

[Mattias.A]

Hello JuiceWSA,

What do you do to “repair” the files? Converting them or are you replacing them with 264 versions? I’m not sure what’s been said in the forum. I noticed 265 rarbg movies uploaded after 2020-05-01 do not have the stutter problem, but any movie (quite many) uploaded before that have the problem. So perhaps the encoders noticed the issue and changed something, I hope they will re-upload fixed versions.
I’m seeing stuttering on devices: Chromecast, Chromecast Ultra, Samsung s10, Samsung s5 tab

[JuiceWSA]

@Mattias.A

I hope they will re-upload fixed versions.

Comedy… I get it…good one…lol

If the files are original - simply remux with MKVToolNix Version 45.0
If the files are not original - re-acquire - remux with MKVToolNix Version 45.0

Files dated internally
(view with MediaInfo - MediaInfo - Download )
BEFORE 5-4-2020 are broken.
AFTER 5-4-2020 are fine.

HEVC Main 10 1080p Stuttering on Roku Ultra

Server Version#: 1.18.9.2571 Player Version#:6.4.15.6286-2729b7728-Plex Preview Roku Ultra Regular/Random/Consistent stuttering. PMP also does the same. Plex For Windows - smooth as glass. Here is the original file - I have remuxed to MKV and converted the audio to AC3 5.1 with the exact same results: (I can also provide a ‘Sample’) General Complete name : D:\Acquisitions\Signs (2002) [1080p]\Signs (2002) [1080p HEVC].mp4 Format …

Example of stuttering HEVC playback on Apple TV 4K

Can confirm it is an issue on my Galaxy S10 as well as Apple 4k device. Same files run fine on Nvidia Shield Pro. Hope its fixed soon.

The ‘Apple’ thread will explain - eventually - what is wrong with them - if you’re interested.

[Mattias.A]

Hehe yeah, wishful thinking
Just to clarify when you say “original” I assume you mean unedited since download. Thanks for the mediainfo it will come in handy. I’ve tried to remux to a different container like mkv with Avidemux with the same stutter result but I’ll give MKVToolNix a try.

[SE56]

I totally agree these H.265 available were a PITA before it was discovered a fix was available.

I had trouble on my iPadOS devices

MKVToolNix is the solution, freeware and does the job very quickly. Remember Version 45.0 and above.

[JuiceWSA]

@Mattias.A

Just to clarify when you say “original” I assume you mean unedited since download

Yea - unfortunately I found out 'cause I re-mux through Xmedia Recode to normalize audio and embed sub tracks… I had to ‘re-acquire’ 1300+ files - then remux with ToolNix Version 45.0 - then fix with Xmedia Recode… so… don’t do as I do… do as I say…

If the files are still mp4s and haven’t been touched by anything - other than renaming - a remux will fix 'em.

[Mattias.A]

Hehe man… that must’ve taken time, will go for ToolNix version 45.0 directly then… Thanks a lot for the help

[JuiceWSA]

Let’s put it this way…:
at one time I had about 1000 files in the ‘to do’ folder in ‘arrivals’ - for about a month.
now I have 114 in ‘arrivals’ (regular arrivals - not to fix) and it’s almost like I have nothing to do…