Hello, my Plex server is not very powerful and goes to 100% CPU when Transcoding AVI files to watch, where in the options is it to disable Transcoding of AVI files? It must be because the device that is reading the file is unable to read AVI’s? Like the Roku. Thanks
EDIT: Should I maybe convert the AVI’s to MKV h264/aac instead to be compatible with every device?
AVI is an old antiquated system so YES you should convert them to something else. Also if you try to play an AVI file on a Roku or other device that does not support AVI directly (which is most devices) Plex will have to transcode or the file will not play at all.
Okay, thanks, so there is nothing on the server I can change, it is the Device that is telling the Server that it doesn’t recognize the video format so the Server is saying, ‘Okay, I’ll convert it to something you will understand’ right? 
You could probably change the XML for the device involved so as to tell Plex just to direct play AVI files to devices that do not support them like the Roku but that would mean that the file would not play at all or it could crash the device involved or the Plex app on that device or freeze it up or something much worse.
The devices all have XML files that tell the Plex server what the device needs to be able to play the file.
Also on the device, at least it is true on the Roku, you can tell the server to never transcode (direct play everything) but that is frought with problems because telling a Roku to direct play everything does not suddenly give Roku the ability to play everything. I just lies to the server and those lies can be harmful.
It is a bit like the kid’s riddle:
Q - How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
A - Four, calling a tail a leg does not make it one.
Just because you try to force a file to direct play does not mean it will play at all.
Okay, yeah, I guess it’s best just to convert AVI’s to MP4 (h264/AAC)
Q - How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
A - One, if I call the tail a leg then I must call the leg something else
Yes. That is what I did years ago even though my server has enough power to convert 5 or 6 AVI files for playback at the same time. It just makes no sense to keep AVIs in that format.
We can, at another time, discuss the comparative interpretations and philosophies of children’s riddles and even nursery rhymes. But remember that at no place in the rhyme is Humpty Dumpty said to be an egg.
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