Server Version#: Server : UNRAID 6.11.5 | Plex Server : 1.32.1.6999
Player Version#: Android App (9.21.2.1271)
Attachement: I have attached two logs. The one with the “browser” suffix is from the Android Device (Samsung A52) while streaming through the Browser. The one without the “browser” suffix is from the same exact device , while streaming through the Android App.
Environment :
Every mobile device is on 5ghz WiFi
Server is on Local Network
Local Network is 1000Mbps (Switches , routers , cables , ethernet cards ,etc.)
Browser Latest version of Chrome
Plex App latest version from Google Play (9.21.2.1271)
Summary : Streaming through browser on Android device works flawlessly , whereas streaming through the Android App (on the same device) is almost impossible due to stutters , constant loadings , etc.
Situation in detail :
Streaming works flawlessly using Chrome for Android at my local plex server IP. Monitoring the logs of my Unraid Server:
Network Interface bandwidth jumps to 40+ Mbps
CPU Utilization being lower than 10%.
Generally everything works fine.
Opening the Plex App on the exact same device the stream stutters heavily and loads constantly , it is unplayable. On the Server Monitor :
Network interface is again at 40+ Mbps
CPU Utilization is again lower than 10%.
Note : Exact Same situation is experienced on an iPad. (Browser perfect , app unplayable)
Noteworthy 1 : This does not happen on Chromecast TV-4K (Same network , same speeds ,etc). Streaming through Chromecast TV is not on the same level as in the browser (which has zero issues playing anything in any resolution , instantly) but it is pretty close. Sometimes it will stutter , sometimes it will load a bit , but generally its fine. (There is though a degradation in performance compared to the browser , but not exactly bothersome)
Noteworthy 2 : Enabling Transcoding in the Android App , the video starts playing instantly. It is not stable though and it will experience stuttering at some point but it generally works.
Not the solution but I have to use VLC instead of PLEX when I am streaming anything over 1080. I have similar setup to yours, using Cat8 connections, very fast broadband 1gb. I can view 4k films with no problem using VLC on my network. Using PLEX just makes you sit down to loads of buffering.
Is there any kind of official support channel for the ones that have purchased this product? I suppose this is a community driven forum , and is expected support to be situational , but is there one that is run by Plex employees or is there any kind of support email , because i can not find anything other than this forum?
Sadly there’s no other support channels… just the forum.
Based on what you describe, it sounds like there might be something in your app settings that’s causing the server to transcode your media (e.g. the video playback quality settings), while the browser app is configured differently.
Do you get the same result if you disable Quality > Video Quality > Automatically Adjust Quality in the Plex app on Android?
The log snipped you provided only covers a few seconds (23:05:35 to 23:05:50; with 90% of activities happening within the 1st 5 seconds). There’s not all that much going on in that period.
The logs are both following the exact same procedure , there is no data after them to provide. Both are isolated on the issue.
My procedure is as follows : I start the App on the device , navigate to a video , wait a few seconds on the loading screen , stop it , export the log. Move on to open the Web App on the same device through the browser , select a video , it starts playing immediately , i wait a few seconds , stop it and then export the log. Making sure that i am not using any kind of Cache in the meantime.
Regarding transcoding. When my Server transcodes any media the CPU jumps pretty high , cause there is no GPU on the server and everything is taken care from the CPU. In my observations (included in my primary message) there was no CPU increase whatsoever in both cases (App or Web App).
Regarding Testing What is your opinion on a sufficient log , regarding an error that the video is not loading? I will provide it. Specific procedure?
