Subtitles even in text formats (SRT, ASS, etc.) causes transcode of HDR files

[FordGuy61]

Plex Media Server has to transcode the video to keep the video, audio, and subtitles in sync with each other.

I don’t know if it is a limitation of TV hardware, WebOS, transport protocols, etc. Someone from Plex will have to provide the details.

Edit: It is a limitation of the HLS protocol. See the following thread. The main topic is unrelated (and resolved), but the post provides info regarding LG, transcoded audio, and subtitles.

HW Transcoding not working anymore (Synology Diskstation)

Ok, That didn’t take long. The audio can’t be DirectPlayed by the TV. DirectPlay is canceled at that point, resulting in DirectStream So far, no big deal. Adding the subtitles, and needing to use the HLS protocol (which the LG uses) is where it falls down. It can’t send the subtitles over HLS with DirectStream audio. – Known Limitation being worked on (most recent update was Dec 19,2019) This is where the HW acceleration gets turned off / skipped. – double wham. Not the news you wanted b…