I would like to be able to sync content to a device, and skip the transcode stage. I would like two things, but the first one is key.
When selecting a sync device, allow me to send the file as it is (Direct copy). I find that the media analyse can be flakey, and the files in question don’t need transcoding and it goes off an transcodes, when they work fine in there original format.
Once 1. is done, it would be nice to have the most recent sync setting, remember on a device by device basis, as the default chose.
I just find the sync process just not robust enough.
If the media analysis stage fails, because it’s got it’s knickers in a twist, would it possible to just skip it and sync the file?
Surely 1. could be done without too much pain (I get asked the same thing a lot myself)
Yes, My QNAP NAS already has everything transcoded and optimized for mobile. I just want to pick a file and sync it directly. I don’t need plex to transcode it again.
I bought a plex pass thinking this is what I would get. I am really disappointed.
I have considered, that maybe the transcode, is also a question of checking that that file will play on the specific device, however, if the file is ok, then it should be moved over untouched.
So it would be best if we had a clear no transcode option, and if it’s having to transcode, it should be clearly stated that the transcode is happening for the following reasons e.g. Audio, Subtitle overlay etc.
This way we can see that it is the file that’s the problem, and if we don’t believe the file is the problem and it’s the media analyzer, it can be reported. Also maybe allowing us tweak our settings. It would be an educational opportunity
I added my vote by liking the first post. (replying “+1” doesn’t seem to do anything)
iOS can play a lot of containers and codecs out of the box, so the transcoding step is a huge waste of energy and time. I just bought a Plex Lifetime Pass, seriously disappointed about this half-baked Sync feature.
First (most urgent) feature request
I’d like to see an Sync option to “direct copy” the source file to my iOS device when the container format and audio/video codecs are supported on the iOS device.
Second (less urgent) feature request
In case the container format is not supported on the iOS device but the video codec inside IS supported, there should also be an option to remux to a supported container format without having to recode.
@geissler said:
Yes, My QNAP NAS already has everything transcoded and optimized for mobile. I just want to pick a file and sync it directly. I don’t need plex to transcode it again.
I bought a plex pass thinking this is what I would get. I am really disappointed.
This is exactly why I got the plex pass as well. Syncing is very hard to implement right. All I want to do is select a specific movie or tv show, get a menu showing which pretranscoded files are available and let me worry whether I’ve seen this content before etc. don’t need plex to “sync” anything. The same way the web interface for plex server provides (which I love). You press the “…” option menu and select “Play Version”. If I could do the same on IOS or wherever and also have an option “Download Version”, then I would be glad I paid for a lifetime pass.
@kaspermalfroid said:
I added my vote by liking the first post. (replying “+1” doesn’t seem to do anything)
** iOS can play a lot of containers and codecs out of the box**, so the transcoding step is a huge waste of energy and time. I just bought a Plex Lifetime Pass, seriously disappointed about this half-baked Sync feature.
Not technically true, but using external players (if at all possible on ios) could solve this.
First (most urgent) feature request
I’d like to see an Sync option to “direct copy” the source file to my iOS device when the container format and audio/video codecs are supported on the iOS device.
Second (less urgent) feature request
In case the container format is not supported on the iOS device but the video codec inside IS supported, there should also be an option to remux to a supported container format without having to recode.
Plex already does that. If your file is codec supported, but in a mkv container, it will sync after remuxing only. At least it does on android.
I understand why it happens to get the film in the best format for the device, but I would like the option to direct copy for the following reason; I travel a lot and will hook the tablet up to the TV to watch a film in the even and it would great to see the movie as it’s comes. My tablet is more than powerful to handle HD and output to a TV.
Happy to keep all the options as some movies I’m unlikely to watch in TV so transcoding to a smaller file is great as it takes up less space but for other, direct copy would be welcome.
Plex already does that. If your file is codec supported, but in a mkv container, it will sync after remuxing only. At least it does on android.
I have moved over to mkv mainly because mp4 doesn’t support subtitles on bluray and I’ve noticed an improvement in quality. So just tried a sync on a SD film in mkv and took under an hour to appear on the tablet, when I was using mp4 it took hours upon hours for just a single film.
@Skar said:
I see the option to transfer Original has been added, or I had missed it before.
It was there. It keeps original bitrate/quality, but still transcodes to a compatible format. As far as I understand things, plex will always have to transcode to a natively supported file format because their player only supports those formats… It doesn’t do software decoding like mxplayer or vlc do.
My Android device has no problem playing my media in its original codec and container. As my server is not so powerful, transcoding when syncing takes time. Would be great to have Download option as there is in Plex Web. I could download several movies/shows and play later on the move. If Plex Android cannot play the format, my native player surely can.
Surely 1. could be done without too much pain (I get asked the same thing a lot myself) 
Syncing is very hard to implement right. All I want to do is select a specific movie or tv show, get a menu showing which pretranscoded files are available and let me worry whether I’ve seen this content before etc. don’t need plex to “sync” anything. The same way the web interface for plex server provides (which I love). You press the “…” option menu and select “Play Version”. If I could do the same on IOS or wherever and also have an option “Download Version”, then I would be glad I paid for a lifetime pass.