Server Version#: windows server 1.32.8.76.39-fb6452ebf
Player Version#: Android 10.8.0
This TV runs on Android 11, and I’m facing two issues with the Plex app:
Plex only displays content in 1080p, while my TV hardware supports a 4K resolution. Other apps on the TV can stream in 4K, but Plex limits it to 1080p, resulting in a suboptimal movie-watching experience.
When playing movies through Plex on the TV, I noticed a maximum upload bandwidth of only 10MB/s from the local server, with an average of 5MB/s. However, my entire network supports 1000M. This causes buffering issues during movie playback, and a “Network speed insufficient” prompt appears in the top right corner. Interestingly, when using the Plex app on my mobile or iPad, the streaming is smooth, and the local server reports instantaneous speeds of up to 40MB/s.
My TCL television has the same problem, it transcodes 4K content even though the television is compatible with that resolution. The same video played from the Plex addon for Kodi looks perfect. It has to be a bug in the app that should be fixed.
Would everyone here with this issue navigate to the settings in the app, find “H.264 maximum level” under Advanced and report back what the recommended setting is set to? We have had a similar issue before where a Sony TV recommended level was for 4k and it was a 1080p display so it would cause issues.
5.1 and above is for 4k anything below will cause the transcoding. If it is defaulting below that we may just need to cater for your specific models.
If it is 5 or lower please respond with your exact TV model.
That is quite low. Thanks for reporting I will add the model to the filed issue. Would you be able to share your Android Logs after attempting to play a 4K file?
There is an update in v10.18 which is currently in beta. It should hopefully solve this issue but we are unable to actually test it as we don’t have a device with the issue. Would you be able to give it a try and let me know?
It might be clashing with the current installed version. The current beta is 10.18.0.907, it will only start rolling out to the production app either the end of this week or early next week.
@hidaba would you mind changing a setting and trying again? There is a line in your logs stating that its transcoding because it exceeds the maximum bitrate. Could you make sure all your Video Quality Settings in your app are set to maximum even remote streaming? You could also try disabling Quality suggestions and report back if there is a change?
Apologies for the very delayed response. Looking at your logs a lower quality is still being selected even though you have the settings set to max. During playback can you please bring up the quality selector and select original quality? This line [MediaDecisionEngine] Original quality selected, skipping resolution/bitrate check should appear in the logs if it is selected but it is not in your logs.
Can you also enable Resolution and Refresh rate switching in the app settings before playback and then provide your logs again? This will include all the compatible resolutions and refresh rates your tv supports in the logs.
