There is a problem playing this item - only with new PS4 app

Plex Players Gaming Consoles
1

Hi all,

 

Just downloaded the new PS4 app (got all excited to use it), checked everything was connected, looked all good.  However, 99% of my movies fail - they say "buffering" for 4 minutes, then I get the general plex error "There was a problem playing this item".

 

So, lets rule a few things out,..,.

 

PS4 app - brand new, so running the latest version

Windows Server running plex = media server v0.9.11.4 (latest)

Server = plenty of disk space, masses of memory (32gb) and a quad core processor

Media files = all MP4s

Movie media files = stored on QNAP NAS drive

Connection = all links hard wired over CAT (NAs to router, router to server, router to PS4)

Plex Pass in place = confirmed

 

All media can be played via the web interface, and *some* MP4s by the PS4 app, just not very many.

 

Anybody have any ideas?  Or should we all just be waiting for the issues in the app to be sorted out?

 

Logs for playing such a failure is as follows - note no ERROR in log file:

2

the latest server is 9.11.6 ( click on "Plex Pass Downloads" in DL page first)

that log looks like it only shows a bit of playback in the Web interface

3

Ah - indeed.  Different latest versions depending on whether you have "plex pass" or not - before I purchased plex pass last night, checked server and it showed .9.11.4 as the latest version... this morning with plex pass, it allows me to download .9.11.6 which is now installing.

Not sure if this will correct the issue - but will try it tonight when I get home.

4

Well, tried to play a movie tonight with the latest server software... and it was the same problem....

Bufering for 30 seconds, and then the "Problem playing this item" message as per the original post and trace log.

Anybody have any ideas?

5

You covered your bases well. Thanks for good context on your setup. Thanks for the logs too. The log doesn't have any playback related bits so it shows you're definitely playing back directly on the PS4.

* What bitrate are the mp4s you're trying to play? https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201018517-Media-Info.

* Have you selected a higher Local Quality than 8Mbps in the global settings or in-playback settings?

* If you select a video quality just-under the MP4's bitrate does the MP4 start playing correctly? (It will switch to transcode which may help the PS4 playback more smoothly at the cost of your Plex Media Server working harder).

Thanks for the feedback.

6

what is the quality setting on? i have heard of issues playing above the recommended 8mb/s 

I am curious if there is a difference if transcoding or direct stream/play

7

Hi,

Some answers to your questions....

Q: What bitrate are the mp4s you're trying to play?

A: I have taken a look at one of the files... resolution = 480p, media bitrate=3144kps, size = 720 x 480, container = MP4, frame rate = 24p, codec=H264, video bitrate - 3012kbps, bit depth = 8.  This is from the file in the original log

Q: Have you selected a higher Local Quality than 8Mbps in the global settings or in-playback settings?

A: Global settings = local = 8mpbs, remote = 3mbps, chanel = 3mbps.  On the PS4 app, nothing has changed from the original config to 8bmps.

Q: If you select a video quality just-under the MP4's bitrate does the MP4 start playing correctly? (It will switch to transcode which may help the PS4 playback more smoothly at the cost of your Plex Media Server working harder).

A: I dropped the quality down to 2mbps on both global settings and local player and it played.  Then took it up to 3mbps - first play failed with a buffer error, and tried again, and it played.  Took it up to 4bmps, and it fails 100% of the time.   Initially, coding on server was set to automatic and the results are based on that.  Change it to "Make my CPU hurt" and repeated the tests - results are the same.  I was running resmon on my server and none of the 8 cores of the CPU showed any increased activity.

Worth saying at 2mbps, there is a judder to the video (which I dont see on the web player) and the display is dark - the darker colours all blend into the same black.

I also noticed (from Quasar's post with simillar issues) that Dolby was ticked.  When I untick it in the PS4 app, I can play at 4mbps but the sound is not great.

I cant imagien its the server - the server says it has plenty to give, and the PS4 app playback quality compared to the webapp interface is pretty rubbish at the moment.

<span><a  class="" href="https://forums.plex.tv/user/73637-quasar/" title=""><span>Quasar</span></a></span>
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