This server is not powerful enough to convert video

Plex Media Server
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1

Server Version#: 1.28.0.5999
Player Version#: 4.84.1

I am attempting to play an .MP4 video, SD quality. This is the only file I seem to be having trouble with. Emby doesn’t have a problem playing the file, nor does Windows “Movies & TV” app. When I open the file in the Plex Web app I get the error “This server is not powerful enough to convert video.”

I guess it could be a codec issue, but if it plays in the other apps that doesn’t make sense. Not sure what codec is needed for an MP4 video.
Is the error message a default when nothing else seems to fit. If other apps can play the file, surely the server has enough power to convert.

I reviewed the logs (attached) but didn’t see any errors to account for this. Perhaps someone else could give a glance and provide feedback.
Plex Media Server Logs_2022-08-16_12-16-49.zip (7.2 MB)

2

The log files did not capture the attempt to play the video.

Is video transcoding disabled?
Settings → Transcoder → Disable video stream transcoding

If video transcoding is disabled and Plex cannot direct play/stream the video, then playback will fail. Plex will respond with the “server is not powerful enough…” message.

3

Transcoder is on set to “Make my CPU hurt”.

I checked the video using the Plex app on the same PC, it works there. Just not in a browser.

4

Plex Web is limited by the browser. Pretty much anything other than H.264 8-bit video & AAC audio will transcode (some browsers support ac3 or mp3, and Safari supports 8-bit HEVC SDR video).

Plex Desktop is a vastly more capable client, built on top of mpv.io. Most audio/video/subtitle formats direct play.

5

Thanks fordguy61. Appreciate the thoughtful response.

6

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