Transcoder Inquiry

Plex Media Server
1

Server Version#: Windows 10
Player Version#: 1.25.2.5319

My PMS has 4 CPUs. I’m trying to limit the amount of buffering that occurs for my remote users.

What is the recommendation for the following options:

  • Transcoding Quality: Automatic, Prefer higher speed encoding, Prefer higher quality encoding OR Make my CPU hurt?

  • Background transcoding x264 preset: Ultra fast, Super fast, Very fast, Faster, Fast, Medium, Slow, Slower, Very Slow (I believe the default is Very fast)

Any other Settings recommendations to improve playback quality for remote users would be great appreciated

2

Iirc, you should just leave it on defaults.

If you are cpu bound, none of them have much of an effect on reducing your buffering.

Since you have plex pass, you should invest in a gpu that is new enough to support the codecs you are using/transcoding.

If you are transcoding 4K content, you essentially need a gtx 1050 or newer, or a 7th gen intel cpu with 600 series igpu.

See also @ [INFO] Plex, 4k, transcoding, and you - aka the rules of 4k

If you are not using 4K, perhaps some older gpu may help to varying degrees.

3

I am CPU bound.

Not transcoding any 4K content

4

You didn’t state what specific cpu, but the What kind of CPU do I need for my Server? | Plex Support article provides guidelines on approximately how much cpu marks (benchmark) is desirable for different types of transcoding.

You can google your cpu model and find out how it ranks compared to others.

5

See attached screenshot…

Screen Shot 2021-12-15 at 4.47.08 PM
Screen Shot 2021-12-15 at 4.47.08 PM850×160 57.4 KB

6

Ok so that cpu has about 4500 passmarks, which means it can support maybe 2x 1080 transcodes, at ~2000 passmarks per transcode, not including any other cpu load outside of plex.

7

Based on what you said should I now change my Maximum simultaneous video transcode from unlimited to 2?

8

You can try it and see if it helps.

9

Do you have hardware accelerated transcoding enabled?

The 4460S has Intel HD4600 graphics, which can transcode H.264, MPEG2, & VC1 at 1080p or lower resolutions.

HD4600 graphics can’t compare to current GPUs, but it will take some of the transcoding load off of the CPU (decoding HEVC will still use the CPU).

If not enabled, check the boxes for Use hardware acceleration when available and Use hardware-accelerated video encoding in Settings → Transcoder.

10

That didn’t work :cry:.

11

I’m afraid there isn’t much that will help if you continue to have too many streams that is more than your computer can handle.

There is not a setting that will limit the total number of user streams.

In the remote access settings, you can set the max bandwidth available, and the max stream bw/size (ie 1080/8, or 720/4, etc).

But that won’t help if your cpu is too slow for the number of simultaneous streams.

Reduce your users, or upgrade your hardware.

The minimum I would recommend is a 7000 series intel cpu with built in 630 series igpu.

12

I’ll make the settings change u recommended. I don’t have that many remote users. I’ve never seen more than 2 or 3 simultaneous remote streams. I’ll look to upgrade my hardware as well

13

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.