# Transcoding 4K Requirements

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-4k-requirements/136994>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-windows\
**Created:** [February 28, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-4k-requirements/136994 "2016-02-28T01:13:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 7

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**Author:** ![jjrjr1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jjrjr1/32/10993_2.png) [@jjrjr1](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jjrjr1)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 12:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/transcoding-4k-requirements/136994/7 "2017-01-13T12:01:00Z")

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Best recommendation is encode your 4K media to a format that can direct play the content.

I run an i7 with 256gig ssd (9k Passmark) and 4K maxes out the CPU and buffers terribly.

I really do not think there is much you can do to get 4K to transcode yet.

BTW. Why do you have 4K media to play on an iPhone, or a Browser when that will transcode always???

Keep your 4K media where only your 4K devices can play them directly and maintain a 1080p or less copy for all other devices not 4K capable.

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