Transcoding and Xbox One

General Discussions
1

Is there a better client than the Xbox One? I find so many files transcode on Xbox one (especially 4K) yet play direct on native Samsung app or iPhone etc

Wondering if I would be better off with an Amazon Fire 4K stick for $50

example below a 1080 p file direct play on iPhone yet transcoding and stuttering on Xbox
1

2

PMS version? Are Plex settings in the app on the Xbox set to Direct play?

3

PMS Version 1.14.1.5488
Yes Xbox One is set to Direct Play

4

nvidia shield + 4k/atmos receiver + 4k tv = direct play 4k hdr & atmos

anything else for 4k is just going give you a headache.

5

what if I get the Nvidia Sheild but my receiver doesn’t support atmos will it still direct play

6

HD audio will not. if your receiver supports truehd/dtsma, but not atmos, pretty sure you will be ok. these are typically pre-HDR 4k receivers… ie they support 4k but not hdr or atmos.

receivers without truehd or dts-ma (ie hd lossless) will not direct play and either need transcoded, or one of the options below.

video should.

if your server is powerful enough to direct stream (ie remux) the video while transcoding the audio, then it still may work for you.

Otherwise, you can;

  • manually choose a different audio stream from within plex (ie dolbydigital/dts 5.1 or stereo)
  • manually remove the hd audio from your media files (leaving the dd/dts audio streams)
  • manually remux your media files so that the dd/dts streams are the first stream (leaving the HD audio as a secondary stream)
7

thanks

my receiver supports truehd/dtsma , what do you think would be more powerful for the Plex server? The Nvidia Shield or my correct pc below
1

8

I would think the PC would be more powerful overall.

The shield has a decent gpu, but it is still a low power ARM device, so library browsing etc will not be as fast as a full pc.

I’d try both then compare which works good enough for your purposes.

If you do use the shield a server, you may also want to invest in a decently fast usb3 SSD drive so you have more space and speed for your library database and metadata.

9

thanks for being so helpful, I am also looking for another client for my bedroom (non smart tv) whats the cheapest option (1080p) I was thinking Amazon Fire TV 4K (they are on sale for $50 (wife wouldn’t like the chromecast since she wants a remote and not her phone

10

I haven’t used any of the newer fire tv devices, but my old ones seemed to get too slow to be useful.

not sure what to recommend for a lightweight/cheap 1080 client.

appletv are ok but not super cheap. newer roku device might be good, but I would stay away from any older models.

hopefully others will chime in with other suggestions.

one other bit of advise, keep a separate library for 4k only movies, that way they are not mixed with other content, and you can disable access for remote users. this will help prevent any server overload from trying to transcode.