Transcoding issue with ”Use hardware acceleration when available”

Plex Media Server
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Server Version#: MPS for Mac - 1.30.2.6563
Player Version#: Plex for iOS- 8.13

Hi
Transcoding a movie with the option ”Use hardware acceleration when available” activated has for the last cuple of versions resulted in a spinning loading screen and the video never starts playing. If I turn of ”Use hardware acceleration when available” the files play just fine! (Direct playing words great as well)

I get a lot of these rows in my server log:

DEBUG - Request: [127.0.0.1:50334 (Loopback)] POST /video/:/transcode/session/-****---/--*--/progress/log?level=0&message=%5BParsed_scale_videotoolbox_1%20%40%200x7fdd4a41a600%5D%20Image%20transfer%20failed%3A%20-12905 (16 live) #201 Signed-in Token (**) (range: bytes=0-)

ERROR - [Req#201/Transcode/-****---/---*************] [Parsed_scale_videotoolbox_1 @ 0x7fdd4a41a600] Image transfer failed: -12905

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I’m also having this issue running Ubuntu 20.04 server. I can upload my server logs if that’s helpful

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Which version of the server are you using? I recently moved my server to Linux Ubuntu, but 22.04 for me. I’m not experiencing any issues when I have to transcode. The one exception is a trailer that refused to play with a transcoding related error yesterday. I don’t know what’s up with that trailer since it’s one that I didn’t put in my server manually.

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I’m using the latest version of Plex Media Server from the official repo. I’m using a 2080 to transcode if that helps

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Is there anyone out there using Mac OS (macOS 10.14.6) as a host platform that gets hardware acceleration to work as intended?

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Hi I’m using a Mac mini and hsve hardware acceleration enabled without issues. To be clear, I’m using a 2018, i7 (Intel) mini.

But I’ve not had any issues with it locally or my remote users. If there’s anything I can to do help, test, share please feel free to ask

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@MeatBall Ok, thanks for your feedback. I’m using a 2018 MacMini as well. (i5)
What version of of MacOS are you running?

1 Like
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When I got no response from Plex I made the decision to upgrade from macOS 10.14.6 to 12.6.3 (Monterey) hoping this would help. And if you look, after the update “Use hardware acceleration when available” works! :slight_smile: (Though it seems that it takes a little longer for the content to start up than before)
So if anyone is having problems and is using an older version of macOS, it can definitely help to update.

1 Like
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hey I’m really sorry I’m so late to respond to this. I offer help and then disappear. Apparently my browser notifications weren’t working.

I’m running 13.2 (Ventura). I’ve run into unrelated issues with Ventura and plex (mostly SMB) so If you’re on Monterrey and not running into any issues, my suggestion would be to sit there. Mac releases their annual OS release on schedule as the priority and with that, bugs yet to be fully resolved came post release. I used to be smarter and keep my OS a full system behind, not sure what happened this time.

Anyway as long as theirs nothing to do with hardware acceleration and Ventura specifically beneficial, stay where you’re at.

Yea I’ve heard so many crazy mixed messages bout apple limiting hardware acceleration to one stream etc. What I can tell you is I’ve had it on for a while now and seen as many as 10 remote users transcoding utilizing it without issue- to be clear I’m speaking to “hardware acceleration when available”. I do not however, use “Use hardware-accelerated video encoding”.

I’ve not noticed content taking a a little longer to load (but it doest mean it’s not happening on my end too). It also depends on what you set for transcoder buffer before throttle. Either way if it takes a couple extra seconds upfront for a better/qjick response while playing I’d say it’s a fair trade off (assuming it’s just a few seconds more).

Have you tried using your server remotely and seen first hand what the experience is like with accelerations turned on?

Have you noticed the processor load lighten up?

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