Server Version#: 1.14.0.5470 (Windows)
Player Version#: Roku 5.3.10
So I just installed my P2000 in my system and I tried to fire up a 4k transcode (I know this is pointless because of the washed out colors, but I wanted to really hit it hard). It does say that it is using HW for both the decode and encode. However, on my Roku TV (6 series 4k with HDR) it stays at 13% and after a while fails saying:
Video Unavailable We’re unable to play this video, make sure the server is running and has access to this video.
Now, the CPU is definitely working less hovering around 11-13% (I7-6700K) and according to the process monitor the GPU is hovering around 4.5-6% (which seems low if it’s trying to buffer as much as it can).
I don’t think the 6700k has hardware acceleration so I don’t think it’s using the CPU, but why won’t it make it to my Roku? When I have hardware acceleration turned off, the video will make it to the roku, but it will buffer a lot because the CPU can’t handle it.
I checked the logs. It is using Windows (DXVA2) for the decode, which I think is to be expected. It is also using NVENC for the encode.
Still, though the GPU and CPU usage are relatively low, the video doesn’t play. I also tried this on an Nvidia shield where I forced a transcode from 4k -> 4k.
I also just tried another movie, this time from 4k -> 2mbps 720 and while it does transcode, it also buffers every 10 seconds or so.
I am transcoding this off of a raid 6 array on a 3ware 9650SE on PCIEx8 and normally I don’t have throughput issues. Should I set up a cache drive to transcode to instead?
Note that transcoding from 1080p has never given me this issue.
Just checking: Are you running the machine without a monitor connected, or running Plex as a Service? That can cause weirdness with acceleration in Windows.
I happen to have a monitor connected to it as a test. This is a headless server (Though there is a monitor connected right now, but I run PLEX normally and not as a service.
The only thing I can think of is that I am remoted into the machine, but the logs still seem to indicate it is using NVENC for encoding.
Edit: I will end my RDP session and check the stats via the monitor.
Using RDP is no problem for acceleration as long as a monitor is plugged in. I do it all the time. If you get this worked out, you’ll need to buy a “dummy plug” from Amazon or something to mimic a connected monitor.
You shouldn’t need a dedicated transcode cache drive IMO. Unfortunately I’m otherwise no help, I have neither a P2000 nor 4K video. Sorry!
No problem and thanks for the help. I tried with rDP disconnected and same thing. I hope I can get this working as I paid over $400 for this card and right now it’s seems to be offering me no benefit.
the I7-6700K supports quick sync, which is what plex uses for hardware acceleration, as well as cuda supported nvidia cards. do you have the use hardware acceleration box checked by chance?
So the driver reinstall didn’t help…so I unchecked the box and while Yes, the CPU is pegged, it actually buffers less. I’ve got to be missing something.
Could this be an issue because I’m running it on a windows 2012 r2 server?
Hmm… It does sound very off… I can’t try 4k>4k transcode myself but I’ve had 10+ 1080p 20k bitrate transcodes running without a hitch. 4k>1080p also was no problem.
The problem does not seem to be that the card isn’t working, is seems like plex is failing somewhere.
Can you take a backup of your library and completely uninstall, then install plex again?
I’m running ubuntu-server now but I tested on windows 10 and it didn’t break a sweat.
Other than that, maybe try 2016 or win 10 on a partition.
Plex support should be able to help if nothing else works.
I tried going to my SSD (SATAIII so max 6gbps, which should still be enough) and then to my Raid 6 array which it is reading from. I also just tried a usb 3 drive i keep hooked up for backups with the same results. I could add in a spare drive though and see if that helps.
I"m about to do the build for my kids (i5-9600k based) and I may put plex on it when I install it and put the p2000 in there to test. I can shove a few movies over there to test. I don’t want to split out my server because it also houses my home automation system right now (which uses very little resources, but I don’t like it being down very long).
For right now I have a an old 22" dell plugged into one of the DP ports via the included DP → DVI adapter. I’m monitoring it remotely, but even when I monitor from the server, I get the same issues.
I will try removing the intel drivers just to be sure.
Removed the Intel drivers…it seems to be working. I was transcoding a 4k -> 2mbps 720p stream without buffering…then checked and it was using HW on the decode and not the encode. I guess my cpu can handle 1 4k transcode as long as i’m using HW acceleration on the decode…
The odd thing was that for one of my files I saw the GPU spike to the 30ish% range. But plex definitely did not say it was using HW acceleration on the encode.
I’m going to try a reinstall of the nvidia drivers again just to be sure.
reinstalling the drivers and it does go back to using the nvidia for HW acceleration, but it does the buffering again. I guess I’ll have to wait to try on Windows 10 unless anyone has any other ideas.
FWIW, with my Gigabyte motherboard it is a firmware setting that determines primary video card, which is the one used by Plex.
Also, take a look at HWMONITOR, https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html. Free utility for Windows that shows CPU & GPU utilization. Definitely works with GeForce cards. Not sure about Quadro.
Makes it easy to tell if system is using CPU, iGPU, or discrete GPU.
