Hi,
We are looking into this issue.
Thanks,
when i play a 7gb file 1080p through the plex app on my 360 the quality is 4MB 720p. I have checked all the settings and i've got 20MB 1080P set under local quality. Are you looking into this?
Thanks both for taking the time to look at this. It is appreciated.
The format of one of the files with issue is as follows. This plays directly on the Xbox system video player and most of my files are in this format, but I do have others that differ slightly that don't play either.
General
Complete name : U:\The Thing (1982).mp4
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : Base Media / Version 2
Codec ID : mp42
File size : 2.21 GiB
Duration : 1h 48mn
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 2 904 Kbps
Movie name : Main Movie
Encoded date : UTC 2014-11-02 21:37:24
Tagged date : UTC 2014-11-03 00:16:26
Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.9 2013052900Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 4 frames
Codec ID : avc1
Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video Coding
Duration : 1h 48mn
Bit rate : 2 100 Kbps
Width : 1 916 pixels
Height : 816 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 2.35:1
Frame rate mode : Variable
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Minimum frame rate : 19.608 fps
Maximum frame rate : 32.258 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.056
Stream size : 1.59 GiB (72%)
Writing library : x264 core 130 r2273 b3065e6
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=6 / lookahead_threads=1 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=300 / keyint_min=30 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=2100 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=62500 / vbv_bufsize=78125 / nal_hrd=none / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Encoded date : UTC 2014-11-02 21:37:24
Tagged date : UTC 2014-11-03 00:16:26
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Thanks for sharing the details. We are investigating to resolve this, I tried with a Mp4 file, its working for me. I would like to reproduce exact issue. If possible could you share mp4 sample clip having this problem?
Hi Milan
I will produce a sample clip but it's going to take me a few days as I'm away from home. To expedite matters, you could take your own sample very simply.
I use the latest version of Handbrake (version are in the file details above).
I load an mkv into handbrake for conversion.
Select high profile.
Change the filters to all off.
Then change the video to average bit rate of 2100, with a 2-Pass encode.
Uncheck "large file size".
And that's it. The files are generally rips of my old hd-dvd collection, in 1080p, with 5.1 sound.
I hope this helps.
Hey Paul,
Converted a MKV to Mp4 file with your settings in HandBrake, :( I could not reproduce the issue. My converted video works well in 360. See my video details below.
General
Complete name : D:\Falling.skies.eight.hours.s01e10.720p.bluray-1.m4vFormat : MPEG-4Format profile : Base Media / Version 2Codec ID : mp42File size : 813 MiBDuration : 39mn 6sOverall bit rate mode : VariableOverall bit rate : 2 907 KbpsEncoded date : UTC 2014-11-07 05:42:49Tagged date : UTC 2014-11-07 05:59:22Writing application : HandBrake 0.9.9 2013052900VideoID : 1Format : AVCFormat/Info : Advanced Video CodecFormat profile : High@L4.1Format settings, CABAC : YesFormat settings, ReFrames : 4 framesCodec ID : avc1Codec ID/Info : Advanced Video CodingDuration : 39mn 6sBit rate : 2 100 KbpsWidth : 1 280 pixelsHeight : 720 pixelsDisplay aspect ratio : 16:9Frame rate mode : VariableFrame rate : 23.976 fpsMinimum frame rate : 23.810 fpsMaximum frame rate : 24.390 fpsColor space : YUVChroma subsampling : 4:2:0Bit depth : 8 bitsScan type : ProgressiveBits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.095Stream size : 588 MiB (72%)Writing library : x264 core 130 r2273 b3065e6Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=3 / deblock=1:0:0 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=hex / subme=7 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.00 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-2 / threads=12 / lookahead_threads=2 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=1 / b_bias=0 / direct=1 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=240 / keyint_min=24 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=40 / rc=2pass / mbtree=1 / bitrate=2100 / ratetol=1.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / cplxblur=20.0 / qblur=0.5 / vbv_maxrate=62500 / vbv_bufsize=78125 / nal_hrd=none / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00Encoded date : UTC 2014-11-07 05:42:49Tagged date : UTC 2014-11-07 05:59:21Color primaries : BT.709Transfer characteristics : BT.709Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Try to send a sample when you come back to home.
Thanks,
Milan
Hey Paul,
Converted a MKV to Mp4 file with your settings in HandBrake, :( I could not reproduce the issue. My converted video works well in 360. See my video details below.
Try to send a sample when you come back to home.
Thanks,
Milan
Will do Milan.
I'm not surprised you can't reproduce it, because I don't think it's a problem with the file as such.
I think there's something weird happening on the server side because whenever I try to play a file in the format above, Plex activity log states it's direct play but there's a transcoder process churning away on the server "Plexnewtranscoder.exe" or something like that. It uses a lot of CPU and my media server is an old but very stable and reliable server, with not much grunt.
I wonder whether my PC can't handle whatever the "transcoder" process is doing, hence the constant buffering.
You could look at this and see if the process fires up on your server too? I'm puzzled as to why it's running when I'm playing my files, because they should be direct play (as reported by the activity log). Maybe you could sanity check why this is happening and whether it's really necessary?
when i play a 7gb file 1080p through the plex app on my 360 the quality is 4MB 720p. I have checked all the settings and i've got 20MB 1080P set under local quality. Are you looking into this?
Hi,
Can you please give more detail about your issue. What is happening?
If you need to change your default quality: select QUALITY button and change quality to what you'd like
Thanks,
Eugene
Will do Milan.
I'm not surprised you can't reproduce it, because I don't think it's a problem with the file as such.
I think there's something weird happening on the server side because whenever I try to play a file in the format above, Plex activity log states it's direct play but there's a transcoder process churning away on the server "Plexnewtranscoder.exe" or something like that. It uses a lot of CPU and my media server is an old but very stable and reliable server, with not much grunt.
I wonder whether my PC can't handle whatever the "transcoder" process is doing, hence the constant buffering.
You could look at this and see if the process fires up on your server too? I'm puzzled as to why it's running when I'm playing my files, because they should be direct play (as reported by the activity log). Maybe you could sanity check why this is happening and whether it's really necessary?
Thanks for checking the CPU usage. Verified my server, same happening here too. I think the CPU usage of the "Plexnewtranscoder.exe" is causing the buffering in the player, maybe its hitting peak.
Xbox 360 do not support some file types, Hence the video is transcoded to play media files in Xbox360.
Thanks for checking the CPU usage. Verified my server, same happening here too. I think the CPU usage of the "Plexnewtranscoder.exe" is causing the buffering in the player, maybe its hitting peak.
Xbox 360 do not support some file types, Hence the video is transcoded to play media files in Xbox360.
Thanks Milan, but isn't this the point of contention. Plex thinks it's direct play from the activity log and yet the transcoder is running? Also, these files play fine on the Xbox system video player, with Plex as the DLNA server, where no transcoding takes place?
I'm looking at it right now, but when played by DLNA - no transcoder.exe, but played via Plex it's there and hammers the CPU. Yet in both scenarios Plex activity shows direct play.
This sounds odd to me. Why is there a difference?
Thanks Milan, but isn't this the point of contention. Plex thinks it's direct play from the activity log and yet the transcoder is running? Also, these files play fine on the Xbox system video player, with Plex as the DLNA server, where no transcoding takes place?
I'm looking at it right now, but when played by DLNA - no transcoder.exe, but played via Plex it's there and hammers the CPU. Yet in both scenarios Plex activity shows direct play.
This sounds odd to me. Why is there a difference?
Exactly, the transcoder.exe process does not run on the Plex server when using the DLNA client on Xbox 360 to view video, but always appears to run when using the Plex client on Xbox 360 to view video.
Exactly, the transcoder.exe process does not run on the Plex server when using the DLNA client on Xbox 360 to view video, but always appears to run when using the Plex client on Xbox 360 to view video.
I Second this motion...
Thanks Milan, but isn't this the point of contention. Plex thinks it's direct play from the activity log and yet the transcoder is running? Also, these files play fine on the Xbox system video player, with Plex as the DLNA server, where no transcoding takes place?
I'm looking at it right now, but when played by DLNA - no transcoder.exe, but played via Plex it's there and hammers the CPU. Yet in both scenarios Plex activity shows direct play.
This sounds odd to me. Why is there a difference?
Hi Milan
Have you had a chance to look at these comments as yet? I'd really like to use and PAY for Plex on Xbox, but it doesn't work for me, due to this issue. If it is was a plain and simple answer of your media server can't handle it then I'd accept it and move on, but my hunch is that the transcoder process should not be running and there is a slight "problem" right now.
The urgency for me is I cancelled my Plex Pass, because the Xbox client is useless for me and my current pass will expire in the next week or so. That of course means I can't test whether it's fixed at some point, or communicate with you about it on this "member only" forum.
Cheers
Paul.
I was playing an H.264/AAC Stereo MP4 file last night and the Plex transcoder process pegged all six cores of my processor. I also use Media Browser 3 Classic with Windows Media Center and the Xbox 360 as an extender, and it plays in MB3 without issue, and my media center PC had no processes using that much CPU while playing it there.
For the longest time now I've been re-encoding all my media to H264 L4.1 High profile with stereo AAC audio in MP4 format for the best compatibility with the 360 as it's been my main media box. Plex works for me, but I suspect it is because my media pc has the required horsepower to transcode at better than real time (even when it doesn't need to) so I just haven't noticed.
I don't currently have a log file to share though (away from home) but I can share any additional details required when I am near that pc again.
I was playing an H.264/AAC Stereo MP4 file last night and the Plex transcoder process pegged all six cores of my processor. I also use Media Browser 3 Classic with Windows Media Center and the Xbox 360 as an extender, and it plays in MB3 without issue, and my media center PC had no processes using that much CPU while playing it there.
For the longest time now I've been re-encoding all my media to H264 L4.1 High profile with stereo AAC audio in MP4 format for the best compatibility with the 360 as it's been my main media box. Plex works for me, but I suspect it is because my media pc has the required horsepower to transcode at better than real time (even when it doesn't need to) so I just haven't noticed.
I don't currently have a log file to share though (away from home) but I can share any additional details required when I am near that pc again.
Thanks for responding. I would imagine you're spot on with the point about it processing without you noticing and I bet many others likewise. Of course, the transcoding doesn't happen when the same file is played via Plex server, DLNA and the in-built 360 video player, but does when played via the new Plex 360 app (even though the server activity log say's it's direct play). Go figure......it doesn't stack up to me.
Thanks for responding. I would imagine you're spot on with the point about it processing without you noticing and I bet many others likewise. Of course, the transcoding doesn't happen when the same file is played via Plex server, DLNA and the in-built 360 video player, but does when played via the new Plex 360 app (even though the server activity log say's it's direct play). Go figure......it doesn't stack up to me.
Yeah, there's definitely a bug there, as in all other use cases it doesn't transcode for the 360.
But, that's all a part of being an early preview right. I don't mind being a guinea pig here, since I've longed for Plex native client on my 360 pretty much forever. I'd love to be able to ditch media center extender/media browser for this, as it hasn't been the most reliable for stored media in my environment.
Yeah, there's definitely a bug there, as in all other use cases it doesn't transcode for the 360.
But, that's all a part of being an early preview right. I don't mind being a guinea pig here, since I've longed for Plex native client on my 360 pretty much forever. I'd love to be able to ditch media center extender/media browser for this, as it hasn't been the most reliable for stored media in my environment.
I agree with you there, but my pass runs out soon and I don't want to pay for the privilege of just been able to see whether it's fixed or not. The only thing I'm trying to achieve is to get the devs to acknowledge it is a problem/bug and that it will be looked at, so I stand a chance of using the app at some point in the future.
I'm a big fan of Plex and use it extensively and I was pleased when I heard it was coming to Xbox. Funnily enough I've just purchased an Xbone too, which hasn't arrived as yet, but it will be interesting to see whether the same symptoms occur when playing stuff on that.
I agree with you there, but my pass runs out soon and I don't want to pay for the privilege of just been able to see whether it's fixed or not. The only thing I'm trying to achieve is to get the devs to acknowledge it is a problem/bug and that it will be looked at, so I stand a chance of using the app at some point in the future.
I'm a big fan of Plex and use it extensively and I was pleased when I heard it was coming to Xbox. Funnily enough I've just purchased an Xbone too, which hasn't arrived as yet, but it will be interesting to see whether the same symptoms occur when playing stuff on that.
I've been a lifetime plex-passer for a while now, even before the announcement about the price increase.
I think it was around the time Plex for Chromecast was first released. It suffered from similar issues to this at the time, but now it's pretty stable. I still get the odd file that plain refuses to play, but further investigation reveals that my PC usually struggles with it as well, making me think it's a problem with the specific file, not my configuration.
I would like an xb1, but I just dropped nearly a thousand fixing my furnace (unexpectedly) so that's going to be a no go for a while yet. :-(
Hi,
Can you please give more detail about your issue. What is happening?
If you need to change your default quality: select QUALITY button and change quality to what you'd like
Thanks,
Eugene
Yeah that works on each file i play since i posted that post. I can simply select the quality however it defaults to 720p despite what i select in preferences -> settings -> Player - > local quality. Also I have since discovered in plex home theatre i can set the overall audio delay in settings AND adjust video by video after hitting play under audio settings.
Is there a way to do this in plex on the xbox?
The reason i need to do this is the second i go above the default quality the lip sync becomes an issue and so far i've found no way to adjust it.
Also in the activity monitor section it's always saying direct play even though i'm always playing mp4. Is this correct? please excuse my ignorance if it's correct.
Finally Plex arrives on the Xbox 360 but it doesn't work. It wants to transcode everything. All my 6Mbps 1080p mkv movies are being transcoded to 4Mbps 720p. My settings in my Plex server are 8Mbps 1080p but the 360 Plex app doesn't care. I have looked all over this app for a place to specify output but I can't find it. It's in the roku app but not the 360 app. My Plex server is a Synology NAS. That little Atom CPU can't handle transcoding everything. This is very frustrating.
Hi Milan
Have you had a chance to look at these comments as yet? I'd really like to use and PAY for Plex on Xbox, but it doesn't work for me, due to this issue. If it is was a plain and simple answer of your media server can't handle it then I'd accept it and move on, but my hunch is that the transcoder process should not be running and there is a slight "problem" right now.
The urgency for me is I cancelled my Plex Pass, because the Xbox client is useless for me and my current pass will expire in the next week or so. That of course means I can't test whether it's fixed at some point, or communicate with you about it on this "member only" forum.
Cheers
Paul.
Milan - There seems to be radio silence at the moment?
Not sure if this is the problem, but Im pretty sure the Xbox 360 doesn't like files with 8x8dct=1 in the encoding settings, even if it's h.264. Could that be why it's transcoding?
