TrueHD 7.1 question

Plex Players Smart TVs
1

Server Version#: 1.18.2.2058
Player Version#: Plex for LG 4.13.1 WEbos 3.8.0

Hi Guys,
I have a general question. I have movies that are TrueHD 7.1 audio. Plex is transcoding them to AAC, Xplay on the other hand plays them directly, why is this disparity there? I would gladly use Xplay instead of the plex media player but there is the catch, Xplay lags quite a lot whereas Plex plays fine those 4k HDR files.

My setup. Synology DS218+ connected to LG Oled65b7v Via ethernet. TV connected to router via 5GHZ Wifi (usb 3.0 lan option also available but not much better)

My question is , is there a way to optimise Xplay? Iss AAc inferior to TrueHD 7.1? Does AAc also have 7.1 sound channels or is it just stereo going to all the speakers?
I have a 7.1 setup and would like to enjoy and utilise it as such.

Thanks.

2

If you are using the TV speakers, then it will not matter from an audio quality point of view.

The TV does not support TrueHD audio, so the audio must be transcoded/decoded to a compatible format. This may happen on the Plex Media Server or on the client itself. The Plex LG app tells PMS to transcode the audio to AAC. It seems like XPlay is decoding the audio to PCM or some other format the TV understands. Because XPlay is changing things, PMS still reports Direct Play (note: I don’t user XPlay, so cannot speak to it in detail).

If you are sending audio to a receiver/soundbar via HDMI-ARC or via Optical, then the audio will still be transcoded/decoded. Neither HDMI-ARC nor Optical has the bandwidth to carry lossless 5.1+ audio. It can carry lossy 5.1 audio such as AC3 & dts.

If you want TrueHD 7.1 + Atmos audio, you basically have one choice: Use a Nvidia Shield connected to your audio system. The Shield is the only set top box that bitstreams TrueHD 7.1 + Atmos audio. It also bitstreams dts-HD MA 5.1/7.1 and dts:X audio if supported by your audio system. Note that it also direct plays PGS & VOBSUB subtitles. Enabling PGS/VOBSUB subtitles in the Plex LG app forces a video transcode.

Note that Blu-ray movies with TrueHD audio tracks also contain a Dolby Digital audio track. The Plex LG app will direct play Dolby Digital (and dts) audio up to 5.1 channels. This will allow you to direct play the audio and pass it to your sound system via HDMI-ARC or Optical. However, you will be limited to 5.1 channels.

Additional Info re: Plex LG app

  • Enabling PGS or VOBSUB subtitles in the Plex LG app forces a video transcode, no matter what audio format is in use.
  • SRT subtitles direct play.
  • However, if the audio is transcoding and SRT subtitles are enabled, the video will also transcode. Plex does this to keep the video, audio, & subtitle tracks in sync with each other.

Additional Info re: Nvidia Shield

  • The Shield direct plays PGS, VOBSUB, & SRT subtitles.
  • However, if the audio is transcoding and subtitles are enabled, the video will also transcode. Plex does this to keep the video, audio, & subtitle tracks in sync with each other.
1 Like
3

Hi
Thanks for your response. I don’t use the TV speakers they are atrocious. I have a 7.1 montior audio system with a Denon 2400 amp. So naturally would like to utilise the sound system. The reason why I like to stick to the TVs own native Plex and xplay apps is the convenience of only using one remote. I love the kg magic remote and am dead against introducing another remote into the mix. On the other hand I am unsure of the magic remote can control the shield competently.

4

I have the same problem. When I enable SRT subtitles and want to transcode only audio, plex also transcode video. You should solve this problem anyway, many users are problematic with this. Otherwise, Plex is mostly useless for me and for many users. Or is there any way to change this option in config file?

5

This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.