@FlixNow
During preview, Plex Home users are not included in the whitelist.
@Gregflix Ah that’s a shame. Thanks for the reply though
Seems to be working well for me with the web player with the new version 1.9.0.4252. However, once the stream reaches the actual bitrate of the movie file, I would expect the transcoder to basically be doing a Direct Stream. The cpu usage, however, doesn’t seem to reduce to Direct Stream levels. It is still working just as hard as when it is doing “real work” to transcode the movie to a lower bitrate. I know that there isn’t much chance of the functionality switching between auto transcode and Direct Play any time soon (as mentioned earlier in this thread), but I would hope that there is a way to reduce the cpu load when it should really just be copying the streams with no modification (i.e., Direct Stream). (By the way, auto switching to and from Direct Play would be awesome… And switching between Direct Play of Optimized versions would be incredible!!! Just like what Netflix does… I hope that is coming some day!)
@djsecrist said:
Seems to be working well for me with the web player with the new version 1.9.0.4252. However, once the stream reaches the actual bitrate of the movie file, I would expect the transcoder to basically be doing a Direct Stream. The cpu usage, however, doesn’t seem to reduce to Direct Stream levels. It is still working just as hard as when it is doing “real work” to transcode the movie to a lower bitrate. I know that there isn’t much chance of the functionality switching between auto transcode and Direct Play any time soon (as mentioned earlier in this thread), but I would hope that there is a way to reduce the cpu load when it should really just be copying the streams with no modification (i.e., Direct Stream). (By the way, auto switching to and from Direct Play would be awesome… And switching between Direct Play of Optimized versions would be incredible!!! Just like what Netflix does… I hope that is coming some day!)
I would also like to know if the transcoder will switch to direct stream when the bandwidth is available.
@hartertw
Look here
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/115007570148
Limitations of Auto Quality
@hartertw said:
@djsecrist said:
Seems to be working well for me with the web player with the new version 1.9.0.4252. However, once the stream reaches the actual bitrate of the movie file, I would expect the transcoder to basically be doing a Direct Stream. The cpu usage, however, doesn’t seem to reduce to Direct Stream levels. It is still working just as hard as when it is doing “real work” to transcode the movie to a lower bitrate. I know that there isn’t much chance of the functionality switching between auto transcode and Direct Play any time soon (as mentioned earlier in this thread), but I would hope that there is a way to reduce the cpu load when it should really just be copying the streams with no modification (i.e., Direct Stream). (By the way, auto switching to and from Direct Play would be awesome… And switching between Direct Play of Optimized versions would be incredible!!! Just like what Netflix does… I hope that is coming some day!)I would also like to know if the transcoder will switch to direct stream when the bandwidth is available.
They said it wouldn’t previously. Should be possible though, emby is doing it.
Hello,
i tried this feature, but sometimes quality drops drastically.
Is there a way to tell plex which is the minimum quality that can be used?
I mean for me it is ok not under 720p, under that i prefer to wait a little instead a worse quality.
Tnx
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?
@Gregflix This is amazing, literally like having my own Netflix Server now.
@Nott240 said:
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?
Plex will use the same source video. It does not switch to using a different version. By default, the original will be used, unless you manually choose to “Play Version”, then the selected version will be used.
Plex team, this is probably the best improvement to the already outstanding plex service.
Keep up the good work!
I can’t wait for this to be made a public setting and available across the other application platforms.
I have a couple of family members that watch from my server remotely (with there own plex account), there internet is always a burden and as such, plex is not really a valid option for them to watch consistently. This should resolve this once the setting is public and available on the other platforms.
I’m probably reaching a bit, but is there any expectation as to when this would be made public? I have a playstation user that would be made very very happy!
Since this is only Android, iOS, web and Android TV etc, does this stretch across to Chromecast? Or is that another can of worms.
The application I most look forward to seeing this feature is the Plex for Samsung developed by @Orca. Orca, I absolutely love your application for my 2x 2015 JU6400, keep up the good work! Looking forward to 2.009.
@MovieFan.Plex said:
@Nott240 said:
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?Plex will use the same source video. It does not switch to using a different version. By default, the original will be used, unless you manually choose to “Play Version”, then the selected version will be used.
So when this become default enabled it will essential make any optimized version useless? Should I not bother doing them at all?
@Nott240 said:
@MovieFan.Plex said:
@Nott240 said:
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?Plex will use the same source video. It does not switch to using a different version. By default, the original will be used, unless you manually choose to “Play Version”, then the selected version will be used.
So when this become default enabled it will essential make any optimized version useless? Should I not bother doing them at all?
Pretty much. Your clients have to CHOOSE the optimized version anyway, the “plex brain” isn’t smart enough to realize the transcoding is done already… I’ve given up on Plex optimized files a long time ago
i tried this feature, but sometimes quality drops drastically.
If you hit this issue, could you send us a copy of thePlex Transcoder Statistics.logfile in your Plex Media Server logs? That will help us diagnose the issue. Drastic quality drops are not expected and are bugs.
@Nott240
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?
Optimized Versions are designed to allow an additional constant quality level to low-powered Plex servers that can’t transcode on the fly. We’ll continue to support this scenario. Auto Quality is a very different beast, though, and requires on-the-fly transcoding to one of 10+ possible quality levels.
The nitty gritty: Even if Plex Media Server could use your Optimized Version for 1 of these 10+ Auto Quality settings, it wouldn’t do much to reduce your transcoding load, since the other 9+ quality options would require transcoding. Additionally, the Optimized Versions are encoded in a more efficient / higher quality way that is incompatible with Auto Quality’s requirement of being able to switch quality levels. (Technically: Optimized Versions are allowed to have long and variable GOP lengths for higher efficiency, while all Auto Quality versions must have a keyframe exactly every 3 seconds to allow for switching between quality levels at 3 second intervals.)
Since this is only Android, iOS, web and Android TV etc, does this stretch across to Chromecast? Or is that another can of worms.
Chromecast is coming, but not in this first public release. We have it working with Auto Quality internally, but our player engine needs a significant update to support Live TV and Auto Quality correctly. It’s high on our list.
The application I most look forward to seeing this feature is the Plex for Samsung developed by @Orca. Orca, I absolutely love your application for my 2x 2015 JU6400, keep up the good work! Looking forward to 2.009.
Note that there are two Plex for Samsung apps – one for the legacy Samsung TVs, maintained by @Orca, and one for the modern Tizen Samsung TVs, maintained by Plex. The model you mention is a Tizen model, which uses the first-party Plex app. That will likely receive an update to Auto Quality in a coming version. (Our initial Auto Quality tests on the legacy Samsung TVs were not promising, due to limitations in Samsung’s video decoder, and those older models are unlikely to support Auto Quality.)
@Gregflix, that’s great news about the chromecast! As if you can get that going, it’s certainly a cheap solution to my remote users who would require Auto Quality.
@Gregflix, unfortunately, you’re wrong there. The 2015 JU6400 samsung (http://www.samsung.com/au/tvs/uhd-ju6400/UA60JU6400WXXY/), while Tizen based, runs Samsung Smart Hub. Thus uses Orca’s app.
If you look at the samsung website linked above, it has a photo of Samsung Smart Hub, vs Tizen OS.
Orca has previously mentioned as well a quick check. J and older models = Smart Hub, K and newer models = Tizen.
@Orca, do you have any input as to whether your app would ever support auto quality?
PS, I actually have a UA40K5500 Samsung TV as well using the first party developed application. Fortunately and unfortunately, this TV is on my home network and direct play’s everything without a hitch, so I don’t have a need for Auto Quality on this (but won’t say no!).
@Gregflix, another user I have uses the playstation app. Do you anticipate the auto quality coming to that?
Thanks very much for your time.
Are we looking at this becoming the default option in a general release soon, and will this incorporate managed users?
@Gregflix said:
@Fabio_Brassi tried this feature, but sometimes quality drops drastically.
If you hit this issue, could you send us a copy of thePlex Transcoder Statistics.logfile in your Plex Media Server logs? That will help us diagnose the issue. Drastic quality drops are not expected and are bugs.
I’ll try to make some tests and attach log.
Just a question.
I’ve just realized that for some movies i don’t have option to convert automatically, while on others i have it.
Is this normal?
How can i have that option on every movie?
Tnx
@KarlDag said:
@Nott240 said:
@MovieFan.Plex said:
@Nott240 said:
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?Plex will use the same source video. It does not switch to using a different version. By default, the original will be used, unless you manually choose to “Play Version”, then the selected version will be used.
So when this become default enabled it will essential make any optimized version useless? Should I not bother doing them at all?
Pretty much. Your clients have to CHOOSE the optimized version anyway, the “plex brain” isn’t smart enough to realize the transcoding is done already… I’ve given up on Plex optimized files a long time ago
That’s sad to hear, I was thinking about optimizing my high quality 1080p bitrate stuff to 720p and I was hoping that if someone went to play it and choose the quality 720p it would direct play the 720p instead of transcoding it.
I think I’m not going to bother at all with it then…
@Nott240
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?
Optimized Versions are designed to allow an additional constant quality level to low-powered Plex servers that can’t transcode on the fly. We’ll continue to support this scenario. Auto Quality is a very different beast, though, and requires on-the-fly transcoding to one of 10+ possible quality levels.The nitty gritty: Even if Plex Media Server could use your Optimized Version for 1 of these 10+ Auto Quality settings, it wouldn’t do much to reduce your transcoding load, since the other 9+ quality options would require transcoding. Additionally, the Optimized Versions are encoded in a more efficient / higher quality way that is incompatible with Auto Quality’s requirement of being able to switch quality levels. (Technically: Optimized Versions are allowed to have long and variable GOP lengths for higher efficiency, while all Auto Quality versions must have a keyframe exactly every 3 seconds to allow for switching between quality levels at 3 second intervals.)
I would prefer that auto quality check for a stable streaming quality that client can have and then just load a optimized version.
Example : One of my users can’t play my 30 Mbps+ 1080p file, but it’s stable enough to play 720p and I have already a optimized version, It is MUCH better for me to have it direct play 720p automatically than keep getting negligible quality improvements.
I also think the auto quality should prefer stability instead of getting the maximum quality possible every second. Just find a quality it can stream to 90% of the time and stick to it.
Truth is you can assume a stable connection for most devices excluding phones ( and you could further check if user on the phone is on mobile data or wireless and signal strength ), if they can’t stream something is usually because of bandwidth and not stability of connection.
@Nott240 said:
Pretty much. Your clients have to CHOOSE the optimized version anyway, the “plex brain” isn’t smart enough to realize the transcoding is done already… I’ve given up on Plex optimized files a long time ago
That’s sad to hear, I was thinking about optimizing my high quality 1080p bitrate stuff to 720p and I was hoping that if someone went to play it and choose the quality 720p it would direct play the 720p instead of transcoding it.
What’s even more sad is that the statement is wrong. The server will choose optimized versions if they meet the criteria (bandwidth, can be played by client, client allows direct play, etc…).
Truth is you can assume a stable connection for most devices excluding phones ( and you could further check if user on the phone is on mobile data or wireless and signal strength ), if they can’t stream something is usually because of bandwidth and not stability of connection.
From user reports, bandwidth does change radically in certain circumstances such as a commute to/from work. LTE ↔ 3G, in/out of congested towers, in/out of WiFi, etc… Then there’s the people using WiFi in densely populated areas such as an apartment complex where speeds can vary wildly. If you are stationary, your bandwidth won’t vary much but if you move around over a long period of time, it can vary wildly.
@gbooker02 said:
@Nott240 said:
Pretty much. Your clients have to CHOOSE the optimized version anyway, the “plex brain” isn’t smart enough to realize the transcoding is done already… I’ve given up on Plex optimized files a long time ago
That’s sad to hear, I was thinking about optimizing my high quality 1080p bitrate stuff to 720p and I was hoping that if someone went to play it and choose the quality 720p it would direct play the 720p instead of transcoding it.
What’s even more sad is that the statement is wrong. The server will choose optimized versions if they meet the criteria (bandwidth, can be played by client, client allows direct play, etc…).
You’re telling me that if I ask to play a file that has both an HEVC version and a pre-optimized version on a chromecast WITHOUT using the “play version” button, PMS will decide to stream the optimized version? Never worked for me.> @Nott240 said:
@KarlDag said:
@Nott240 said:
@MovieFan.Plex said:
@Nott240 said:
How this works with optimized versions? Say I have a 1080p @ 30 Mbps+ original, a optimized 8 Mpbs and a optimized 720p 4 Mbps, will it still transcode without necessity instead of just streaming best optimized possible stream?Plex will use the same source video. It does not switch to using a different version. By default, the original will be used, unless you manually choose to “Play Version”, then the selected version will be used.
So when this become default enabled it will essential make any optimized version useless? Should I not bother doing them at all?
Pretty much. Your clients have to CHOOSE the optimized version anyway, the “plex brain” isn’t smart enough to realize the transcoding is done already… I’ve given up on Plex optimized files a long time ago
That’s sad to hear, I was thinking about optimizing my high quality 1080p bitrate stuff to 720p and I was hoping that if someone went to play it and choose the quality 720p it would direct play the 720p instead of transcoding it.
I think I’m not going to bother at all with it then…
What you COULD do it pre-optimize you files, but send those new versions in a NEW folder apart from your library.
Create a new library, let’s call it “optimized movies”, and only share that one library with your friends and family… they’ll only see the optimized files. I just find it to be a messy workaround.
