Server Version#: 1.20.4.3517
Player Version#: Latest Version for Android TV, Windows App or Roku
Hi everyone, sorry if this has been addressed before, but I couldn’t find any post that could match my problem.
My sister is unable to direct play files remotely from her apartment and I’m not really sure why.
My server runs on an Intel i7 3770 processor with 8GB of ram and most of my content are low bitrate x265 MKV files with AAC audio tracks and SRT subtitles that I can direct play at home with my Samsung Smart TV and Nvidia Shield.
Even though my server is perfectly accessible remotely, at my sister’s, it is impossible for any device to direct play the files: I’ve tried Chrome, the Windows App, a Roku Stick + and even a Xaomi MiBox 4S. All of these are able to direct play the files at home, on the same network as the server.
The playback also stutters and becomes unwatchable. I’m not very network savy so I would appreciate some guidance. I did see another post here that suggested the way to solve this was to just forget about MKV files and only use MP4, but it is my understanding that if the device can direct play the file it shouldn’t matter if it’s remotely or not…
Have your sister play a H.265/AAC video with subtitles turned off.
Monitor playback via Plex Dashboard -> Now Playing. If necessary, toggle the button on the right to see details.
Does the connection show as local, remote, or indirect?
If indirect, she is connecting via Plex Relay, which is limited to 2 Mbps.
If playback shows as remote (desired result), check the settings in each of the Plex apps. The default setting for remote streaming is usually 720p/4Mbps. Change it to the setting that matches her download speed or to Maximum if her download speed exceeds the other choices.
Also check the Remote Access settings on your Plex Media Server. Set Internet Upload Speed and Limit Remote Stream Bitrate as appropriate for the uplink speed from your location.
If you changed any settings, have her play the movie again and see what happens.
I’ve tried this with the Roku Streaming Stick and, without the subtitles, I’m getting Direct Stream on the video and Transcoding on the Audio as you can see here (sorry it’s in spanish):
Also, it shows up as Remote. Internet Upload Speed and Remote Bitrate are set to my upload speed of 15mbps, and the Roku app is set to play at maximum quality.
Edit: forgot to mention, audio is being transcoded from AAC to AAC and I don’t get why…
This looks good. The Roku is Remote, not Indirect, so your Remote Access is working correctly. Also, the video is not transcoding.
Either the Roku or device to which it is attached (TV, soundbar, etc), probably does not support AAC 7.1 audio.
Does the movie have a different audio track you can try? Maybe AC3 5.1 or AAC 2.0? Find one that direct plays and see what happens.
To what is the Roku attached - TV/receiver/etc? Makes & models?
Audio transcoding is not CPU intensive. It should not cause buffering. Still, check the CPU utilization on your server when streaming. Make sure there is nothing abnormal going on.
The Roku is attached to an ordinary LED TV, no receiver or speakers whatsoever.
What I don’t get is that I played that same file on the same TV set at home with that same Roku and not only it didn’t transcode the audio, it played the SRT subtitles without transcoding the video, all Direct Play… so, I’m pretty sure both the TV and the Roku can handle it.
Furthermore, not even the Plex for Kodi (that to my understanding can direct play anything because of its player) on the Xiaomi Mi Box would Direct Play the files remotely, but it does locally.
According to the log files, the Roku and/or TV are configured to support a max of 2 audio channels. That is why the audio is transcoding for Into the Woods.
Check the settings of both devices.
Nov 12, 2020 10:12:05.659 [10392] DEBUG - [Transcode] Into the Woods - audio.channels limitation applies: 8 > 2
Nov 12, 2020 10:12:05.661 [10392] DEBUG - [Transcode] MDE: Cannot direct stream audio stream due to profile or setting limitations
Nov 12, 2020 10:12:05.662 [10392] DEBUG - [Transcode] Streaming Resource: Adding session 0x552c248:befab2011cae4d2823d47d229055a723 which is using 8279kbps of WAN bandwidth. Used is now 8279kbps
Nov 12, 2020 10:12:05.662 [10392] DEBUG - [Transcode] Streaming Resource: Reached Decision id=18221 codes=(General=1001,Direct play not available; Conversion OK. Direct Play=3000,App cannot direct play this item. Direct play is disabled. Transcode=1001,Direct play not available; Conversion OK.) media=(id=40763 part=(id=40858 decision=transcode container=mkv protocol=http streams=(Video=(id=89130 decision=copy width=1920 height=804) Audio=(id=89131 decision=transcode bitrate=258 encoder=aac_mf channels=2 rate=48000))))
The video is transcoding because it exceeds the limit: [Transcode] 50/50 - video.bitrate limitation applies: 14568 > 10912
In the Plex app on the Roku, check the remote bandwidth setting. Try changing it to original/unlimited if set to a lower value.
Plex has a “fudge factor” it uses when calculating remote streaming bandwidth requirements. I do not know how that calculation works. However, if you try to stream at 14.5 Mbps video with a 15 Mbps limit, it will transcode.
You might try raising the remote streaming limit on your server above 15 Mbps. If you raise it high enough it will eliminate transcoding due to bandwidth limits.
Your video will still buffer, as you’re pushing the limits of your upstream bandwidth. However, it will reduce the CPU utilization on your system due to video transcoding.
Your system may struggle when transcoding HEVC video. The 3770K does not support hardware decoding of HEVC video, so video transcoding will use the CPU, not the Intel HD Graphics 4000. To take advantage of hardware decoding for HEVC, you would have to add a GPU such as an Nvidia 1050 or better.
Roku and TV have no settings that allow it to change from stereo to something else. I guess the Roku would if I paired it with a receiver or home theater.
Raising que remote streaming limit did not work at all, the movie stopped completely with a warning about the connection not being fast enough.
I should try my GTX 1060 and see if it makes a y difference, but I’m not sure when will I be able to do so.
I have one final question if you don’t mind answering it… what is forcing Plex to transcode remotely when the server seems perfectly capable of playing the files locally with similar or even literally the same devices?
The log files say the remote equipment supports 2 channel audio. That is why Plex is transcoding the six/eight channel audio.
I do not have a Roku so I can’t help with device settings.
The video transcode is bandwidth related according to the log files.
Adding the 1060 would definitely help with transcoding HEVC video. Your system should transcode H.264 video OK, as that is supported by HD 4000 Graphics.
Hopefully somebody that has a Roku can lend a hand.
