As I get more and more 4k content, I have realized that even though I may produce a 1080p or 720p optimized file, if the bit rate doesn’t match exactly from the requestor, it will always transcode the 4k file, which kills my server.
For instance, if I transcode my 4k file to 20mbps 1080p and someone requests an 8mbps 1080p version it will transcode the 4k. Why not just use the optimized file? yes, I realize that this means the file will have been transcoded twice, but that is better than killing my server. I can’t keep every possible format.
I would even like to not worry about 720p optimized files. I wouldn’t care transcoding the 1080p optimized file for someone requesting a 720p file. My server can handle 4-8 1080p streams, but only 1 4k stream.
Plex transcode process isn’t smart when it comes to things like this. It will always fall back to use the “original” file for transcode purposes.
What you want to do is “Plex Dance” your files. In other words remove the 4K file and only have in place the 1080p file and scan it. Verify that ONLY the 1080p file is recognized.
Now add the 4K file back and scan again. If you do this then any transcodes will now use the “original” file which is the 1080p version.
That gets messy but does work. What most of us do it just keep a separate 4K library. Only share the 4K library with people who can direct play it. Just put the 1080p version in your normal library.
Thus this way you can choose the version by choosing the library you play it from.
My question is then, why not make the transcode process smarter (what my feature request is for). Just because it doesn’t do it now, doesn’t mean it can’t.
If the resolutions are databased in any way, it should be no problem to rank them by resolution and choose the next highest resolution to transcode from if the resolution being requested isn’t present (this would be my initial thought if I were to do it).
Plex is smart enough to play the correct resolution if it’s there automatically, this should just be an extension of that.
Count me in on the group that is starting to migrate to 4K and just discovered this. I couldn’t believe it. I am now doing the work around of putting all of my 4k in separate library. It’s annoying but it works for now. I really how the “streaming brain” transcoder gets a little bit smarter.
