I have a low resolution DV recording (720x480) that I’m compressing to H.264 in an MP4 container, with Handbrake, and I cannot seem to find the settings which will let it play direct without transcoding. It’ll play direct on my LAN, but not remotely. I should have the bandwidth settings high enough to be able to do that, but it insists on transcoding.
I have attached the files info from Plex as well as Mediainfo. One is a normal sane setting for the h264/MP4, and the other is like really basic. No CABAC or anything fancy. Neither go above level 3.1, but it still transcodes outside of my LAN! Any ideas? I’m starting to think it’s a setting in my Plex Server because I’m made these pretty basic.
One of these is an MKV. I just noticed. It’s two files of about 8 different combinations I tried, and changing the container was one of my variables. Still no go either way.
I think the issue is the audio sample rate. 32 kHz is very unusual. Many devices only support 44.1 and 48 (and sometimes higher).
If you look at the detail info of the Status screen, I expect you to see that only audio gets transcoded (which doesn’t produce that much load on the server).
Yeah, DV audio is originally 32Khz. I suppose I could try bumping that to 48Khz. However, it’s both video and audio that gets transcoded. It also plays direct on the LAN. The attached screenshot is my iPhone 6s, but it does it on a Roku too.
OK, it looks like my iPhone is setting my WAN bandwidth very low and transcoding. Cellular data. I might be on to something here, although I don’t know about the Roku. I’ll have to get that tested outside elsewhere again.
Try your phone when logged into your home WiFi.
Roku != Roku
there are several generations of devices - all with different abilities.
One potential issue with very old devices is the anamorphism of the video.
Anamorphic: true
Always compare those results with playback in the web app.
If the video Direct Plays when your iPhone is on your local WiFi, then the video should Direct Play when your iPhone is using cellular or a remote WiFi (based on my experience w/ my Android phone anyway).
In addition to Plex client settings, in PMS, check Settings -> Server -> Remote Access -> Internet Upload Speed and Limit Remote Stream Bitrate.
Bandwidth in “basic-mediainfo.txt” is 4462 kbps. If this is greater than either of above settings, PMS will transcode the video.
In Handbrake suggest setting FPS to “same as source” and variable frame rate, which it looks like you did with the “normal” video. As shown in MediaInfo, the bandwidth is much less, 3440 kbps vs 4462 kbps.
If you have some high fps media (ex: 720p60 or 1080p60), you can choose a specific frame rate but also select “Peak Framerate.” This lets you set a max frame rate that all your clients can handle (23.976, 24, etc) and still see bandwidth savings.
Choosing a fixed constant frame rate is not bandwidth efficient. Essentially, it forces Handbrake to stuff in extra data where it is not necessarily needed. There are times CFR is needed, but recent clients should work fine with VFR.
See Handbrake docs: https://handbrake.fr/docs/en/latest/technical/frame-rates.html
I’ll need to test the Roku at my friend’s house again. It was her streaming the file where I saw it transcoding, even though the Roku was on home Wifi with a 60Mb cable connection. Since I can indeed see it play direct on my home LAN, I assume I have something set wrong somewhere outside of the file encoding. If not I’ll be back. Thanks everyone.
