When will 4K remote streaming be offered?

[jasondunn]

I did some searching, including in the FAQ, but can’t find an answer to this: when will Plex offer 4K remote streaming? I’ve started to rip 4K UHD discs, have transcoded them to 4K MP4s, and the quality is fantastic. I have 40mbps upstream, so I could easily stream 1-2 4K streams. When will Plex support this? I can’t be alone in wanting it. Any info on this @ChuckPa?

EDIT: I’m specifically asking about the remote quality menu which, for me, stops at 1080p. Or if I set it to Maximum that would include 4K? If so, it should say that.

[anon18523487]

Plex already supports streaming 4K. There are some clients that cannot play 4k, so PMS will need to transcode down to 1080p.

[emripoohie]

Remote streaming of 4K content on Plex is currently possible, I share my Plex account with multiple family members and they have been able to stream my 4K movies with no problem at all (see screenshots below).

Obviously there are a couple of things involved here:

• Direct Stream vs Directly Play for the remote user - Normally I would say use direct play if their network and hardware can handle it, direct stream is a bit more intensive on the hosts (your) hardware, so your setup needs to be able to handle a transcode of 4k content
• Network setup - Plex will transcode based on the quality your network can handle, always best to be hardwired but newer streaming devices can handle higher wifi signals from your wifi network.
• The remote user has the capable hardware to handle 4k content (4k Streaming Device, 4K TV, etc.)

Hope that helps

[TeknoJunky]

@jasondunn

40mbps upstream, so I could easily stream 1-2 4K streams

heh, 4k bluray rips can exceed 100mbs, so don’t expect your 40mbs to be enough for direct play (no transcoding).

the bitrates shown above are AVE.

ideally you will need 100+ mbs upload for just ONE 4k stream. likewise your remote client will need 100+ download.

But anyway, you can easily find this out for yourself by watching a 4k direct play movie in the plex web status will show live bandwidth.

You will need the same bandwidth remote, as it takes locally, if you are wanting to direct play.

In any case, already mentioned, 4k remote stream is already supported all you need is;

• fast enough upload bandwidth (your server internet upload)
• fast enough download bandwidth (your remote client internet download)
• properly configured remote 4k compatible direct play client

[jasondunn]

I updated my post with a screenshot - I don’t see 4K listed there, so I assumed it wouldn’t do it. Does Maximum = 4K?

[TeknoJunky]

@jasondunn

Does Maximum = 4K

essentially yes.

also it appears you are using plex web, most web browsers do not support hdr or hd audio, so unless your client can actually direct play the content your attempting to stream, then you will still get transcoding.

[jasondunn]

@TeknoJunky That may be true for 4K MKVs, but I said I converted them to MP4s, and streaming locally and looking at the Plex console I see 10-27mbps total bandwidth, so it should be do-able remotely on a 40mbps connection. But the question still remains: I’m not seeing 4K mentioned anywhere in the quality drop-down.

[TeknoJunky]

mp4 is a container. mkv is a container.

if you are ripping to mkv then compressing them further via handbrake or whatever, then yeah whatever bitrate you encode them to you will need for bandwidth.

My comments were in reference to non-re-compressed 4k bluray rips.

Just set it to maximum and try it.
You may also want to try disabling auto adjust to see if that makes any difference (it can cause transcoding due to variable bandwidth).

[anon18523487]

Yes, the Maximum setting will allow playback of 4K video. We do not have a setting to transcode 4K to a lower 4K quality. So right now, it is either 1) direct play or 2) transcode 4K to 4K at the same bitrate or 3) transcode to one of the available settings shown.

[emripoohie]

Setting up your web quality to Max (see below)

And setting your remote access quality to Original (see below)

Should essentially allow your remote user to playback your 4k files at their original quality.

Again this is assuming the remote user has the 4k capabilities (which we’ve talked about earlier in this thread).

[OttoKerner]

You cannot use the web client to direct play HEVC encoded video.
You’ll need to use Plex media player for that.

Plex Downloads

[jasondunn]

Thanks! So, I’m curious, if a remote client (say a Fire TV stick connected to a 1080p TV) initiates a connection, will the client negotiate a 1080p stream and kick off transcoding?

[TeknoJunky]

yes, exactly.

non-4k clients will always transcode when trying to stream 4k.
clients which can’t direct play HD audio can cause transcoding.
bandwidth limits can cause transcoding.

[jasondunn]

Excellent responses, thanks everyone. This community is one of the best things about using Plex!