Is there any info when HEVC will finally be supported on plex players? I would really like to stream my HEVC content locally (without the need for lower bandwidth, so theoretically no transcoding required), I tested on Plex Media Player, Plex App from the Windows Store, Raspberry Pi with Plex OS (or whatever) and in the Browser (Firefox), on every platform the CPU of my server goes to 100% and movie stops all 20 sec to load for a minute or two.
BUT if I access my files directly via the network (samba share) and play it with VLC it works perfectly. So there is obviously no limitation on the hardware side but within the Plex software.
The Plex app from the Windows Store has not been updated in well over a year. If it does not currently support HEVC, then don’t hold your breath waiting on an update.
Plex Media Player (Win10) direct plays HEVC w/o issue for me, including 4K HDR10 videos, which are not supported by my system (4790K CPU, 750Ti video card).
I haven’t used the Windows Store Plex app in a while, but I believe it direct-plays HEVC if you have a recent processor (such as a 7th-gen Intel or later) and you install the HEVC extension in the Windows Store.
This is my Laptop and I plugged it only for testing, normally I watch via my Raspberry Pi (works fine on all h264 videos), but if you can recommend a “$100 box” which can play everything without transcoding, I will definitely replace my Raspberry.
You mentioned a Fire TV (Stick ?), this should be the cheapest solution as it is around $40, isn´t it? What would you recommend @spikemixture
The fire TV 4k is good but i would buy the addon to hardwire . I believe wifi is not the best for streaming .
But my personal choice is the Shield - (and there should be a new one soon) but are $170 ish.
I use two Roku Premiere boxes on my media network. They are connected by WiFi. I have ripped all my DVD’s & Blu Rays to HEVC with either AC3 or DTS sound using Handbrake. They play all content without the Plex Server having to transcode. However Roku’s only support Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS and DTS 96/24 in 5.1 max. Plex I find transcodes any other sound format to DD.
Also I set my parents media network with 2 Roku Express + sticks and they work without transcoding also. And wirelessly as well.
Only the Roku Express +, Roku 4, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra are HEVC compatible as far as I’m aware as they are 4K UHD ready.
PMP can direct play HEVC. If it doesn’t for you, there must be a setting which forces transcoding.
e.g. bitrate limitations or disabled direct play/ direct stream
Check your PMP settings. Note that for some settings you must be in TV mode (go into TV mode, then click on your user icon/avatar, then choose settings).
My PC has an i7-4790K CPU, GTX 750Ti video card, and a 1080p, non-HDR display (an old Vizio TV). PMP still direct plays 4K HDR movies.
Thank you all for your recommendations! I`ll have to ckeck my settings again, it might be the bitrate limitation, as I am pretty sure I enabled direct play and direct stream everywhere.
