If I set my PMS to limit remote streams to “4Mbps (720p)” will it force lower resolution (720p or SD) transcodes for 1080p videos with average bitrates lower than 4Mbps? In other words, with this setting will 4Mbps 1080p videos direct play?
(Sorry if I’m posting this in the wrong place, this is my first time posting 
)
No.
They’ll transcode to 720p @ 4Mbps
If you want that item to Direct Play the only option Plex offers is one of it’s ‘1080p’ settings - and there’s nothing you can do at the server end to enforced that, so it’s ALL dependent on the Remote Quality setting in the Remote Client App and it’s settings - whatever they are.
If you want Direct Play at the Remote Client - you can’t do anything to make that happen from the server end. Limiting your stream at your end only serves to guarantee a transcode if all your material exceeds 720p @ 4Mbps.
Also, Plex figures in ‘Peaks’ when it’s determining bandwidth. For instance, if your 1080p video’s average bit rate is 3.5Mbps, but those action scenes peak at 15Mbps (easily done) Plex will transcode that 1080p video down to whatever it has to in order to get the video through the bandwidth available - and it’s scary how often that transcoder will kick in.
The only way to get Direct Play at the remote client is to keep turning up the Remote Quality Volume - until Direct Play happens. When that is - you’ll have to let us know.
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