[BUG] Audio Loss during Direct Play to HomePod (Apple TV + Plex)

anatolychesneyshy
Fri, 25 Apr 2025 21:56:26 +0000
Plex Players

Server Version#: 1.41.6.9685
Player Version#: Latest Apple TV app

Device: Apple TV 4K (tvOS 17.4)
Audio Output: HomePod stereo pair via AirPlay 2
Source: Plex Server (Synology DS723+, DSM 7.2.2-72806 Update 3)
File Types: .mkv files with H.265 video and AC3 5.1 audio (640 kbps)
Plex Server Version: 1.41.6.9685 (manually installed, modified .spk package)
Plex Client Version: Latest Apple TV app (App Store)

Problem Description

When streaming media via Direct Play on Plex Client for Apple TV, with audio output to a HomePod stereo pair via AirPlay 2:

Playback starts normally

Audio drops after approximately 1–2 minutes while video continues playing

Happens consistently across different TVs and different HomePod pairs

What Was Verified

The issue does not occur when:

Playing the same file using Infuse Pro on Apple TV (5.1 audio plays flawlessly to HomePods)

Streaming the file via Plex Web Client or Plex app on PC

Switching audio output to built-in TV speakers or AirPods

The file:

Contains only one video track (H.265/HEVC)

Contains only one audio track (AC3 5.1 @ 640kbps)

Container: MKV (muxed via ffmpeg)

Plex Dashboard confirms Direct Play for both video and audio

Conclusion

The issue seems to be specifically related to Plex Client on Apple TV when:

Performing Direct Play of an MKV file

Outputting 5.1 AC3 audio over AirPlay 2 to a HomePod stereo pair

It is highly likely that Plex is handling the audio stream in a way that causes the HomePod or AirPlay session to desynchronize or terminate the audio channel, while video continues.

Request

Could you please:

Confirm if this scenario is known?

Indicate whether a fix is planned in future Plex Client releases?

Suggest any temporary workarounds without switching to alternative players like Infuse?

Thank you!

35 posts - 31 participants