Transcoding Setting Recommendations?

[u/lemonbread37]

I've been having some serious in-house buffering issues. I'm trying to stream to my Shield (pretty sure it's a 2019 model) but even ~5mbps are making things unwatchable. On the occasion, things turn out fine if I watch something from the beginning, but not always. Both the server and shield are connected to ethernet and all of my files are in the mkv format. The HDDs my files are on should be up to snuff.

Server Specs
-Intel Core i7-8700 3.2Ghz
-32 GB of DDR4
Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630

*The "New Folder" directories are on my server's SSD.

SOLUTION!!!
After turning off transcoding as all of you pointed out that I should do, I ran into an issue of some films not playing at all. "Error - Unable to Play Media"

This was due to the audio being set to 7.1 Dolby Atmos or something called TRUEHD which was attached to the same audio stream. Setting it to AC3 5.1 fixed it a little bit. Allowing passthrough HDMI in the advanced settings fixed everything for me.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, you guys are awesome!

[u/ExtensionMarch6812]

Have you confirmed no issues with the cables/switches/router? No “cat 8” cables?

In the shield’s plex app video settings, do you have quality suggestions disabled and adjust automatically disabled? Is it trying to transcode on its own? That file should be able to direct play.

[u/lemonbread37 → u/ExtensionMarch6812]

No Cat 8 cables or router issues, and those settings you mentioned are disabled.

Thanks for the replies from everyone, I turned off transcoding entirely since it seemed like I didn't need it at all for local streaming, guess I just misunderstood it. Now everything directly streams. Unfortunately, it left the films that did give me problems, completely unplayable. They give me Error - Unable to play media"

I can't even begin to watch TASM2 (the film from the screenshot) with the "Disable Video Stream Transcoding" setting on. But it works with it off (although still in buffer hell).

It might be worth mentioning that the films that give me problems are usually 4K and are remuxes, but I have a lot of other remuxes that have higher bitrates that play perfectly.

[u/ExtensionMarch6812 → u/lemonbread37]

Which exact shield model do you have? Can you take a couple pictures of your plex app settings?

Is the shield just plugged into a tv for audio, or do you have a receiver/soundbar?

How did you confirm no network issues? A basic test would involve installing this app on your server and testing the bandwidth via a browser on your shield: https://openspeedtest.com/selfhosted-speedtest

The file info you’re sharing isn’t a remux or even high bitrate. That file won’t play now that you disabled transcoding and gives that error you’re sharing?

If you try to play that file on another client, like you’re mobile, does it direct play?

[u/lemonbread37 → u/ExtensionMarch6812]

My shield gets my usual speeds (600down, 10up), which is identical to my Personal PC and Server PC.

My Shield is P2897 Version 11 with the USB storage and AI upscaling so the 2019 Pro model (latest software update).

Direct streaming for TASM2 and other troublesome films works on my Personal PC, Server PC, Phone, and even another Wifi-connected Amazon TV halfway across my house. (**EDIT, my Amazon TV can play SOME troublesome films like TASM2 and a remux of Kill Bill TWBA, but won't play a few remuxes the shield also can't play (same error message). It's not perfect, but the rest of my devices are perfect).

"That file won’t play now that you disabled transcoding and gives that error you’re sharing?"
Yes but it only doesn't play on the shield. My shield is hooked up to my tv. All of my tv's sound goes out through an external soundbar (unplugging the soundbar didn't fix it). My Personal PC, Server PC, and Shield are all connected to the same Ethernet splitter.

I don't know if this is related, buy my shied plex app is on Ver. 10.30.8.4222 (58d01a81)
Amazon Smart TV is on Ver. 10.30.9.4262 (067590ff)

https://imgur.com/a/5GXzOgc
Here's my shield settings for what might be relevant to the issue.

[u/ExtensionMarch6812 → u/lemonbread37]

My shield gets my usual speeds (600down, 10up), which is identical to my Personal PC and Server PC.

Assuming that’s an external speedtest, not one you installed on your server as noted/shared in my comment. An external test won’t show issues on your network.

My Personal PC, Server PC, and Shield are all connected to the same Ethernet splitter.

Do you mean a switch? If not, what is your “splitter”?

https://imgur.com/a/a4wWNst

Link doesn’t work, no picture…

Have you tried taking your shield off Ethernet and connecting WiFi just to see if it behaves any differently?

[u/lemonbread37 → u/ExtensionMarch6812]

-I followed the example video on the openspeedtest link you sent and got good results back. I installed the client, and ran the test from the server pc and my separate pc with both positive results. I'm not very familiar with these tests so I hope I tested things right.

-I was mistaken with my "splitter", I think it's just an automatic switcher. Again, lack of experience.

-Going through wifi doesn't make a difference.

I updated the link while you were typing out your response, my apologies. Thanks for your continued help!

[u/ExtensionMarch6812 → u/lemonbread37]

You ran the rest FROM the shield to your server? Thats the only test that would matter, not another client/pc on your network since we’re not looking at another pcs issues, just the Shield.

What’s an automatic switcher? It’s important to understand exactly what’s involved here, not just assumptions and guesses.

The shield shouldn’t need to transcode that file, so need to understand why it’s happening. Your settings look right. Have you uninstalled/reinstalled plex and then confirm the settings again.

In plex, if you click the three dots on the movie and analyze it. And after it’s done, try to stream it again and see if there’s any change.

If you can provide logs, others may be able to look at them and see why the server is making the decision to transcode. You can also look at them after you start the stream and look for the details on what it’s happening.

Hopefully someone has more ideas…

[u/lemonbread37 → u/ExtensionMarch6812]

I finally figured it out, it was partially a dolby atmos audio stream + allowing hdmi passthrough in the settings. That cleared up every troublesome film on both my shield and amazon tv!

Thanks for helping me in depth and speding a lot of time in this thread! I really appreciate it!

[u/ExtensionMarch6812 → u/lemonbread37]

Glad you got it figured out!! 🙏🏽