Pi4 - Plex Media Server - Buffering issues on 4K

jrwagh333 · 23 May 2020 at 16:34

So I am trying to setup a Plex Media Server to stream a single 4K stream to an Xbox One S

I originally was using Raspbian but I was having issues with one movie that I had that would bigger ever few minutes or so.

I discoverd that the H.265 hardware decoder in the Pi won't work unless using Libreelec.

I have now moved over to this and I am having the exact same issue.

I have a number of 4K, HDR10 files that stream Direct Play to the Xbox with no issue at all.
The file I am having issue with is also showing as Direct Play being true. This is why I am stumped. CPU usage doesn't go over 30% on the Pi and other HDR10 content plays without issue.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

jrwagh333 · 24 May 2020 at 14:01

Thanks for the help Pulse - But unfortunately I have already tried this.

jrwagh333 · 24 May 2020 at 14:14

Marky said:
I haven’t used the Xbox Plex app before, but in the settings of the app, is there a setting called something like Audio Passthrough. Try enabling or selecting HDMI for it.

Ok thanks will take a look

jrwagh333 · 29 May 2020 at 17:00

Moved over to Jellyfin and not added any 4K media that is over 25mbps and everything is OK so far.

Not sure why it wouldn't be able to handle 40mbps 4K direct play? Using an external HDD on the USB3 connection. Happens with both ethernet and wifi

jrwagh333 · 2 Jun 2020 at 16:00

They are mostly MP4

Another question I have is I was experiencing some stutter with low bitrate 1080p stuff on Jellyfin.

I'm thinking it may be the swap file being full? How would I check something like this?

jrwagh333 · 19 Jun 2020 at 20:36

On latest firmware using an external 3.5" HDD

jrwagh333 · 20 Jun 2020 at 17:34

I did a speed test for the USB and that's looking fine.

jrwagh333 · 26 Jun 2020 at 17:27

So I think Jellyfin is just too buggy and I'm going to go back to Plex. I just tried to play a 4K h.265 file and it won't even load.

jrwagh333 · 27 Jun 2020 at 12:15

@Avalon - You're right.
I'm going to take the time to compare a movie that doesn't work and one that does.

I'll use Handbrake to convert to the same codecs that is used by the working movie and see if that makes a difference.

jrwagh333 · 28 Jun 2020 at 18:22

So far I have worked out the 4K does not play nice at all with Jellyfin

Plex direct plays 4K HEVC on Xbox One from Pi.
HDR file is a no go though, but I don't have a HDR TV so that's fine.

jrwagh333 · 28 Jun 2020 at 20:22

Xbox is the main one to use as there is one in the living room and one in the bedroom so that's what I'll be using to stream to as I don't want to drop any more cash.

The same 4K HEVC plays nice with my Pixel 3 in the Plex App