Plex Stuttering With HD

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

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I've just built a media server and installed plex. When playing back through Samsung TV app, the movie buffers every 30 seconds. I'm using powerline adapters for network distribution, and I have no issues streaming from Netflix and the like.

I'm new to Plex, so maybe I'm missing a setting somewhere?
 
Check the CPU of the plex server. I've had the same issue you described when streaming to a Chromecast because the server wasn't able to keep up.

If that seems ok, then try setting the local streaming quality of Plex lower and see if the same thing happens (settings, plex/web, player, local quality)
 
Cheers for the reply. I didn't realise Steam was downloading in the background and now that it's stopped it's fine. I didn't think that would be an issue, but there you go!

By the way, I assume if my files are in MP4 format then Plex doesn't have to encode on the fly, therefore my CPU isn't much of an issue?
 
Depends on what your TV can play really. As long as the TV can natively play MP4s then there would be no need to transcode as you say.

The speed of powerline adapters varies depending on the wires its going through, so the speed may just be on the cusp of what is acceptable for your films to stream smoothly. Might want to try a speed test through them using 2 computers or try another way of getting networking to your TV. If it has wireless built in, that might be a better option.
 
TheKnat said:
Depends on what your TV can play really. As long as the TV can natively play MP4s then there would be no need to transcode as you say.

The speed of powerline adapters varies depending on the wires its going through, so the speed may just be on the cusp of what is acceptable for your films to stream smoothly. Might want to try a speed test through them using 2 computers or try another way of getting networking to your TV. If it has wireless built in, that might be a better option.
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OK, thanks. I'll have a footer around with it.
 
I've got a very similar same setup as you.
I'm running Plex Media Server on an Ubuntu VM, running on ESXi on my N40L Microserver. I use TPLink powerline adapters, to a Sammy PS51E8000 TV.

I've streamed 1080p 3D movies to it with no stuttering (I initially had it connected via Wireless and it did stutter every 30 seconds or so), so I would suggest the kit can handle it, it may very well be down to the network bandwidth in between.

If you have a crossover cable, or a switch, get the 2 connected via that and try it again. If you get no issues then you'll know it's your powerline networking letting you down.
 
I had a similar stuttering issue with Plex Server on a Microserver dishing out films to a Samsung Smart TV. I had to turn off the DLNA option on the Plex Server to get rid of it. You seem to have it sussed but it's worth keeping in mind if it arises again.
 
I've got another slightly strange issue with Plex. I've got the PMS PC connected to my internet via wired connection and powerline adapters. Now, it all seems to work pretty well... however, on occasion I will be navigating through the menus and it'll sort of lose the plot. When it does this, the machine it's installed on will completely lose it's network connection for roughly 5 minutes. After this time everything goes back to normal without me having to reset or change anything.

It's happened when browsing with Samsung TV (the older model did this, but the newer models seem fine). It also did it with a remote internet connection, remote as in I was connecting to the server from my work PC and not the LAN.

Any ideas?
 
Slightly off topic post!

I have a small PC (an old dell) running xbmcbuntu at the minute, but it gets pretty warm & loud. Is plex less intensive on the client PC?
 
Plex is based on XBMC so I'd be inclined to say no. However Plex is also split into two parts - the media server and the client that displays the media. If you're just using the PC as a server then it could be less intensive than XBMC.
 
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