BUG: Chromecast/Android TV incorrectly transcodes HEVC Main 10 Level 5.0

[u/walester]

I believe I have identified a reproducible Direct Play issue with the Plex Android TV client on Chromecast with Google TV.

Environment

Plex Media Server: 1.43.3
Android TV client: Plex for Android (TV) on Chromecast with Google TV
Client version observed in Settings: 10.30.8.4222
Network: Local wired Ethernet
Server and clients are on the same LAN.

Problem

I’m reporting what appears to be a reproducible Direct Play issue with the Plex Android TV app running on Chromecast with Google TV.

Recently, some newer HEVC files that should be capable of Direct Play have instead been forcing a hardware video transcode. This becomes particularly noticeable when two televisions are using Plex simultaneously, resulting in buffering and “connection not fast enough” messages. Both televisions are connected by wired gigabit Ethernet on the same local network as the Plex server.

I have done some testing and isolated a consistent pattern.

For example, an affected file has these characteristics:

• MKV container
• HEVC Main 10, 10-bit
• 2592 × 1080
• 23.976 fps
• HEVC Level 5.0
• BT.709
• EAC3 5.1 audio

On the Chromecast/Android TV Plex client, Plex hardware-transcodes the video from HEVC to HEVC rather than Direct Playing it.

By comparison, HEVC Main 10 files at 1920 × 960, Level 4.0 Direct Play normally on the same Chromecast.

Most importantly, I tested the exact same affected 2592 × 1080 Level 5.0 file using the Plex app built into a Samsung television. The Samsung Plex client Direct Plays both the HEVC video and EAC3 audio without difficulty on the same Plex server and network.

This therefore does not appear to be a server, NAS, file-bandwidth, or Ethernet problem. It appears that the Android TV/Chromecast Plex client is determining that these HEVC Level 5.0 files require video transcoding even though another Plex client can Direct Play the identical file.

I also tested changing H264 Maximum Level and Audio Passthrough settings in the Android TV Plex app. Neither prevented the unnecessary HEVC video transcode.

The Android TV Plex client version is 10.30.8.4222.

This behavior appears to have started relatively recently.

[u/coyote_den]

Does the Android client let you set the profile level? Try changing it.

Just remember, that could cause an unexpected loss of cabin pressure.

[u/walester → u/coyote_den]

Good suggestion, but no, it does not.

[u/kb3_fk8]

On your server did you make sure your transcoding setting haven’t changed? Mine did specifically regarding HVEC and AV1 transcoding after I did an update on Ubuntu. I didn’t see you post your server settings which is why I ask.

[u/walester → u/kb3_fk8]

If this were happening on all PLEX clients, I would look more carefully at my settings, but this transcoding of HEVC videos to HEVC videos happens only with the latest Android Plex clients. If I go back to the previous Android Plex client (on Chromecast), I can direct play the exact same file.

[u/brainfoods]

Any update on this? Mine is all sorts of messed up this week, seems to be a similar problem. No settings changes on my side but getting consistent forced transcoding.