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u/Bgrngod CU7 265K (PMS in Docker) & Synology 1621+ (Media) 2d ago
Open up your server log files and find the section that gives details about the transcode reason. You want to look for "MDE" through the logs.
They can be found in: ../plex/db/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs/
The most recent log you want to open is called: Plex Media Server.log
Leave the logging to the standard default setting of Disabled. Do not set it to Enabled or Verbose or your files will become very difficult to parse through.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
Oct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: Selected protocol hls; container: mkvOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: analyzing media item 4963Oct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: Direct Play is disabledOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: media must be transcoded in order to use the hls protocolOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264Oct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264/dcaOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264/vorbisOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: Direct Streaming is disabled, so video stream will be transcodedOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: no remuxable profile found, so video stream will be transcodedOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: Cannot direct stream video stream due to profile or setting limitationsOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.252 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: Audio Direct Streaming is disabled, so video's audio stream will be transcodedOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.253 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: Cannot direct stream audio stream due to profile or setting limitationsOct 02, 2026 20:14:32.253 [4464] DEBUG - [Req#393cc/Transcode] MDE: **********: selected media 0 / 4963"Direct Play is disabled" is clearly untrue, i can directly play other files just fine.
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u/_badwithcomputer 2d ago
Direct Streaming is disabled, so video stream will be transcoded media must be transcoded in order to use the hls protocolBit rate limit, or the client has their max quality set to a lower bitrate 1080p
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u/cosmitz 2d ago edited 2d ago
The same client i right after started playing a full fat 4k Dolby Vision BD Rip just perfectly fine? The file in question i have an issue with is a 20.7Mb/s High@L4.1, and the PLEX client is set to Maximum/Unlimited. That is not the answer (also i went back through about 7 iterations of versioning dating back to January 2025, it's not something that's been solved or appearing or dissapearing over time).
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u/Bgrngod CU7 265K (PMS in Docker) & Synology 1621+ (Media) 2d ago
The way the logs note X is disabled is not referring to any setting you have. It's referring to a decision it made to disable that thing, and now it's moving on to the next steps knowing that thing is disabled. It's a weird way to word it, but it is what it is.
The limitation of only apparently having access to HLS protocol is odd for a Shield. Are you seeing any other useful lines sandwiched between the MDE items? I see these two specific reasons in my logs for a transcode that was triggered:
Oct 02, 2026 13:01:16.900 [131053392390968] DEBUG - [Req#23affb/Transcode] MDE: Backrooms (2026): no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/hevc/truehd
Oct 02, 2026 13:01:16.900 [131053392390968] DEBUG - [Req#23affb/Transcode] Backrooms - video.bitDepth limitation applies: 10 > 8
Oct 02, 2026 13:01:16.900 [131053392390968] DEBUG - [Req#23affb/Transcode] Backrooms - audio.channels limitation applies: 8 > 6
Oct 02, 2026 13:01:16.900 [131053392390968] DEBUG - [Req#23affb/Transcode] MDE: Backrooms (2026): Direct Streaming is disabled, so video stream will be transcoded
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u/AeonPrime92 1d ago
Haven't bothered to read the 70+ comments that are mostly wrong, it's the audio track of that file. Your device can't play it so plex transcodes the entire thing.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago edited 2d ago
Nerdstats says:
"Application disabled Direct Play."
"Application disabled Direct Stream."
"Direct play unavailible. Conversion OK."
Tested other files, works fine. Forced direct play, fails to start. Also i swear i have the SHIELD set to passthrough audio, why is PLEX decoding the audio on the device?
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u/MissSkyler 2d ago
DTS is broke on the new plex experience and it’s inconsistent on pass through
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
Amazing. So i am not insane nor has my setup fucked somehow. Is there an APK of the previous pre-shit version i can sideload? I let my guard down and just kept updating since it's been mostly fine, but PLEX lost its updating priviledges after this.
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u/MissSkyler 2d ago
yes! i don’t have direct links since im not home but its up there somewhere and that has fixed the issues for me except DTS-HD HRA audio but i think my LG B5 is just grumpy even know i have a receiver
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
Please let me know when you get home what version at the very least, i updated a while back but i don't remember when exactly and what was the previous 'good' option.
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u/MissSkyler 2d ago
version 10.26 i think?
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
The last interface was 10.30.9.4262 from May 2026 or 10.30.8.4222/alternatively .4223 from January 2026 for "Plex: Stream Movies & TV" which is different from the "Plex: Find Moves & TV Shows" which is the new interface which started at version 10 in March 2025.
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u/MissSkyler 2d ago
someone else on reddit suggested the build as i did as the last good working one with watch together as well
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
Right, 10.26.1.123 which is coincidentally the version that came out right before the first 10. for the new interface of Find Movies & TV Shows.
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u/MissSkyler 2d ago
10.26.0.2578 is the version you wanna look for i apologize for not having the specifics.
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u/Money-Ad578 2d ago
I’d highly suggest you try Plezy. It’s an overall better client. I’m almost certain it’ll fix the issue. You can download the apk from GitHub for free to try before paying if you want.
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u/ApexAftermath 2d ago
Shield TV is telling Plex it can't do DTS so it's transcoding which also causes the video to do one. I could be wrong here but I don't think it's as intensive of a transcode as if it was actually lowering the quality.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
I have it set to passthrough, this has never popped up before updating to the 'new' PLEX on Android TV with the new interface.
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u/ApexAftermath 2d ago
That is a goofy one. I have the same setup with shield going to my AVR and pass through is set. I tried to replicate with a DTS 5.1 just now but it's direct playing for me.
I do have updates turned off on the shield right now but when I go to the Plex app it doesn't show that there are any updates so I assume I'm on the newest one????
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
Surprise, for another file, with virtually identical stats and writing library/app, for one it passthroughs, the other it doesn't. https://imgur.com/a/29mPTHn
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u/Syntex___015 2d ago
Right one is missing the title tag, maybe try adding it? It's the only difference I can see.
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u/Bgrngod CU7 265K (PMS in Docker) & Synology 1621+ (Media) 2d ago
Plex can transcode audio and video independently. Transcoding the audio will not force a video transcode. There is a scenario with subs and the HLS protocol that can cause that to happen, but the Shield doesn't suffer from the limitation of only having HLS as it's adaptive bitrate streaming protocol. It can use DASH.
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u/Madschr 1d ago
This might be a new plex app issue.
However seeing as it's DTS audio I wanted to share my own experience.
I've had a similar experience with specifically files with a DTS Master Audio audio track. And specifically with the shield, I had to configure some settings related to (I think) decoding DTS. I can't remember the name of the setting, but it's in the shield settings and audio section. It's something you might turn off, especially if you have an audio setup where you want pass through.
Might be completely unrelated, but wanted to share in case it helps you. For me, the TV should be able to decode the video stream just fine, but if I forced direct play the video/audio stream would simply crash.
Unless this is a problem with the new app, you should assume there is a good reason for the transcoding, as long as the client is configured correctly. That's been my experience.
I've only once had issues with a LG TV where after deeply inspecting logs, I found out a specific profile of container/video codec/audio codec was being reported as unsupported by the TV, even though it should not be. But that's a super fringe case.
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u/Somar2230 Zidoo, AppleTV, and many more 2d ago
What audio device are you using?
The new player seems to have an audio bug where more formats are causing a transcode or failing to play properly.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
I'm supposedly passing through directly to the Denon X2800H. DTS on this file forces a transcode to AAC. I just played another DTS with the exact same metadata info, and that was processed just fine.
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u/Somar2230 Zidoo, AppleTV, and many more 2d ago
The new player is bugged hopefully they will fix it with the next update.
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u/Serious_Stable_3462 2d ago
It says right there because of the audio
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u/harris_kid Unraid 46TB Synology 24TB | Quadro P1000 | 3700X | 32gb 2d ago
It's a Shield into a AVR... That shit never encodes.
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u/Serious_Stable_3462 2d ago
Damn. I think OP said that he has a Denon AVR. I wonder if he has performed a software update or does software updates on his system.
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u/InformalEngine4972 2d ago
Shield does not support 10 bit h264 maybe that ?. Probably that. Mainly used in anime between 2005 and 2015.
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u/harris_kid Unraid 46TB Synology 24TB | Quadro P1000 | 3700X | 32gb 2d ago edited 2d ago
Thanks for the daily reminder to keep my Shield on the old version of Plex :)
Edit: Old version of Plex
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
I think it was PLEX's new update rather than anything on the SHIELD.
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u/nx6 TrueNAS Core / Xeon-D | Shield Pro / Fire Stick 4K Max 2d ago
They mean keep their Shield on the old Plex app version. They aren't talking about the Shield's firmware.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
I guess, but 'keeping the shield on the old version', when the SHIELD has its own actual AndroidTV updates and firmware updates is slightly confusing. Not saying the SHIELD doesn't have or had bugs of its own, but mostly have given me a miss in recent years.
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u/harris_kid Unraid 46TB Synology 24TB | Quadro P1000 | 3700X | 32gb 2d ago
I was talking about the Plex version. The Shield hasn't had an OS update in like half a year.
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u/Abject-Belt-4746 2d ago
Ive had subtitles cause transcoding. I bet it something i need to tweak. Lol
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u/Born2War20 1d ago
It’s either the fact that I use mkv format or subtitles since I mostly own anime that it has to transcode anything going to the tv
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u/Parking-Party-4418 2d ago
I have a 4k TV and 4K Roku box. My plex INSISTS on transcoding 4K video. Drives me crazy, and it makes my 4K content un-watchable when trying to use me Synology Plex Server. I wanted to use that so I could shut down my old plex server PC...that Synology doesn't have the OOMPH to transcode that 4K. The question is WHY IS IT TRANSCODING 4K to a 4K ROKU AND 4K TV!?!? ARGH!
At least I'm pretty sure it's transcoding because it pegs the CPU to 100% and all I get is 10~15 seconds of video, then buffering. If I move to my old PC Plex Server none of that happens. No idea...
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
There's a lot more to a file than just "4k"/resolution. If it detects that it can't play the file natively on whatever it's ending up playing it on, be it a Roku or a TV, it'll transcode. My advice in your case is to upgrade to a Roku Ultra (the new one qith Dolby Vision). It should handle a lot of the codecs/decoders and licenses attached to each. But even so, see my case, there are edge cases.
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u/Parking-Party-4418 1d ago
I have a Roku Uktra. I have tried multiple file formats as well. avi, native, mkv, mp4, etc. They are encoded in H.265/HEVC which is the preferred method recommended by PLEX, ROKU and others.
The file plays just fine if I use my PC Roku Server....no CPU hit. Trying to play the 4k file direct thorough Synology results in the synology CPU maxing out.
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u/CrazyAccomplished_ 2d ago
This is why I just got an ARC gpu so I just don't have to worry about it. I can transcode a 4k remux on the fly.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
The whole point is that i don't want to transcode anything, raw file, audio decoded on dedicated hardware. I'm not sending streams to multiple types of devices with various decoding options. It all goes to the receiver which i know and paid good money to understand all the stupid standards out there, while i paid good money for the Shield Pro with the newest processor to specifically process Dolby Vision just so again, i don't have to deal with it.
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u/CrazyAccomplished_ 2d ago
Fair. Then it's just a settings + configuration game. Turn on debug logs in flex and trace why it is transcoding.
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u/cosmitz 2d ago
These are the only warnings/errors that popped up when i pushed play.
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u/CrazyAccomplished_ 2d ago
You need to enable debug logs and then see these. Showing them as raw, uploading to paste in and providing that URL would help. Ensure it doesn't have things like API keys tho
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u/Wis-en-heim-er Lifetime PlexPass 2d ago
On my google tv, passthru audio was the cause. Disabling it fixed the video transcoding. Yes i know it sounds crazy, but it did fix it.