High CPU usage during media playback

[vikefan 0]

Emby Server 4.7.14.0

AMD Ryzen R1600, 64GB memory, latest DSM 7.2.1 update

New install of Emby with minimal content.  Playback works but CPU usage jumps from 3% to around 90% during playback via Chrome (120.0.6099.130 64-bit) or Firefox (121.0 64-bit).  Issue remains the same with or without hardware transcoding enabled. 

ffmpeg-transcode-5894cec3-b5a3-4c90-9ac9-28d7bdc883c4_1.txt embyserver.txt

[GrimReaper 3302]

Post hardware detection log also, as for the session in your log, transcoding was done in software only with no HWA adapters listed, hence high CPU usage. 

Edit: Ryzen R1600 has no integrated graphics, so no HWA, what you're seeing is the best you can get with that setup. You should strive to either pre-encode/re-encode your media in a format that will DirectPlay to all/majority of the devices you use or use client app that wouldn't require that content to be transcoded. 

Edited December 28, 2023 by GrimReaper

[vikefan 0]

Thanks Grim!  I have tried this configuration on multiple Synology systems with consistent results that did not match similar services.  I did find the default Emby package for Synology was lacking in performance.  Implementing Emby via Portainer cured those issues.

In looking at similar posts in other community sections, high cpu usage is normally a client limitation or minor server configuration issue. 

After using Emby Theater to play the same file, a max cpu usage of 5% is reported.  Not expecting special support for specific web clients but maybe someone has found a solution or can identify the client-specific limitation.

 

[Luke 37090]

29 minutes ago, vikefan said:

 

After using Emby Theater to play the same file, a max cpu usage of 5% is reported.  Not expecting special support for specific web clients but maybe someone has found a solution or can identify the client-specific limitation.

 

The solution in that scenario, if the cpu usage is a problem for you, is to use Emby Theater. It can direct play the files without any server transcoding whereas the browser video player cannot.