4k playback keeps "loading" every couple of minues

[macor64 0]

i've been testing emby for playback of 4k/UHD files. when I play and 4k movie, it stops playback and i get a "loading" every couple of minutes. from the server management gui I see the following:

 

The media is compatible with the device regarding resolution and media type (H.264, AC3, etc.), but is in an incompatible file container (.mkv, .avi, .wmv, etc.). The video will be re-packaged on the fly before streaming it to the device.

 

Is MKV really an incompatible container in emby? This would really be bad for me because most of my 4k media is in an MKV format that I can stream directly to the TV with another media server software.

 

any suggestions that don't require conversion to another file container?

 

 

Thanks

[speechles 1975]

Can you try with the Emby Beta of the Roku app? This is our current development version. If this works we have this already corrected. If this does not we have work to do. Please let us know which it is. Thanks.

[macor64 0]

"Can you try with the Emby Beta of the Roku app? This is our current development version. If this works we have this already corrected. If this does not we have work to do. Please let us know which it is."

 

I tried the beta roku app and, sadly it did not correct the issue. in fact, where I would actually see some of the movie playing before it would pause, I now only see the splash screen, although I hear the audio, while the screen says "retrieving"

 

Sorry the results aren't better for me.

[Luke 38801]

Hi there, can we please look at an example? Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. thanks !

[macor64 0]

I can, but i realized that I was using the 4.3.0.15 beta code. I'm going to load 4.2.1.0 and retest. I will report results.

 

Thanks

[ebr 15425]

Hi.  Are you sure your system can handle the bitrate of the item you are trying to play?

 

This sounds like something is just unable to keep up.  The details requested will confirm or refute that.

 

Thanks.

[macor64 0]

I tested 4k playback on emby server 4.2.1.0, which is running on an ubuntu server 18.04.3 LTS. virtual machine in a proxmox 6.0.9 VE environment:

 

8 x AMD FX-8320 EIght-Core Processor (1 Socket)

Linux 5.0.15-1-pve #1 SMP PVE 5.0.15-1(Wed, 03 Jul 2019 10:51:57 +0200)

pve-manager/6.0.9/508dcee0

 

The VM is configured 8 cores and 14GB of RAM and is connected to a gigabit network. the roku that is connected to the 4k TV is directly connected to the home gigabit network.

 

Playback of "The Dark Knight" exited after about 1:43 both times I tried the test (I tested with the beta roku app as well)

 

I have also tested with a non-vm environment and saw the same results. the other environment is a single ubuntu server 18.04.3 LTS running on a dell R710 with 48GB of memory.

 

Attached is the only log i can see on the emby server that has a time stamp around the time the testing was conducted.

embyserver_10.20.2019_08.32.am.txt

 

I will say that the VM environment has another ubuntu server 18.04.3 LTS vm configured identically but running plex and it does not experience the same 4k playback issue as emby.

 

There is only ever one user active at one time, so no chance of plex and emby both running at the same time, unless I purposely do it.

 

If you require any more information, please let me know.

 

I really want emby to work for me and have been testing, loading and reloading  for a while now. my stubborn self will not give up!

 

Thank you

[ebr 15425]

Hi. Can you please provide the media info from the bottom of the web app detail page for this item?  You are statically streaming it and I suspect the bitrate is just too high for the Roku.

[macor64 0]

Original Media Info

Container:

mkv

Bitrate:

54.8 Mbps

Video codec:

HEVC Main 10

Video bitrate:

54.8 Mbps

Video framerate:

23.9760246 fps

Audio codec:

DTS DTS-HD MA

Audio channels:

6

Audio sample rate:

48000 Hz

Audio bit depth:

24

[Luke 38801]

Have you tried lowering the in app quality setting on the Roku? Usually this type of thing just means the bitrate is too high for the connection.

[macor64 0]

Lowering the bitrate on 4k does not appear to make much difference as far as playback stability.

 

I can play a 4K movie at 1080p just fine. It may be that the combination of roku and the emby app in my environment just won't yield what I want, as far as 4k playback, and perhaps a future release of emby will perform better (4k playback)  for me. Emby IS really good and smoother for straight 1080p playback than Plex.

 

Thanks

[speechles 1975]

The only issue really is the DTS-HD MA isn't supported. If you lack DTS on the device the HDMI cable from your Roku is connected through this incurs a transcoding penalty for the audio.

 

Are you using GigaBit routers? The reason I ask is if you have the media on a separate storage device than Emby runs on. This means data must travel from the storage device to Emby then from Emby to your Roku. At 54.8Mbit that equates to 109.6Mbit. 109.6 > normal ethernet 100mbit. This might be what is causing your issue. The router is being bottlenecked. It doesn't matter that the devices do not support GigaBit. The routing table must and then your throughput increases. This might be all this is.

Edited October 22, 2019 by speechles

[macor64 0]

I have a gigabit configuration throughout my home network. Emby media is nfs mounted from a nas on my home network. Both emby and the NAS are connected to the same physical network switch. The roku is also hard wired into the gigabit network. As far as what is supported, I still refer back to earlier in this thread about this message:  The media is compatible with the device regarding resolution and media type (H.264, AC3, etc.), but is in an incompatible file container (.mkv, .avi, .wmv, etc.). The video will be re-packaged on the fly before streaming it to the device.

 

 

Most of my media is in an MKV file container.

 

Thank you.

[speechles 1975]

It must be encountering an error while playing that MKV. That would make sense it then says it is in an imcompatible container when MKV is supported on Roku. It must be falling back into playback recovery. Something about that MKV it doesn't like. What does it say on stats for nerds in the Roku app when playing that item? This might be the 'ol 4GB bug making a reappearance on some models. Roku had an issue before with files over 4GB and their direct play would fail on them. This might be a regression in their firmware back to this old bug.

Edited October 22, 2019 by speechles

[ebr 15425]

55Mb/s is just too high for either the Roku or the network connection (remember the Roku device is a potential limiting factor here too).

 

You have to remember, these devices are designed to play streaming media...

[ajeffco 0]

You have to remember, these devices are designed to play streaming media...

 

Isn't that what emby is doing, streaming media to the roku?  I'm looking to get a 4k TV soon and have started buying 4k discs, so I'm interested in how this works out. 

[macor64 0]

I have 4k media that I can direct stream through the same roku (4k model) at over 60Mb/s easily over a wired network, using my other media player software. Of course, if I try to fire up more than one 4k stream, then I can see why I would have performance issues, but I only have one 4k TV so that is not an issue, or need, at the moment.

[ebr 15425]

Isn't that what emby is doing, streaming media to the roku?  I'm looking to get a 4k TV soon and have started buying 4k discs, so I'm interested in how this works out. 

 

I should have been more specific - remote streaming from services like Netflix, Hulu, etc.  Those guys don't provide streams over about 20Mb/s.

[ebr 15425]

I have 4k media that I can direct stream through the same roku (4k model) at over 60Mb/s easily over a wired network, using my other media player software. Of course, if I try to fire up more than one 4k stream, then I can see why I would have performance issues, but I only have one 4k TV so that is not an issue, or need, at the moment.

 

If you have the debug option enabled in the app, try turning that off.  Probably won't make a difference, but worth a shot.

[e27 7]

I had the same issues but I changed to 5.1 surround sound and turned off all subtitles, and it works flawlessly with no transcoding @ 4K 120Mbits.  I am a little confused as to why the forced subtitle prevents it from playing correctly though? Hope this helps.

Edited October 24, 2019 by e27

[Luke 38801]

@@e27 can we please look at an example? Most likely the subtitles are in a format not supported by Roku and this requires transcoding.

[Luke 38801]

Isn't that what emby is doing, streaming media to the roku? I'm looking to get a 4k TV soon and have started buying 4k discs, so I'm interested in how this works out.

 

Yes, but streaming media from something like Netflix will be at a much lower bitrate. That's what this device is primarily designed for.

[drinkin_park 0]

I have the same problem with this movie:

The.Matrix.1999.UHD.BluRay.2160p.TrueHD.Atmos.7.1.HEVC.REMUX

Mediainfo from Emby:

4K HEVC HDR10
Кодек: HEVC
Профил: Main 10
Level: 153
Резолюция: 3840x2160
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Interlaced: No
Framerate: 23,976
Bitrate: 55 079 kbps
Video Range: HDR10
Color Primaries: bt2020
Color Space: bt2020nc
Color Transfer: smpte2084
Bit Depth: 10 bit
Формат На Пикселa: yuv420p10le
Reference: Frames

Audio is 7.1 but there is Steroe audio track too, so I select it and then I can direct stream movie, but it is still unplayable.

I am able to play other 4K movies.

Звук
Title: English AC3 stereo
Embedded Title: Music-only Track/Commentary by Don Davis
Език: English
Кодек: AC3
Layout: stereo
Channels: 2 ch
Bitrate: 192 kbps
Sample Rate: 48 000 Hz
По подразбиране: No

ffmpeg-remux-ab7a1493-f638-4a35-920c-d3607e6a8efc_1.txt

Edited September 1, 2021 by drinkin_park

[Luke 38801]

9 hours ago, drinkin_park said:

I have the same problem with this movie:

The.Matrix.1999.UHD.BluRay.2160p.TrueHD.Atmos.7.1.HEVC.REMUX

Mediainfo from Emby:

4K HEVC HDR10
Кодек: HEVC
Профил: Main 10
Level: 153
Резолюция: 3840x2160
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Interlaced: No
Framerate: 23,976
Bitrate: 55 079 kbps
Video Range: HDR10
Color Primaries: bt2020
Color Space: bt2020nc
Color Transfer: smpte2084
Bit Depth: 10 bit
Формат На Пикселa: yuv420p10le
Reference: Frames

Audio is 7.1 but there is Steroe audio track too, so I select it and then I can direct stream movie, but it is still unplayable.

I am able to play other 4K movies.

Звук
Title: English AC3 stereo
Embedded Title: Music-only Track/Commentary by Don Davis
Език: English
Кодек: AC3
Layout: stereo
Channels: 2 ch
Bitrate: 192 kbps
Sample Rate: 48 000 Hz
По подразбиране: No

ffmpeg-remux-ab7a1493-f638-4a35-920c-d3607e6a8efc_1.txt 54.88 kB · 1 download

@drinkin_park

[drinkin_park 0]

On 9/1/2021 at 6:18 PM, Luke said:

@drinkin_park

Sorry for the late reply

i am transcoding only audio. 
So there is no one at to watch it flawlessly?

Edited September 9, 2021 by drinkin_park