[LG C9]Many different issues, transcoding, connection drops, no subs, garbled image, no Atmos etc.

[Ponyo 22]

Hi,

I just got my new C9 and was looking forward to using the Emby app but right from the get go it has many big issues.

 

I tested with two following two movies.

 

Ford v Ferrari

- TrueHD causes the image to be garbled. Only the left top looks OK, the rest of the screen is white. Problem goes away by selecting DTS-HD MA before starting the movie.

- TrueHD doesn't trigger Dolby Atmos

- Connection drops. This one is hard to reproduce but sometimes the connection drop and everything hangs and I need to stop playing the movie. I've connected the TV with the same network cable I have connected to my Shield TV which, as far as I have tested, does not have this problem.

Media Info
Video
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AudioTitleEnglish Dolby Digital 5.1
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AudioTitleEnglish Dolby Digital 5.1
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AudioTitleEnglish DTS-HD MA stereo
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AudioTitleSpanish Dolby Digital 5.1
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AudioTitleFrench Dolby Digital 5.1

LanguageFrench
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SubtitleTitleEnglish (Default Forced SUBRIP)
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SubtitleTitleEnglish (SUBRIP)
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SubtitleTitleEnglish (PGSSUB)
LanguageEnglish

CodecPGSSUB
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SubtitleTitleSpanish (PGSSUB)
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SubtitleTitleSpanish (PGSSUB)
LanguageSpanish
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
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ExternalNo

SubtitleTitleFrench (PGSSUB)
LanguageFrench
CodecPGSSUB
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ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleFrench (PGSSUB)
LanguageFrench
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleChinese (PGSSUB)
LanguageChinese
CodecPGSSUB

DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleKorean (PGSSUB)
LanguageKorean
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
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SubtitleTitleChinese (PGSSUB)
LanguageChinese
CodecPGSSUB

DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleEnglish (PGSSUB)
LanguageEnglish
CodecPGSSUB
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ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleEnglish (PGSSUB)

LanguageEnglish
CodecPGSSUB
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CodecMJPEG
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Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1
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ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
Level-99
Resolution213x120
Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1
DefaultNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
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Resolution600x882
Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1
DefaultNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
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Resolution1067x600
Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p

Reference Frames1

DefaultNo

Knives Out

- No subtitles

- TrueHD triggers container transcoding on the dashboard

- TrueHD doesn't trigger Dolby Atmos

- Same connection drops

Media Info
VideoTitle4K HEVC
CodecHEVC
ProfileMain 10
Level153
Resolution3840x2160
Aspect Ratio16:9
AnamorphicNo
InterlacedNo
Framerate23.976
Bitrate64,354 kbps
Video RangeHDR
Color Primariesbt2020
Color Spacebt2020nc
Color Transfersmpte2084
Bit Depth10 bit
Pixel Formatyuv420p10le
Reference Frames1
AudioTitleEnglish TRUEHD 7.1 (Default)
LanguageEnglish
CodecTRUEHD
Layout7.1
Channels8 ch
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
Bit Depth24 bit
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AudioTitleEnglish DTS-HD MA 7.1
LanguageEnglish
CodecDTS
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Channels8 ch
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AudioTitleEnglish Dolby Digital 5.1
LanguageEnglish
CodecAC3
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Channels6 ch
Bitrate448 kbps
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
DefaultNo
AudioTitleEnglish Dolby Digital stereo
LanguageEnglish
CodecAC3
Layoutstereo
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Bitrate192 kbps
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
DefaultNo
AudioTitleFrench Dolby Digital 5.1
LanguageFrench
CodecAC3
Layout5.1
Channels6 ch
Bitrate640 kbps
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
DefaultNo
AudioTitleSpanish Dolby Digital 5.1
LanguageSpanish
CodecAC3
Layout5.1
Channels6 ch
Bitrate640 kbps
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
DefaultNo
Audio
TitleEnglish Dolby Digital stereo
LanguageEnglish
CodecAC3
Layoutstereo
Channels2 ch
Bitrate192 kbps
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
DefaultNo
AudioTitleEnglish Dolby Digital stereo
LanguageEnglish
CodecAC3
Layoutstereo
Channels2 ch
Bitrate192 kbps
Sample Rate48,000 Hz
DefaultNo
SubtitleTitleEnglish (Default SUBRIP)
LanguageEnglish
CodecSUBRIP
DefaultYes
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleEnglish (PGSSUB)
LanguageEnglish
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleEnglish (PGSSUB)

LanguageEnglish
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleFrench (PGSSUB)
LanguageFrench

CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleFrench (PGSSUB)
LanguageFrench
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
SubtitleTitleSpanish (PGSSUB)

LanguageSpanish
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo

SubtitleTitleSpanish (PGSSUB)
LanguageSpanish
CodecPGSSUB
DefaultNo
ForcedNo
ExternalNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
Level-99
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Framerate90,000

Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj420p
Reference Frames1
DefaultNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
Level-99
Resolution120x176
Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1
DefaultNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
Level-99
Resolution213x120
Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1
DefaultNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
Level-99
Resolution600x882
Framerate90,000
Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1
DefaultNo
ImageCodecMJPEG
ProfileBaseline
Level-99
Resolution1067x600
Framerate90,000

Color Spacebt470bg
Bit Depth8 bit
Pixel Formatyuvj444p
Reference Frames1

DefaultNo

On the Shield TV both movies do not have the same issues and work without problems. The network issue I'll try to reproduce on the Shield but one thing I did notice is that network usage with the LG app can be rather erratic while on the Shield it is nice and stable.

 

I've attached the logs.

 

embyserver.txt

ffmpeg-remux-8199e402-6f21-4121-a14c-c454d3388281_1.txt

[runtimesandbox 152]

I am experiencing some of the same issues as you. 

 

A few things I have noticed, switching the audio track to 5.1 Dolby fixes the garbled video.

 

Wifi is more stable than a wired connection. Emby would drop out a lot on a hardwired connection.

 

I also find the emby app freezes a fair amount and just shows a black screen. All other TV functionality works but to get emby to work again TV ether needs restarting or to wait 5+ minuets 

 

 

 

I was looking at getting a Shield to fix resolve these issues - out of curiosity any reason you aren't using it anymore?

Also have you experienced any issues with picture contrast as I have seen a few people report that issue with the SHIELD

[kikinjo 162]

Do you have issues with fast forward on LG app maybe ?

[SamES 890]

Hi, thanks for reporting your issues.

 

TrueHD is a common problem, you will find numerous discussions in this forum.  LG TV's cannot play or pass through TrueHD audio, including Atmos, from an App.  LG have not enabled this capability.

 

The result is that if a TrueHD audio track is selected, the server must remux the file to convert the audio track. If it is a 4K file, it is quite likely that this will not stream well and will cause the issues you are seeing.  1080 files will usually remux without problems.

 

The solution here is to select a different audio track if you have one available.

 

 

Wifi is more stable than a wired connection. Emby would drop out a lot on a hardwired connection.

 

This is also something that many users find to be true, so it's worth trying, but won't resolve the TrueHD issue.

[runtimesandbox 152]

Any reason that Emby is more stable on WiFi? (its pretty much unuseable on hard wired) 

 

Netflix et al all work fine on hard wired

[lorac 100]

Personally I've found the opposite to be true on my B7. 1080P is fine but 4K requires a network cable.

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

[Ponyo 22]

Hi, thanks for reporting your issues.

 

TrueHD is a common problem, you will find numerous discussions in this forum. LG TV's cannot play or pass through TrueHD audio, including Atmos, from an App. LG have not enabled this capability.

 

The result is that if a TrueHD audio track is selected, the server must remux the file to convert the audio track. If it is a 4K file, it is quite likely that this will not stream well and will cause the issues you are seeing. 1080 files will usually remux without problems.

 

The solution here is to select a different audio track if you have one available.

 

 

 

This is also something that many users find to be true, so it's worth trying, but won't resolve the TrueHD issue.

I don't think this is true. Are you working on this app? I have a demo file that shows Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos as enabled. Netflix also does Vison and Atmos.

 

Passthrough to EARC from internal apps is impossible but my understanding is that the apps itself support all formats as long as you play over the built in speakers.

 

The subtitle not showing is another problem and I also now noticed pgs is not supported and needs to be transcoded.

 

Edit: The test file from this link shows vision and atmos enabled when using the LG emby app.

 

https://developer.dolby.com/tools-media/sample-media/video-streams/dolby-vision-streams/

Edited May 4, 2020 by Ponyo

[Ponyo 22]

I was looking at getting a Shield to fix resolve these issues - out of curiosity any reason you aren't using it anymore?

Also have you experienced any issues with picture contrast as I have seen a few people report that issue with the SHIELD

 

I liked the idea of my tv being able to do everything, no need for changing inputs etc. I also have an older 2017 shield and that doesn't support Dolby vision, only HDR10. 

 

I'll check if using WiFi solves the issue, though my WiFi AP is rather crap. Thanks for the tip.

[SamES 890]

I don't think this is true. Are you working on this app? I have a demo file that shows Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos as enabled. Netflix also does Vison and Atmos.

 

Passthrough to EARC from internal apps is impossible but my understanding is that the apps itself support all formats as long as you play over the built in speakers.

 

The subtitle not showing is another problem and I also now noticed pgs is not supported and needs to be transcoded.

 

Edit: The test file from this link shows vision and atmos enabled when using the LG emby app.

 

https://developer.dolby.com/tools-media/sample-media/video-streams/dolby-vision-streams/

 

Is the demo TrueHD Atmos, or DD+ Atmos?  DD+ is lossy, and is what Netflix uses.  Emby will play this.  TrueHD Atmos is lossless and can't be played.

 

PGS subs are a graphical subtitle format and need to be burnt in via transcoding. 

Edited May 4, 2020 by SamES

[SamES 890]

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say 'the demo shows Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos as enabled'.  Can you explain this bit for me?  Thanks

Edited May 4, 2020 by SamES

[rbjtech 4254]

The demo's are not TrueHD, they are Dolby Digital Plus with Atmos.

 

As SamES says, Emby will play these just fine as they do not need the EARC bandwidth and work just fine over plain old ARC (via HDMI or TOSLink).

 

TrueHD bitrate needs - 18 Mbit/sec , DD+ needs just 1.7 Mbit/sec (a 640k base AC3 track plus 1 Mbit of Dolby positioning/audio data) - so a signification difference.

 

Even though the C9 DOES have EARC, is is not implemented as passthrough on the native LG media player that Emby uses - it therefore cannot be used.

 

As has been said many times, the only way to get TrueHD/Atmos is to use an external device (latest shield for example..) and pass the audio directly to the Atmos Audio Receiver via HDMI - which has the TV plugged into it as a 'Monitor' (ie no Audio) - ie this is a pretty standard AV setup. 

 

re the PGS - just add the .srt (text based) file alongside the media - then there is no transcoding necessary.

 

@@SamES, is it worth having a 'sticky' at the top of the LG section detailing the limitations of playing TrueHD ?

Edited May 4, 2020 by rbjtech

[Ponyo 22]

Not that it matters much, but in case of the internal player is this an issue with the software or is it physically impossible? My understanding of the EARC limitations on the C9 (and new X series) is that the hardware is physically not connected so HD audio over EARC cannot work from an internal app to external speakers.

 

I don't think you need a receiver? The Shield does show Dobly Atmos when connected only to the TV. Though it might be picking up only the core and not the full fat stream? Though I didn't think that was the case when I checked yesterday.

 

Also, can the subtitle font be changed somewhere?

[SamES 890]

@@SamES, is it worth having a 'sticky' at the top of the LG section detailing the limitations of playing TrueHD ?

 

Yes, it probably is.  Thanks

[SamES 890]

Not that it matters much, but in case of the internal player is this an issue with the software or is it physically impossible? My understanding of the EARC limitations on the C9 (and new X series) is that the hardware is physically not connected so HD audio over EARC cannot work from an internal app to external speakers.

 

I don't think you need a receiver? The Shield does show Dobly Atmos when connected only to the TV. Though it might be picking up only the core and not the full fat stream? Though I didn't think that was the case when I checked yesterday.

 

Also, can the subtitle font be changed somewhere?

 

I don't really know the technical limitation.  I expect it would be software, but I can't be sure.  It depends in the specs of the eARC chip and how the device has been design.

 

You can change the font size and color in the client settings, but not the font type.

[rbjtech 4254]

 

I don't think you need a receiver? The Shield does show Dobly Atmos when connected only to the TV. Though it might be picking up only the core and not the full fat stream? Though I didn't think that was the case when I checked yesterday.

 

 

My apologies - you are correct, you can play Atmos via the internal speakers of the TV - but really - I'm not sure why you would bother.  A sound bar is just about passable and can 'throw' the sound but using the internal down firing speakers to try and recreate positional Atmos sound is never going to sound great.  

[Ponyo 22]

Sure a sound bar will probably be better but the internal speakers sound fine to me. Better than the Onkyo set I used before.

 

Also how much will you end up spending if you want all the goodies such as HDMI 2.1 with VRR etc.? Are there even sound bars that support that at the moment

 

For me I prefer just using the tv at the moment.

[rbjtech 4254]

For me I prefer just using the tv at the moment.

 

Sure - please don't think I was belittling the equipment you have (you have a C9 - a fantastic TV!) - I am just saying that worrying about True-HD or Atmos is largely irrelevant if you are playing out the TV speakers - yes they are good for what they are, but compared to a decent AV Receiver and discrete 7.1 Atmos setup with good quality speakers, what you hear vs say normal compressed AC3 or DTS will be very minimal imo.