Android TV app missing "pass direct path"

[gaetan 0]

Hello,

I installed android app in my android box (zidoo android 9.0). I want to path a direct path to an external player. But the option is missing from the menu... I searched everywhere and can't find a solution. Without passing the direct path subtitles are not working.

 

Thanks

[Luke 42078]

Hi, what are you running your Emby Server on? Are you sure the android box will be able to reach the direct path?

[gaetan 0]

@LukeHi, Emby server run on docker on kubernetes. I tried both local path+smb path, and smb only in media library configuration. Direct path works on kodi emby plugin but I don't have the option in emby app.

The option isn't just disabled, it's completely missing. It should be before "external player", right  ? 

[GrimReaper 4740]

Is there a particular reason for using external player in the first place? 

[gaetan 0]

Yes. I never managed to play a high bitrate 4k movie with emby player on my Nvidia shield, same issue with VLC. Probably not emby fault.

So I bought a zidoo box, and the player works perfectly, but I would like to use emby app. So I need a way to pass the direct path to the external zidoo player.

[gaetan 0]

@LukeDo you think it will be fixed in latest beta ?

[ebr 16176]

16 hours ago, gaetan said:

So I need a way to pass the direct path to the external zidoo player

Why?

Also, did you try the internal player on that box?

[gaetan 0]

@ebr Because without direct path, internal subtitles in mkv files don't work (same problem on jellyfin). Another reason is that the stream is way more reliable by using SMB paths.

I tried the emby internal player and it is stuttering. I confirmed that the external player works flawlessly on the box default home theater app and on jellyfin with external player+external path. But I would like to keep emby and not migrate to jellyfin, that's why I need this option

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by gaetan

[Luke 42078]

Hi.  Can you try sideloading our standard android app on the same device and see how that compares?

https://emby.media/emby-for-android.html

Thanks.

 

[gaetan 0]

Everything is the same. And I don't see the option to pass the direct pass. Is it somewhere else  ? 

[rbjtech 5284]

So I use direct file access myself (direct SMB file access) on my Shield Pro - but only because it still runs Android 9.

If I were to upgrade to Android 11 (the latest Shield release) then I would loose the option.

The new Android App does not have this option at all.

Have you the option to 'mount' the storage from the unc file shares on the Zidoo ?

If yes, you MUST use capital letters for the OPTIONAL server name in the Emby library - or it will not work.

ie

 

The Pass Direct Path is in the 'Playback Menu' - see below :-

 

Unless you see 'File' in the stream type - then it is not playing via a direct SMB file playback.

 

btw - you do not HAVE to use this option to playback high bitrate 4K files (it is best to - I agree 100% - but that's a long lost debate with the emby team ..) but streaming / http works just fine as well - but obviously needs the emby server in the middle to do the SMB to HTTP conversion and twice the network bandwidth if your files sit on a NAS etc.   This 'can' cause problems if your files sit on a NAS - if they do, then direct playback via SMB is an obvious resolution.  If your files sit as directly attached storage (local disk), then it's not that much of an overhead.

Edited March 14, 2023 by rbjtech

[somy 25]

On 3/12/2023 at 6:09 PM, gaetan said:

Hello,

I installed android app in my android box (zidoo android 9.0). I want to path a direct path to an external player. But the option is missing from the menu... I searched everywhere and can't find a solution. Without passing the direct path subtitles are not working.

 

Thanks

I have exactly the same problem on Zidoo box - Emby only allows HTTP stream to external player, and all video files are played as title "stream" which is annoying.