General Playback issue for *some* 1080P HEVC files

[bbking67 1]

I have been encountering HEVC encoded MKV files that Emby just doesn't like.  This issues are different on various platforms.  First of all, the files play perfectly on the local system.  The metadata is very similar to others.  I have encountered the issue with Blu-Ray rips most frequently, but also TV shows--I do suspect the issue is somehow related to the origin (I think most of these are UK/Euro files).  In the past I have been just getting a new file, thinking maybe it was a playback issue on my particular device, but now I do believe it is some kind of bug with Emby.

Chromecast Ultra 4K (2022) - On this device the files play, but the framerate appears low.  Basically it's choppy.  120Hz is disabled on my TV (because I know it can cause issues).  If I switch to a lower bandwidth (this forcing transcoding), the file will play absolutely smoothly but with drastically reduced quality.

Apple TV HD - On my Apple TV the file plays smoothly, but there is a noticeable audio lag of half a second to a second.  Note: the Apple TV HD (Original model) supports direct playback but only has a software decoder, but it works well most of the time.

Web interface - from my desktop PC using the Google Chrome browser the playback of affected HEVC 1080P files is even worse than on the ChromeCast Ultra.  Essentially it's choppy and the frames don't even play in the right sequence, so you get jump ahead-jump back-jump ahead frames.

My Web Server is a Windows PC with a 12th generation Intel CPU (N100) and graphics.  Intel QuickSync is enabled for various codecs on the Emby Server, but these files are Direct Play anyway.

I'd be glad to post any required information from emby logs or video information (Just let me know what you need).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Luke 42080]

 

Hi there, let's look at an example. Please attach the information requested in how to report a media playback issue. Thanks!

 

[bbking67 1]

Alright here goes.  I sent a log from the Chromecast Ulta 4K at 3:44pm after reproducing the problem.

The logs contain a good playback (LOTR) and a bad playback (Harry). 

I also have video clips that show the issue if you want them.

I hope this is what you need!

 

 

embyserver (1).txt

[bbking67 1]

fyi the logged in user is Chris for the android tv log.

[visproduction 315]

Possibly related:
"motherboard BIOS that was messing things up."
https://github.com/HandBrake/HandBrake/issues/5006

Also:
"automatic port mapper feature not working with your router"

 

[Luke 42080]

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.

 

[bbking67 1]

Motherboard BIOS - I guess this issue would affect whomever encoded the HEVC MKV.  That being said there are a lot of bad files... and most other solutions play the files with no issue.

Automatic Port Mapper - I've turned off remote access altogether as I never use it.  The problem persists (unless there is another place I need to turn off port mapping?)

Sideloading the app - I will attempt this on the Chromecast later today.  That being said, the issue occurs on Roku and Web as well, leading me to believe that this is more of a server issue (and other similarly encoded files work fine).

[ebr 16185]

Hi.  If the issue is occurring on multiple platforms when direct playing then it seems highly likely the issue is with the media (or, perhaps, network).  How were these items created?

[bbking67 1]

I didn't create the media... however it's fairly common and direct playback works fine.  It only fails from Emby.  In part the issue is certainly the media, but I have no intention of reencoding files.  If I could trigger transcoding with decent performance that would be an adequate workaround, but the only option i have is to limit to 2MB/s and the quality is very bad.

 

 

[Luke 42080]

43 minutes ago, bbking67 said:

I didn't create the media... however it's fairly common and direct playback works fine.  It only fails from Emby.  In part the issue is certainly the media, but I have no intention of reencoding files.  If I could trigger transcoding with decent performance that would be an adequate workaround, but the only option i have is to limit to 2MB/s and the quality is very bad.

 

 

Have you tried the convert media feature in emby server?

[ebr 16185]

54 minutes ago, bbking67 said:

If I could trigger transcoding with decent performance

Did you try the "Playback Correction" option in the Android TV and Roku apps?

[bbking67 1]

5 hours ago, ebr said:

Did you try the "Playback Correction" option in the Android TV and Roku apps?

I tried it on the Android TV and it was not good... still choppy (even though its transcoding).

 

[Luke 42080]

Have you checked out the convert media feature in emby server?

[bbking67 1]

On 07/12/2023 at 17:09, Luke said:

Have you checked out the convert media feature in emby server?

On 05/12/2023 at 09:18, bbking67 said:

r - I've turned off remote access altogether as I never use it.  The problem persists (unless there is another place I need to turn off port mapping?)

Sideloading the app - I will attempt this on the Chromecast l

No I was not able to successfully sideload anything on the chromecast... it doesn't see my storage device via OTG like the firetv does.

I have 10-12 mkv files in this situation and i know i could re-encode them, but that's not what i want to do.

Given that there is no indication as to what the problem may be i think i will try other solutions--I don't know maybe the problem persists with the competition as well.

 

 

[Luke 42080]

@bbking67are you able to try the 4.8 beta server and see how that compares?

[bbking67 1]

I tried the beta server tonight and I still have the problem.

I did discover that my old v1 FireTV Cube works fine which is interesting considering it breaks with the newer Chromecast Ultra and the Apple TV HD.

 

[Luke 42080]

@bbking67are you still having an issue with this? What version of Emby Server are you on now?