Throttling Not Happening

[BlackDub 50]

13 minutes ago, sa2000 said:

@BlackDub I would like to summarize the current position of the investigation:

I have not been able to get the Convesion Error that has been seen in your logs using the same movie file with transcoding. I tried on Linux ubuntu, Synology NAS and Windows all using Emby Server 4.9.1.3 with the Emby for Android 3.4.76 beta.

At this moment the only apparent difference in my setup is the Diagnostic Plugin. So one thing to see, is what happens if you test with the Diagnostic Plugin uninstalled - but also please see my next point:

 I would like to mention that whilst you discounted memory pressures as being a factor, we did have investigations before of ffmpeg struggling with video files and failing to extract images at specific offsets on this forum topic and this was due to memory shortage. So just in case there is some impact to ffmpeg, do change the DB cache from 1024 Mb to 128 Mb as we do have evidence from your logs of many DB connections being opened - eg 

2025-07-02 13:52:01.123 Info SqliteUserRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/users.db. isReadOnly: False
2025-07-02 13:52:01.159 Info ActivityRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/activitylog.db. isReadOnly: False
2025-07-02 13:52:01.227 Info AuthenticationRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/authentication.db. isReadOnly: False
2025-07-02 13:52:01.229 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: False
2025-07-02 13:52:01.235 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:01.266 Info SqliteUserRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/users.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:02.792 Info AuthenticationRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/authentication.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:06.100 Info ActivityRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/activitylog.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:09.545 Info AuthenticationRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/authentication.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.428 Info AuthenticationRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/authentication.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.433 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.434 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.434 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.435 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.440 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.440 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.441 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.441 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.443 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.443 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.444 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.444 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.445 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:52:56.445 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:53:10.795 Info ActivityRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/activitylog.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:53:16.433 Info AuthenticationRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/authentication.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:53:16.439 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True
2025-07-02 13:53:16.439 Info SqliteItemRepository: Opening sqlite connection to /config/data/library.db. isReadOnly: True

and we do try to allocate that cache for each connection.

Please when you remove the Diagnostic Plugin - also edit the max db cache setting - reducing it to 128 Mb or 96 Mb, restart the server and repeat the test and let me have the debug server and ffmpeg logs to see if the convesion error remains

Here you have the same error with DB 128mb, diagnostic plugin unninstalled and 2 reboots.

Ed: I tried updating the android app 3.4.75 and nothing change

ffmpeg-transcode-580edb51-1b34-4d21-9285-c54ee039c6bf_1.txt embyserver (21).txt

Edited July 4, 2025 by BlackDub

[sa2000 674]

Thanks @BlackDub Thank you for trying with these changes.

I have looked through all my tests and whilst there was no playback error visible on the screen, I did actually get 3 conversion errors during seeks. So I will refer these to the development team. 

I will refer it now to the development team. Thank you for all your tests.

In your case how widespread is this error for your media files and how often does the conversion error arise?

With regards to memory use, whilst reducing the db cache to the current default of 128Mb will reduce the impact, we do still get high memory usage on the beta because of the number of DB connections and each library.db connection will try to use 128Mb cache. This is being looked into.  What is the memory footprint (RSS+Swap) for the Emby Server process for your system and how much free memory is there?

Edited July 4, 2025 by sa2000

[derfy79 3]

@sa2000 It's been 5 months since your last intervention... do you have any updates because I'm still having the same problem?
The only workaround I've found is to enable the "Disable HLS Subtitles" option in the diagnostics options/plugins.

[sa2000 674]

8 hours ago, derfy79 said:

It's been 5 months since your last intervention... do you have any updates because I'm still having the same problem?
The only workaround I've found is to enable the "Disable HLS Subtitles" option in the diagnostics options/plugins

I am sorry this is still outstanding. I will give it a bump

[BlackDub 50]

Near to 2 years hahahah

[visproduction 315]

What would a feature that fixes this look like?

Up front, I have again, not read everything.  Hopefully, this has not been discussed.  It seems like everyone is trying to fix it so specific media never fails.  What about giving Emby a little more AI and offering some alerts and solutions to the admin and the user?

What is the ideal solution?

1. Transcoding and direct play work all the time.  --- This doesn't seem possible.  Media files and server setups can differ. Won't there always be some failure to play?  It's easy to state that some media use to work, but that's still not every media on every server. 
2. Alert there is a media playback problem on the server - If media playback fails, you are already notified by it simply not working.  Obviously, that is not ideal. Either the admin checks to see that playback works locally on every new upload, or Emby can do selected tests to confirm local playback for the admin.  This seems like a feature. Is this useful?  How would it best be done?  Run playback tests on selected media?  Have a switch to auto run tests on incoming media?  Should the tests only run when the server has light traffic?  Should there be automatic pause between media tests to help traffic? Where do the results show up?  How is the admin notified? Where are the controls?
3. Alert there is a media playback problem for the user - Does the user get an alert to tell them this media cannot be played.  I think this already happens. What other alert should the user get?  Should there be a notify the Admin button?
4. Provide an alternate transcoding option that takes more time - Admin -  Can the admin get an alert with a button to try transcoding to a better quality copy that won't have playback issues. This transcoding may easily take longer than real time. Can the server do this when there is light traffic?  Can the new media version have a playback review by admin and a 'OK' button to replace the new transcoded media and turn off the first media copy that is too heavy or some codec / sub issue for the server?  Where does this happen and how is the admin notified?
5. Provide an alternate transcoding option that takes more time - User - Same transcoding problem or quality playback for the user.  This could happen when bandwidth or other Network conflicts to reduce downloading speed for the user.  Hopefully, if the admin has already fixed a heavy media file, this situation should not happen.  If it does happen, how is the user notified? Can there be an option button to retry transcoding at a higher quality setting and it's OK to wait longer for delivery?  Can this request cause the server to change transcoding and try a different setting?  Should the user get a progress bar and notification when the newly "fixed" transcode is ready?
   
   Fixing a particular transcoding issue is always good.  I just thought I would mention these feature designs to see if anyone would like something like this to automatically kick-in for future media transcoding issues? I think it's good to discuss feature design and much easier to talk about it than to design it multiple times.  Without extra AI type of support, aren't you probably going to get never ending playback issues in the future, with every update or codec and player changes?

[Luke 42077]

On 12/4/2025 at 10:04 PM, derfy79 said:

@sa2000 It's been 5 months since your last intervention... do you have any updates because I'm still having the same problem?
The only workaround I've found is to enable the "Disable HLS Subtitles" option in the diagnostics options/plugins.

Hi, can you test this issue on a video file that has only one embedded subtitle track? Thanks !

[derfy79 3]

8 hours ago, Luke said:

Hi, can you test this issue on a video file that has only one embedded subtitle track? Thanks !

No, I can't. Note that I only have the problem with the iOS version or on a firestick with any version of Emby for Android TV 2.1.29 or Universal Emby for Android 3.5.17... I don't have the problem with the web version.

Edit:

However, in the logs, I still have "Conversion failed!" errors, even when playing the web version, but the video doesn't freeze like it does on Firestick or iOS devices.

Edited December 12, 2025 by derfy79
add info

[Luke 42077]

3 hours ago, derfy79 said:

No, I can't. Note that I only have the problem with the iOS version or on a firestick with any version of Emby for Android TV 2.1.29 or Universal Emby for Android 3.5.17... I don't have the problem with the web version.

Edit:

However, in the logs, I still have "Conversion failed!" errors, even when playing the web version, but the video doesn't freeze like it does on Firestick or iOS devices.

Hi, what exactly do you mean by "no you can't"? Can't reproduce or can't test it?

[derfy79 3]

1 hour ago, Luke said:

Hi, what exactly do you mean by "no you can't"? Can't reproduce or can't test it?

can't test

[sa2000 674]

@BlackDub Are you able to confirm what @Lukeasked for 

On 12/12/2025 at 05:36, Luke said:

can you test this issue on a video file that has only one embedded subtitle track? Thanks !

Using your provided media file for Rebel Moon, I could not reproduce the issue when I reduced the number of embedded subtitle streams to just one.

 

Edited December 23, 2025 by sa2000

[BlackDub 50]

14 minutes ago, sa2000 said:

@BlackDub Are you able to confirm what @Lukeasked for 

Using your provided media file for Rebel Moon, I could not reproduce the issue when I reduced the number of embedded subtitle streams to just one.

 

But then, you need to convert any media to delete the other subtitles?

[sa2000 674]

2 minutes ago, BlackDub said:

you need to convert any media to delete the other subtitles?

I used mkvtoolnix and I thought that maintained everything the same except for dropping the subtitle streams. Maybe I am wrong !

[sa2000 674]

Do you have any with just 1 subtitle stream?

[BlackDub 50]

4 minutes ago, sa2000 said:

I used mkvtoolnix and I thought that maintained everything the same except for dropping the subtitle streams. Maybe I am wrong !

but i dont want use a tool for convert all my movies xDDD this is a lot of work

[sa2000 674]

1 minute ago, BlackDub said:

but i dont want use a tool for convert all my movies xDDD this is a lot of work

It was just to confirm a theory / conclusion that it was related to multiple subtitle streams. It is not said that one needs to convert all movies.

 

[derfy79 3]

@sa2000 @Luke
Perhaps you could do something about this problem. The thread has been open for almost two years and no viable solution has been found... Please reread the entire thread and find a solution. Thank you.

[Neminem 1518]

Guess they are still looking for you logs

[Luke 42077]

2 hours ago, derfy79 said:

@sa2000 @Luke
Perhaps you could do something about this problem. The thread has been open for almost two years and no viable solution has been found... Please reread the entire thread and find a solution. Thank you.

HI, we are looking into it. Thanks.

[derfy79 3]

On 12/12/2025 at 12:36 AM, Luke said:

Hi, can you test this issue on a video file that has only one embedded subtitle track? Thanks !

I was finally able to test my problematic file by converting it and keeping only one subtitle track, and the problem is not present.

[Luke 42077]

14 minutes ago, derfy79 said:

I was finally able to test my problematic file by converting it and keeping only one subtitle track, and the problem is not present.

Hi, that's interesting, thanks. Can we please see the log example from that? 

[derfy79 3]

1 hour ago, Luke said:

Hi, that's interesting, thanks. Can we please see the log example from that? 

@Luke

ffmpeg-transcode-78ac53b3-258d-4842-a6d5-ba70b3eafba1_1.txt

Edited January 23 by derfy79

[Luke 42077]

5 minutes ago, derfy79 said:

@Luke

ffmpeg-transcode-78ac53b3-258d-4842-a6d5-ba70b3eafba1_1.txt 103.34 kB · 0 downloads

Ok but this is ass subtitles. What about when the embedded subtitles are subrip and there is only one of them?

[derfy79 3]

13 hours ago, Luke said:

Ok but this is ass subtitles. What about when the embedded subtitles are subrip and there is only one of them?

@Luke

Sorry, with only one subrip embedded subtitles, the probleme is still here.

[visproduction 315]

On 12/23/2025 at 4:30 AM, BlackDub said:

but i dont want use a tool for convert all my movies xDDD this is a lot of work

MKVtools just remuxes media, without the subs or whatever you turn off.  Remuxing 2 hour 1080P on an average i7 computer takes about 1 minute.

If you want to pull out subtitles as separate files use MKVcleaver which takes all of about 10 seconds per media on a slow server.

These apps probably can do scripted tasks for multiple files all at once. ffmpeg can do this with scripts.  It is a little tricky to get the script right, but then you just need a double click or press the "Enter" key to do thousands of media files.  Then just replace the original media files with the new ones in each directory and rename the subtitle files to match the media file with an extra .en.srt.  I do this for every media and so far, I have not had any playback problems with subtitles with any TV, android app or browser.

Asking Emby to do this remuxing, removing and converting subtitles automatically, seems to be outside the scope of a media server.  I think it's more a file prep and management issue.