Why is CCWGTV Transcoding when it shouldnt?

[CNTSFKCD 4]

Hey, I am a free user. 
Have been using it for a while now. But I am having constant issues with Emby and CCWGTV HD (not4k).

First off, I am only playing media Locally. Media is on my 1Gbps NAS through my 1Gbps router. Everything works flawlessly via my Pixel 6 Pro Emby app.
CCWGTV is connected via 5Ghz WiFi. I do not have any interference with other WiFi (I live very rural and neighbours are 1.5km from me) and the Router is 1ft away from the CCWGTV. 

 

The issue:

I am trying to play 'Revenge of The Sith' (which is and .mkv 1080p HEVC Main10 - 3Mbps Bitrate) and it works flawlessly on my Pixel 6 Pro, I can change chapter fine, its direct playing (no transcoding), same as when I play it via my laptop using Thorium (chrome). 
However when I try to play it on the CCWGTV it starts playing via DirectPlay but then it stops and starts transcoding saying Recovering from HLS playback error and then I get an error about there being to available streams.
Same thing happens when I try to play it via Opera GX and Floorp (firefox) on the exact same laptop I used to play it via Thorium.

It will play while transcoding although it takes a long time to start, but I cannot fast forward or change chapter otherwise the video will crash and emby gives me the error about HLS playback error.
It direct plays via my Pixel 6 Pro (running the exact same Emby version as the CCWGTV) and Chrome browser, but transcodes when using firefox and Opera browsers.

I have checked to see if it was my network by playing 1080p x264 movies on multiple devices at once and they all work fine with no buffering at all.
It appears as though the issue could be related to .mkv files because I have done some tests with other movies that have the same resolution and bitrate but are .mp4 and they work just fine, I can change chapter, fast forward etc with no issues and it works fast.

Troubleshooting

As mentioned already I have checked if it was my network speed which appears it isn't the cause.
I have tested videos with same bitrate and resolution but .mp4 containers instead of .mkv and it appears .mkv are the issue.
I have done a done a fresh install of Emby Server without restoring from a backup which didnt solve the issue.
I have done a factory reset and powercycles of the CCWGTV which didnt solve the issue.

I have searched up and down this forum for details on how to fix this but I cannot find anything to help me. Which is why I am now making my own post.

I have uploaded the log files. If they are not the correct ones please let me know as I am very new to Emby.
 

 

 

ffmpeg-transcode-c6c46f9b-eb3a-4d02-86ba-55eab188cca6_1.txt embyserver.txt

[ebr 16169]

Hi.  That ffmpeg log is from browser playback in Firefox. 

[CNTSFKCD 4]

12 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi.  That ffmpeg log is from browser playback in Firefox. 

Oh sorry, how do I get the one from the CC app? I have logging set to 'on' under - Manage Emby Server > Emby for Android > Logs. I have restarted the app but still no logs are showing.
I am using the latest version of Emby for Android from Emby website. 

 

It's not letting me save the log file. When I choose to save the log it says saving but it doesn't actually save it. The app has permission set to allow access to storage. I have tried to save it to different folders as well but it just doesnt save. When I choose to share via bluetooth it says it cant do that.

Edited August 8, 2024 by CNTSFKCD

[CNTSFKCD 4]

So I downloaded Jellyfin today to eliminate any issues and it turns out it works flawlessly with the Jellyfin server, so its definitely Emby that is the issue.
In fact Jellyfin was so much faster that I could fast forward with no issues at all, I could change chapter and it was fast. Even to scan the library was insanely faster.
Loading the library was fast and it doesn't lag when scrolling through. Even starting a movie is pretty instant where as with Emby it does take anywhere from 3 seconds to 40 seconds to start playing. 

This is pretty concerning to say the least because I almost was ready to buy Emby premier once I got these issues sorted because I love the Emby Android TV app (which unfortunately is being discontinued so that is what stopped me purchasing premier because its much better than the Android app).

If I could get the logs off the Emby android app I would post them but its not letting me share the files to the file system or via Bluetooth (the only options it gives me)
 

[ebr 16169]

Hi. If you have the same issue with the Android TV app you can play that item for a few seconds and then follow the instructions to send a log from the app.

 

 

[CNTSFKCD 4]

19 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi. If you have the same issue with the Android TV app you can play that item for a few seconds and then follow the instructions to send a log from the app.

 

 

Okay so what I have done is completely wiped my server , did a fresh install of ubuntu server and  jellyfin to make sure there are no variables messing with me.

With Jellyfin there was no issues at all, it would start playing pretty much instantaneously and I could skip forward and it would resume playing after 1 second.
It would transcode the audio down to stereo but the video was a direct stream.

I then did the same thing again, wiped my server, did a fresh install of ubuntu server and emby. The movie starts a little bit better (but still no where near as good as jellyfin) but as soon as I skip forward, emby starts to transcode it. 

I believe I have gotten the correct log file now.

I would just stick with Jellyfin but I just cant deal with their android tv app, it's just basically crap and I dont want to deal with Kodi. 
I would really love to get on board the Emby Premier train if only these issues could be solved
 

ffmpeg-transcode-65664bce-91c4-478b-b183-81fced3ca454_1.txt

[GrimReaper 4739]

10 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

I believe I have gotten the correct log file now.

You did. 

For some reason, your device is reporting H.265 "Main 10" profile as not supported:

Quote

&hevc-profile=Main

hence transcoding occurs:

Quote

&TranscodeReasons=DirectPlayError,VideoProfileNotSupported,DirectPlayError&AllowVideoStreamCopy=false

although said profile should be supported, according device specs:

Quote

Chromecast with Google TV

• HEVC / H.265 Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (4Kx2K@60fps)

@ebr

[GrimReaper 4739]

24 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

I would really love to get on board the Emby Premier train if only these issues could be solved

Reagardless of the outcome of this thread, subscribing to Premiere would likely get those issues solved, as currently your GPU:

Quote

>>>>>>  Hardware Decoders for hevc
        [X] VAAPI GeminiLake UHD Graphics 600 - H.265 (HEVC)
        [X] QuickSync GeminiLake UHD Graphics 600 - H.265 (HEVC)

>>>>>>  Hardware Encoders for h264
        [X] VAAPI GeminiLake UHD Graphics 600 - H.264 (AVC)
        [X] QuickSync GeminiLake UHD Graphics 600 - H.264 (AVC)

>>>>>>  Selected Codecs
Decoder Automatic software decoder

is not utilized:

Quote

>>>>>>  FindVideoEncoder - MediaType: h264, UseHardwareCodecs: True, HWA-Mode: Automatic

Warning: Hardware acceleration is not available as it requires a valid Premiere Subscription
Info    Checking: 'x264'
Info    Check successful - selecting 'x264'

>>>>>>  FindVideoDecoder - MediaType: hevc, UseHardwareCodecs: True, HWA-Mode: Automatic

Warning: Hardware acceleration is not available as it requires a valid Premiere Subscription
Info    Checking: 'Automatic software decoder'
Info    Check successful - selecting 'Automatic software decoder'

and your server cannot keep up when transcoding is done in software only:

Quote

09:00:34.099 elapsed=00:00:08.20 frame=  162 fps= 20 q=28.0 q=-1.0 q=-1.0 size=N/A time=00:00:02.21 bitrate=N/A throttle=off speed=0.269x    
09:00:34.579 elapsed=00:00:08.70 frame=  172 fps= 20 q=28.0 q=-1.0 q=-1.0 size=N/A time=00:00:02.62 bitrate=N/A throttle=off speed=0.302x    
09:00:35.120 elapsed=00:00:09.21 frame=  185 fps= 20 q=28.0 q=-1.0 q=-1.0 size=N/A time=00:00:03.16 bitrate=N/A throttle=off speed=0.344x

For real-time transcoding, speed needs to be, at bare minimum, >1x.

Edited August 9, 2024 by GrimReaper

[CNTSFKCD 4]

Quote

Chromecast with Google TV

• HEVC / H.265 Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (4Kx2K@60fps)

Just to clarify I have Chromecast with Google TV HD not 4k but I still believe it supports that video profile.

You mentioned 

Quote

your server cannot keep up when transcoding is done in software only

Can you tell by the log the reason my server cant keep up? Because when I monitor the CPU and RAM it barely is being used when I am using Emby and also when encountering these issues. It's like Emby isn't even trying to use the resources.

The video shouldn't need to transcode though which is the problem and it only does it with Emby and not Jellyfin.

I am waiting for the blackfriday sale to purchase premier lifetime. I just wanted to make sure everything works before I purchase it.
I have done months of testing Plex, Emby and Jellyfin to see which is best for me and Emby is on top, I just need to solve this issue. I honestly thought it was the Chromecast until I tested Jellyfin today.

[CNTSFKCD 4]

 

I am waiting for the blackfriday sale to purchase premier lifetime.

Okay I just bought premier because I realised for me it's only $30 discount at blackfriday sales which is ages away. It was enevitable, I was just putting it off because $180AUD isn't pocket change. But I guess its well worth it in the end.

[GrimReaper 4739]

7 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

Just to clarify I have Chromecast with Google TV HD not 4k but I still believe it supports that video profile.

I honestly wouldn't know, Google official page doesn't make that distinction, my guess would be that the only difference is only in max. resolution supported (Full HD vs 4K) while codec support is shared accross both devices, but as I own neither of these devices, maybe some fellow user/owner might chime in. 

11 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

Can you tell by the log the reason my server cant keep up? Because when I monitor the CPU and RAM it barely is being used when I am using Emby and also when encountering these issues. It's like Emby isn't even trying to use the resources.

Nope, have no idea which CPU your server machine is equipped with (guess would be something like 4th-7th gen Intel?). 

17 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

The video shouldn't need to transcode though which is the problem and it only does it with Emby and not Jellyfin.

Based on your tests, I'd guess it shouldn't, but you'll need to wait for the Dev's input. 

You can also provide in-app log, as already advised:

20 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi. If you have the same issue with the Android TV app you can play that item for a few seconds and then follow the instructions to send a log from the app.

Quote

Emby for Android TV/Fire TV and Emby for Roku Logs

 

These apps have the option to send an app log to us electronically.  You enter the settings page and turn on the "Debug Options".  Now there will be a new tile on your home page settings row (or menu option on the user menu at the top) labelled "Send Log".  Reproduce your problem and then use this button to send the log.  Then add the following information to your report in the forum:

 

• Exactly what you were doing and what happened.  Include the name of whatever you played if it is a playback problem
• The time you sent the log (in Eastern Time please - UTC -5)
• The name of the Emby user on the local server that was logged in at the time

 

[CNTSFKCD 4]

3 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

Nope, have no idea which CPU your server machine is equipped with (guess would be something like 4th-7th gen Intel?). 

 Intel(R) Celeron(R) N4000 CPU @ 1.10GHz

I am running it off my old Acer Spin 1 sp111-33 Set up  running headless Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS. 
Minimum install with nothing else added other than Emby Server. 

I have just tested with the hardware transcoding and it works much better but I just dont understand why it needs to transcode when other videos exact same profile but higher bitrate play fine.  Its very unusual. 

Hopefully the Devs can help

[Neminem 1518]

This is a guess, but AAC 7.1 audio.

09:00:25.854   Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (HE-AAC), 48000 Hz, 7.1, fltp, Start-Time 0.031s (default)
09:00:25.854     Metadata:
09:00:25.854       BPS-eng         : 243313
09:00:25.854       DURATION-eng    : 02:20:06.315000000
09:00:25.855       NUMBER_OF_FRAMES-eng: 197023
09:00:25.855       NUMBER_OF_BYTES-eng: 255670797

09:00:25.862 [aac @ 0x1a50e00] Assuming an incorrectly encoded 7.1 channel layout instead of a spec-compliant 7.1(wide) layout, use -strict 1 to decode according to the specification instead.

09:00:25.867   Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (aac (native) -> aac (native))

 

09:00:28.693   Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (LC), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 192 kb/s (default)

I guess that is being converted to AAC 2.0 

I have seen that causing problems.

Can you try converting AAC 7.1 to AC3 5.1 or make an extra audio stream with AC3 5.1.

AC3 5.1 is better accepted by players. 

Edited August 9, 2024 by JayceDK
Adding

[GrimReaper 4739]

1 hour ago, JayceDK said:

I guess that is being converted to AAC 2.0

It is:

Quote

09:00:28.693   Stream #0:1(eng): Audio: aac (LC), 48000 Hz, stereo, fltp, 192 kb/s (default)

though if that was the only reason it should be DirectStreaming (as JF apparently does:

3 hours ago, CNTSFKCD said:

With Jellyfin there was no issues at all, it would start playing pretty much instantaneously and I could skip forward and it would resume playing after 1 second.
It would transcode the audio down to stereo but the video was a direct stream.

); and it doesn't explain:

3 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

Quote

&hevc-profile=Main

 

Quote

&TranscodeReasons=DirectPlayError,VideoProfileNotSupported,DirectPlayError&AllowVideoStreamCopy=false

 

[CNTSFKCD 4]

1 hour ago, JayceDK said:

Can you try converting AAC 7.1 to AC3 5.1 or make an extra audio stream with AC3 5.1

Okay I am thinking you might be onto something? I am currently converting it to AAC Stereo and I will see how that goes.

 

3 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

It is:

though if that was the only reason it should be DirectStreaming (as JF apparently does:

I just want to clarify that JF transcodes the audio to stereo but the video direct plays. But Emby seems to transcode the video as well when the audio is transcoded. 
I think that could possibly be the issue here maybe.
 

[GrimReaper 4739]

23 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

I just want to clarify that JF transcodes the audio to stereo but the video direct plays

And Emby generally does the same, if audio remux or container swap is required, and it generally ain't very CPU-taxing process. 

Direct Play vs Direct Streaming vs Transcoding

However, in certain scenarios it doesn't and it results in full transcode - like in your current example, hence common denominator should be established IMHO, if feasible.

Edit: You could also try downloading standard Android app from your store (or sideload from here) or sideload beta .16 AndroidTV client from here and see how does that compare.

Quote

2.1.16 (28 Jul)

• Fix typo in profile level

2.1.15 (24 Jul)

• Update translations
• Fix trying to direct play unsupported HEVC profile
• Don't queue missing episodes if display option off
• Limit missing episodes to 10

 

Edited August 9, 2024 by GrimReaper
Link

[CNTSFKCD 4]

13 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

hence common denominator should be established IMHO, if feasible.

are you telling me I need to reinstall jellyfin server to get a log to cross check with the emby one?

[GrimReaper 4739]

6 minutes ago, CNTSFKCD said:

are you telling me I need to reinstall jellyfin server to get a log to cross check with the emby one?

Nope, I'm saying you should provide in-app logs as already suggested twice, as those would paint much better picture than ffmpeg logs alone. 

Or/and download/sideload as per above and check/compare behavior. 

Edited August 9, 2024 by GrimReaper

[CNTSFKCD 4]

11 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

Nope, I'm saying you should provide in-app logs as already suggested twice, as those would paint much better picture than ffmpeg logs alone. 

Or/and download/sideload as per above and check/compare behavior. 

I have set up the debug on the Emby ATV app.
I just wanted to do as much troubleshooting my self to help them eliminate issues.

UPDATE: @JayceDK was right!

I used ffmpeg to convert the audio from 7.1 to stereo and remove the 7.1 track and it plays fine. It does transcode and its super fast.
So the issue here is that Emby is forcing the video to transcode when the audio needs to. 

Thanks @JayceDKyou bloody champ. 

Now all I need to do is get those logs to emby and see if the devs can sort this out. 

[ebr 16169]

1 hour ago, CNTSFKCD said:

So the issue here is that Emby is forcing the video to transcode when the audio needs to.

No, this is why it is transcoding:

DirectPlayError&AllowVideoStreamCopy=false

The app log I requested may shed some light but it is likely related to the bad audio encode reported by ffmpeg.

[Luke 42077]

@CNTSFKCD?

[CNTSFKCD 4]

44 minutes ago, Luke said:

@CNTSFKCD?

Hey, yup I am here I have just been busy and I decided to do a few tests before I took up your time in investigating this.
I did a whole new format and install of Debian 12 but this time I tried to install Emby Server as a docker container....that just fkd things up...Emby wouldn't play nice. I am not going to bother getting into that drama because I am not going to bother with docker. The laptop is solely for Emby and that's it. 

Annnnyway I have the Emby Server up and running again. But this time I am using MediaElch to scrape all media images, actor images etc because I did a test and found it runs so much faster on the CC doing it this way rather than Emby doing the scrapes. For some reason even with Emby saving the images into the media folders it still lagged bad. But now it doesn't doing it this way.

But I have encountered other issues I need to bring up so once I have all that together I will fill you in. Hopefully tonight I will have it ready for you.
 

I want to make sure there's no user error involved with this ie my Emby Server settings etc.
 

[Luke 42077]

Thanks for the update. Yes you can use that other software for metadata fetching, although Emby infernal fetching will work just fine too. 

[CNTSFKCD 4]

On 23/08/2024 at 08:37, Luke said:

Thanks for the update. Yes you can use that other software for metadata fetching, although Emby infernal fetching will work just fine too. 

Hey Luke, sorry for the delay in getting back. There's just been some stuff come up that's prevented me from sorting this out.
In the meantime I am going to just close this thread because at the moment I haven't had any issues with Emby and my media apart for that Star Wars one. Which I am most certain it comes down to what old mate said about the 7.1 audio being the issue.

Just for reference I live off-grid in the Australian bush, closest neighbour is 1km away so there is absolutely no issue with Wi-Fi interference from other people, my whole cabin runs on 12v-24v that comes from my LiFepo4 battery bank. The only devices I have that use Wi-Fi are ChromeCast and Pixel 6 Pro. My laptop is permanently connected via Cat6 and my NAS is the same. 

Hardware:

EMBY SERVER = Dell Latitude 5300 (has Quick Sync) - Connected to router via 1m long CAT6
NAS = QNAP TS-210 - Connected to router via 1m long CAT6
ROUTER = NetComm NTC-402
CCWGTV = HD Version - Connected via 5ghz AC Wi-Fi. 1m away from the router. The router tells me the signal strength for the CC is 96% with a 433Mbps connection.

I noticed when direct streaming 1080p/5Mbps 5.1 AAC  on the CC through Emby it pauses because it can't keep up for some reason but it doesn't do this all the time.

When I am copying files from my computer to the NAS I am getting 20MB/s (160Mbps) transfer speed. So I don't think the NAS or Emby server (computer) are the issues. I am thinking it has something to do with either the Emby app or the CC. I have tested this with the latest and beta Emby Android and Emby Android TV apps.

Although I found the TV app is a lot slower loading menus etc. But I do prefer it over the Android app.

One question I have though is how to downmix 5.1 to Stereo on the android app because there's no option for it. Only the Emby TV app has that option.

 

Anyway I just thought I would give you the information with the setup and what's happening. Obviously you can't do much without the logs but I just don't have the time to be fiddling around with that at the moment unfortunately.

Cheers

 

[Luke 42077]

Quote

One question I have though is how to downmix 5.1 to Stereo on the android app because there's no option for it. Only the Emby TV app has that option.

Hi, yes we can look at adding this to the standard app. Thanks !