Issues with Direct Play

[Darkel_91 2]

Ok, so I couldn't make it work, and I thought maybe the problem is in my Docker container (I was using binhex-emby on my Unraid server, so non-official) or there are troubles in some configs

So I installed official Docker, set up the server all anew, and the files I couldn't make work on another server worked like a charm!

But I did not rejoice for long, because now totally different files wouldn't work! Same TV, same client, same network, just different instances of the Emby server.

It just like the server at some point just randomly chooses some files and refuses to play them whatever you do, and it has nothing to do with the very files.

[visproduction 315]

DVD source material is known for audio sync issues.  It depends on how the media was encoded from the DVD source and, of course the DVD audio / video possible copy protection.  Media playing back in sync with a 3rd party player does not really tell you anything about file errors with the media.

The symptoms are the audio and subtitles will not stay in sync.  Pausing or fast forward changes the sync.  Getting a useable copy from DVD media often requires some extra steps.  Since a quick capture seems to work and plays back if you do not pause or change the timeline position, people often think the copied media is fine.  It isn't.

A quick search find hundreds of posts about this issue:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=DVD+audio+sync+error+media+encoding+steps&ia=web

Example steps to fix with one software:
https://www.winxdvd.com/answers/fix-winx-dvd-ripper-video-audio-out-of-sync-error.htm

It is worth testing from online media test files to see if these are playing correctly in sync.  If that is true, then it does point to your copied DVD media as the problem.

Edited July 12, 2025 by visproduction

[SamES 1056]

10 hours ago, Darkel_91 said:

Ok, so I couldn't make it work, and I thought maybe the problem is in my Docker container (I was using binhex-emby on my Unraid server, so non-official) or there are troubles in some configs

So I installed official Docker, set up the server all anew, and the files I couldn't make work on another server worked like a charm!

But I did not rejoice for long, because now totally different files wouldn't work! Same TV, same client, same network, just different instances of the Emby server.

It just like the server at some point just randomly chooses some files and refuses to play them whatever you do, and it has nothing to do with the very files.

Can you post some updated logs and examples?

[visproduction 315]

Darkel,

Have a close look at the files that don't work.  You can run them through a file check.  Full ffmpeg install, mp4box or MKVtools, I think even VLC can troubleshoot, but their interface is often too layered.  Maybe some of the problem files have excessive subtitles in graphic form, timeline issues, sometimes even where the timeline data appears.  It should be always near the top of the file, but sometimes it is at the end. 

[Darkel_91 2]

On 7/13/2025 at 8:58 AM, SamES said:

Can you post some updated logs and examples?

Yes, here you are

embyserver_1 - is the first instance that I had from the very start

• File_1 here starts at 2025-07-16 11:49:03.242. You will see few tries with DirectPlay (no luck still) and a few with transcoding (worked well just like the last time)
• File_2 here starts at 2025-07-16 12:45:03.930. No luck with this one, did not try transcoding.

embyserver_2 - is the new instance where I managed to launch same files

• File_1 - starts at 2025-07-16 12:32:54.149, played well with DirectPlay, I also tried changing audio track - no problems with that.
• File_2 - starts at 2025-07-16 12:37:50.896, played well with DirectPlay

The thing I should also mention - when I left my last message, it was just as I described in that one. When I came back today to get some logs - I discovered that on server_2 the files won't launch either! So I reset the server by deleting all the data and got it to run both file_1 and file_2 and got both files working on server_2 again (but who knows how long that will last).

Another weird thing is that file_2 does work sometimes on server_1, but not always. As I was trying and testing there were cases where it would launch. Logs for that are in embyserver_1_file_2_v2 file, i guess you want to be looking at 2025-07-16 12:59:15.836 (it did play here) and 2025-07-16 13:01:06.312 (did not play here). between those i also tried to launch file_1 (2025-07-16 12:59:46.532, no luck), maybe that influenced file_2 somehow....

That's all too weird. I hope just hope you managed to understand what I'm saying here haha

embyserver_1_file_1.txt embyserver_1_file_2.txt embyserver_1_file_2_v2.txt embyserver_2_file_1.txt embyserver_2_file_2.txt

[Darkel_91 2]

On 7/13/2025 at 6:32 PM, visproduction said:

Darkel,

Have a close look at the files that don't work.  You can run them through a file check.  Full ffmpeg install, mp4box or MKVtools, I think even VLC can troubleshoot, but their interface is often too layered.  Maybe some of the problem files have excessive subtitles in graphic form, timeline issues, sometimes even where the timeline data appears.  It should be always near the top of the file, but sometimes it is at the end. 

Hi visproduction,

I think you either didn't read the whole story, ot you didn't get the problem. It's not about the files, they are fine and guys from Emby checked them. They also work perfectly well on Jellyfin, and on other devices with same Emby server. So clearly it's not the files.

[SamES 1056]

2 hours ago, Darkel_91 said:

Yes, here you are

embyserver_1 - is the first instance that I had from the very start

• File_1 here starts at 2025-07-16 11:49:03.242. You will see few tries with DirectPlay (no luck still) and a few with transcoding (worked well just like the last time)
• File_2 here starts at 2025-07-16 12:45:03.930. No luck with this one, did not try transcoding.

embyserver_2 - is the new instance where I managed to launch same files

• File_1 - starts at 2025-07-16 12:32:54.149, played well with DirectPlay, I also tried changing audio track - no problems with that.
• File_2 - starts at 2025-07-16 12:37:50.896, played well with DirectPlay

The thing I should also mention - when I left my last message, it was just as I described in that one. When I came back today to get some logs - I discovered that on server_2 the files won't launch either! So I reset the server by deleting all the data and got it to run both file_1 and file_2 and got both files working on server_2 again (but who knows how long that will last).

Another weird thing is that file_2 does work sometimes on server_1, but not always. As I was trying and testing there were cases where it would launch. Logs for that are in embyserver_1_file_2_v2 file, i guess you want to be looking at 2025-07-16 12:59:15.836 (it did play here) and 2025-07-16 13:01:06.312 (did not play here). between those i also tried to launch file_1 (2025-07-16 12:59:46.532, no luck), maybe that influenced file_2 somehow....

That's all too weird. I hope just hope you managed to understand what I'm saying here haha

embyserver_1_file_1.txt 1.23 MB · 0 downloads embyserver_1_file_2.txt 237.74 kB · 0 downloads embyserver_1_file_2_v2.txt 1.13 MB · 0 downloads embyserver_2_file_1.txt 1.07 MB · 0 downloads embyserver_2_file_2.txt 112.39 kB · 0 downloads

Thanks

Can you please

• Attach the media info for the examples
• confirm if any files direct play, or is it just a few examples that have issues
•  confirm it the server is local or remote
•  are you using a reverse proxy
•  are you trying to connect the app to the server using https

 

[Darkel_91 2]

Ok, I think i stumbled on a breakthough in this case. It has something to do with selected audiotrack when starting the playback.

When I start File_1 with track1 (default, Ukrainian, AC3) it will play perfectly well, even if I change the track. If start it with the track2 (English, DTS 5.1) - it won't play even if I change the track back to default one.

Similar results with File_2 - it starts well with track1 and track2 (which are Ukrainian AC3) and won't start with track3 (English, AAC). And again, changing track after start won't make a difference - it will play any track if already playing well, and it won't play if the "wrong" track was chosen at the start.

File_1 was tested and both servers and the result is the same, FIle_2 - only on server_1 (the one I has issues with from the start). Logs are attached.

I also tested some other files, and looks like the issue may be connected to some settings during ripping, because some other files that used AAC and DTS5.1 played fine if corresponding track were selected. But still, even these files with allegedly badly ripped tracks CAN play, if I chose different track instead at start and switch to the "bad" one later. And they CAN play normally on other devices with the "bad" track selected from the start.

 

As for your questions:

• Attach the media info for the examples
  • in attachment. if needed, I can share the very files.
• confirm if any files direct play, or is it just a few examples that have issues
  • no, not all the files have issues. Some (I would say most) play perfectly well. Moreover, these problematic files play well on other devices from the same server, it's only LG TV client that has issues with them
•  confirm it the server is local or remote
  • on the TV I'm connected via LAN but remote was enabled on server_2
•  are you using a reverse proxy
  • at the time of recent testing server_2 was forwarded to a remote proxy, but it was not used for local connection. Server_1 (the one that has more issues) is not using reverse proxy.
•  are you trying to connect the app to the server using https
  • Server_2 was forwarded to a remote proxy that had SSL certificates and HTTPS set up, but the connection was local.

For now server_2 seems to work well, I am yet to find a file it cannot play.

embyserver_1_file_1_audiotrack.txt embyserver_1_file_2_audiotrack.txt embyserver_2_file_1_audiotrack.txt

[SamES 1056]

Sounds like you're narrowing it down. Can you try doing a test using the local server and a plain http connection?  You might have to change the server setting briefly to allow plain http.

Are there any ffmpeg logs for these playback tests?

In your two images for file_1 and file_2 I can only see one audio track for each.  Can you provide the full media info?

But it does sound like there might be some issues with these files.

 

[Darkel_91 2]

6 hours ago, SamES said:

Sounds like you're narrowing it down. Can you try doing a test using the local server and a plain http connection?  You might have to change the server setting briefly to allow plain http.

Logs that I sent form server_2 ARE local and using http

 

6 hours ago, SamES said:

Are there any ffmpeg logs for these playback tests?

no, they are only generated if I switch from DirectPlay-Auto to limiting quality.

6 hours ago, SamES said:

In your two images for file_1 and file_2 I can only see one audio track for each.  Can you provide the full media info?

[visproduction 315]

10 hours ago, Darkel_91 said:

When I start File_1 with track1 (default, Ukrainian, AC3) it will play perfectly well, even if I change the track. If start it with the track2 (English, DTS 5.1) - it won't play even if I change the track back to default one.

DTS audio, I believe, needs a license to convert.  I am not sure of the status of how that is handled.  I just avoid it because it never plays on my setup for any playback, computer, mobile or TV.  Some software can remove this audio track without having to remux anything else, so the copy over 2 hour 1080P media to a new version without the audio takes, perhaps, 2 minutes on a slow workstation. I think that is the easiest answer.  I know everyone wants things to work automatically.  Online social media services all make sure their content works for everyone.  I don't think you will find DTS audio available anywhere on professional sites for streaming.

[SamES 1056]

It's not a DTS issue, that model TV still supports DTS.

@Darkel_91, thanks for the media info. Can you please also copy the media info block that is at the bottom of the details page for those movies on the server. I'd like to confirm how the server is actually detecting this as well. I mean in the format below, just be sure to scroll across if required to get all the streams.  You may need to do multiple screenshots to get it all.

 

Just to clarify, you have 2 servers and 1 TV you are using for testing.  Server 2 has no issues with any files, but server 1 has issues with some files that work fine on server 2.  Is that correct?

[Darkel_91 2]

20 hours ago, SamES said:

Just to clarify, you have 2 servers and 1 TV you are using for testing.  Server 2 has no issues with any files, but server 1 has issues with some files that work fine on server 2.  Is that correct?

No. Both servers have problems with the same files when the track is set to DTS 5.1 or AAC when you press PLAY.

But both servers play the same files just fine if another audio track (in my cases - AC3) is set when you press PLAY. And after that you can change to DTS 5.1 or AAC and the file WILL play just fine, it's only about what is set when pressing PLAY.

And this is only true for LG TV. All my other devices play the same files ok regardless of the track selected.

Screenshots are attached.

 

[visproduction 315]

1. Is there perhaps a problem in selecting 2nd or 3rd audio in multi audio media. 
2. What is suppose to happen when the users selects an alternate audio, during playback? 
3. Is the current media playback, suppose to stop completely, lock in the alternate audio and then start over again from on the same second on the timeline? 
4. Is there any delay in doing this audio switch? 
5. Does a new check for the video / audio combination need to be run to see if direct play can still work with the new audio codec? 
6. Would checking for that, cause a delay? 
7. HEVC video often needs transcoding to play back. Is Breaking Bad HEVC video playing back directly?

I suppose you can see all this in the logs.  I'm just listing some things to look at?  I would guess having multiple audio tracks contributes to this.  What do the logs show?  I am not taking the time today to look at them.  If you can't see from the logs, maybe remuxing the video with one audio track each, so you get 3 versions of the media.  I wonder, would one these not play back?  Can there be timeline data errors inside an audio track that do not show up with you test the file?  Can other software handle the audo switching better or fix audio timeline defects?   I don't see another way to narrow this down.  If you keep trying to get 3 embedded audio tracks to work, without separating them out, how do you ever find out which is causing the problem?

Edited July 18, 2025 by visproduction

[SamES 1056]

5 hours ago, Darkel_91 said:

No. Both servers have problems with the same files when the track is set to DTS 5.1 or AAC when you press PLAY.

OK thanks, so I presume you found this not to be the case based on your previous comment.

On 17/07/2025 at 16:59, Darkel_91 said:

For now server_2 seems to work well, I am yet to find a file it cannot play.

Let me test something tonight. 

if you select a secondary ac3 track before playback, does it work fine?

[Darkel_91 2]

Quote

Quote OK thanks, so I presume you found this not to be the case based on your previous comment. 

 

  Yes, looks like results are the same every time. I didn't pay attention to the track at first, that's why it looked random. But now there is a clear pattern.

 

Quote

Let me test something tonight.  if you select a secondary ac3 track before playback, does it work fine?

 

  Yes, secondary AC3 works fine too. And again, i can switch to AAC during playback and it will play that track just fine. 

[visproduction 315]

I hope your testing works.  I just want to mention that MKVtools allows you to select one audio and make a copy media file.  You are not reencoding, so it takes all of about 1 minute to make a new test file with the one audio.  My idea was make 3 files, each with a different audio and then test those.  Anyway, hope that helps.

[SamES 1056]

On 19/07/2025 at 05:31, Darkel_91 said:

No. Both servers have problems with the same files when the track is set to DTS 5.1 or AAC when you press PLAY.

But both servers play the same files just fine if another audio track (in my cases - AC3) is set when you press PLAY. And after that you can change to DTS 5.1 or AAC and the file WILL play just fine, it's only about what is set when pressing PLAY.

And this is only true for LG TV. All my other devices play the same files ok regardless of the track selected.

Screenshots are attached.

 

I've really run out of things to try.  It works fine on all my models, and nothing I've tried can reproduce this issue.  The fact that it works when you switch tracks during playback is positive, I just don't know why it doesn't work when you commence playback.

If you try toggle pause/play after you start, does it start playback? I wonder if it's just stuck in a paused state?