OPUS audio codec playback is broken in newer versions

[John45649684897 2]

Hi, Emby has sudenly started to transcode video files that use OPUS audio codec although it can be played perfectly fine by my Samsung TV (tried by playing the same file of USB). This was not an issue in older versions.

Samsung model number: S90C
Samsung firmware version: 2032

Samsung Emby client version: 2.1.0 (also tried by manually updating to latest version: 2.1.4)
Emby server version: 4.8.8.0 (Synology NAS; I also tried version 4.8.11.0 by manually installing it)

I include an example media info

 

EDIT:
I also tried to manually install an older(?) version of the app by downloading this file: https://github.com/MediaBrowser/Emby.Releases/blob/4.8.11.0/tizen/tizen.zip but it refused, something about application validity time expired...

EDIT2:
Even the latest version of Emby app, 2.1.4 has the same issue, I've updated it manually.

Edited July 31, 2025 by John45649684897
new findings

[Luke 42077]

 

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

 

[SamES 1056]

1 hour ago, John45649684897 said:

Hi, Emby has sudenly started to transcode video files that use OPUS audio codec although it can be played perfectly fine by my Samsung TV (tried by playing the same file of USB). This was not an issue in older versions.

 

Hi, this was a recent change as we have had various OPUS issues reported across both old and new models, and there is a lack of consistency in the issues.  Some work fine initially, then go out of sync or silent when skipping or resuming.  We see this issue on both Samsung and LG platforms.  It was eventually decided that this was not manageable and not providing the best experience, and that OPUS doesn't appear to be well supported on these TV's, so we made the decision to always convert OPUS audio.

[FrostByte 5392]

4 hours ago, SamES said:

Hi, this was a recent change as we have had various OPUS issues reported across both old and new models, and there is a lack of consistency in the issues.  Some work fine initially, then go out of sync or silent when skipping or resuming.  We see this issue on both Samsung and LG platforms.  It was eventually decided that this was not manageable and not providing the best experience, and that OPUS doesn't appear to be well supported on these TV's, so we made the decision to always convert OPUS audio.

@SamES Just wondering that now that there is a new toggle section for some video codec transcoding options in the playback settings if Opus could be added to that section also.  The only reason I would suggest this is because Opus is listed as being supported by Samsung in every chart which I've checked going back to the 2018 models.  I think they felt bad and added Opus when DTS was removed that year.

Otherwise, it makes total sense to just transcode if not listed.  Maybe just display the option for models >= 2018 only?

[SamES 1056]

8 hours ago, FrostByte said:

@SamES Just wondering that now that there is a new toggle section for some video codec transcoding options in the playback settings if Opus could be added to that section also.  The only reason I would suggest this is because Opus is listed as being supported by Samsung in every chart which I've checked going back to the 2018 models.  I think they felt bad and added Opus when DTS was removed that year.

Otherwise, it makes total sense to just transcode if not listed.  Maybe just display the option for models >= 2018 only?

I suppose it's up to @Lukeif he wants to add an option for Opus. The problem is that even on models where it is listed as supported, we saw a lot on inconsistencies in performance, and even files that worked on one year/model wouldn't work on the next.  Sounds crazy, but I guess they've given opus little attention.

[John45649684897 2]

I can confirm that OPUS is working fine, Samsung fixed it one of the recent firmware updates, I'm pretty sure I was able to watch videos with OPUS audio for at least a year now.

Can the app get the firmware version that is installed and based on that enable OPUS?

If not, a toggleable option in Emby client app would also be okay, something like "Enable OPUS" 

[SamES 1056]

On 01/08/2025 at 22:13, John45649684897 said:

I can confirm that OPUS is working fine, Samsung fixed it one of the recent firmware updates,

I'm not sure what you mean by this. Fixed what in a recent firmware update? Opus has been an issue across many year/models for quite some time, and there has been a variety of issues.

[John45649684897 2]

They fixed OPUS audio codec playback issues, at least for my model - S90C, I can't speak for other models of Samsung TVs or from other manufacturers. So, why not let users decide whether they want to enable OPUS or not by having a toggle-able option (maybe with a notice that it might not work) instead of outright disabling it for all Samsung/LG TVs ?

[FrostByte 5392]

Agree, since OPUS is on the supported list in the user manual for all models 2018 and newer then Samsung should be working on firmware fixes for those models.  Let the 2018+ user's decide if it's working for now and remove the toggle once they fix it for all models.

[SamES 1056]

@Lukeany thoughts on a Samsung client user setting to enable/disable OPUS DirectPlay?

[Luke 42077]

7 hours ago, SamES said:

@Lukeany thoughts on a Samsung client user setting to enable/disable OPUS DirectPlay?

Yea something to look at.

[John45649684897 2]

Thank you! I look forward for this to be implemented