Xiaomi Smart Projector L1 problems with Android apps

[izzy198888 2]

Hello.

I own a Xiaomi projector that has built in Google TV. I instaled both Emby apps, but they are having problems playing 4k HDR videos. If a video is 4k, or 4k HDR, emby transcodes them. I did try changing settings  4k/200mb/ps, but the videos dont play, and the Android Tv app starts playing only audio and freezes my projector and I have to unplug it from the wall.

The projector is 1080p, but it supports playing 4k videos. Playing 4k hdr videos on Plex, Netflix and every other app works great.

Is there any way around this or should finally move to plex, since it starting to grow on me, and at least it's free.

https://www.mi.com/global/product/xiaomi-smart-projector-l1/specs

[GrimReaper 4739]

2 hours ago, izzy198888 said:

If a video is 4k, or 4k HDR, emby transcodes them.

Post server & ffmpeg logs for those sessions.  

how to report a media playback issue

 

[izzy198888 2]

Evo kolega. Valjda sam dobro poslao.

ffmpeg-transcode-b32b6888-7360-4e61-9133-1888d60fde66_1.txt embyserver-63898934400.txt

[GrimReaper 4739]

1 hour ago, izzy198888 said:

Evo kolega. Valjda sam dobro poslao.

Kolega, valjda jesi, ništa tu drastično ne odskače (ako je to pravi ffmpeg log), playback je išao par minuta i bio transkodiran, detalje ću ti navest niže da ostali mogu pratit:

12 hours ago, izzy198888 said:

The projector is 1080p, but it supports playing 4k videos.

It isn't reported so in the app:

Quote

&MaxWidth=1920

hence transcoding occurs

Quote

&TranscodeReasons=VideoResolutionNotSupported

utilizing your dGPU

Quote

>>>>>>  FindVideoEncoder - MediaType: h264, UseHardwareCodecs: True, HWA-Mode: Automatic
Info    Checking: 'NVENC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - H.264 (AVC)'
Info    Check successful - selecting 'NVENC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - H.264 (AVC)'

>>>>>>  FindVideoDecoder - MediaType: hevc, UseHardwareCodecs: True, HWA-Mode: Automatic
Info    Checking: 'NVDEC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - H.265 (HEVC)'
Info    Check successful - selecting 'NVDEC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - H.265 (HEVC)'

>>>>>>  Processing Plan
        Name                                        CanDoInHW  WillDoInHW  Reason                                                 
        NVDEC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - H.265... >> True       True        Hardware Codec                                          
        VideoInput                               >> True       True        Matching hardware context                               
        Scaling                                  >> True       True                                                                
        ToneMapping (when possible)              >> True       True                                                                
        VideoOutput                              >> True       True        Hardware encoder                                        
        NVENC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 - H.264... >> True       True        Hardware Codec                                          

>>>>>>  Video Processing Steps for [0:0]: H.265 (HEVC)
        Step                    HW-Context   Format       SW-Format           Size   Next
        HEVC                 >> CUDA         cuda         yuv420p10      3840x2076 >> scale_cuda
        scale_cuda           >> CUDA         cuda         yuv420p10      1920x1038 >> setsar
        setsar               >> CUDA         cuda         yuv420p10      1920x1038 >> setparams
        setparams            >> CUDA         cuda         yuv420p10      1920x1038 >> tonemap_cuda
        tonemap_cuda         >> CUDA         cuda         yuv420p        1920x1038 >> setparams
        setparams            >> CUDA         cuda         yuv420p        1920x1038 >> 

 

12 hours ago, izzy198888 said:

the Android Tv app starts playing only audio and freezes my projector and I have to unplug it from the wall.

That session went on for about 7 minutes with server easily keeping up:

Quote

21:24:06.266 elapsed=00:00:04.13 frame= 1324 fps=321 q=6.0 q=-1.0 size=N/A time=00:00:08.63 bitrate=N/A throttle=off speed=2.09x    

21:31:02.601 elapsed=00:07:00.46 frame=144129 fps=343 q=8.0 q=-1.0 size=N/A time=01:39:24.79 bitrate=N/A throttle=off speed=14.2x

so not really sure why'd you get audio only. 

@ebr

Edited November 18, 2025 by GrimReaper

[GrimReaper 4739]

For testing purposes, if you disable transcoding rights for your user under user settings, does it play?

Edit:...in either app? 

Edited November 18, 2025 by GrimReaper
Append

[izzy198888 2]

I tried that. In one Emby app it just tries to open the video and nothing happens. In the other emby app it takes some time, video starts, but only audio and the whole projector freezes. Cannot exit emby or do anything so I have to unplug it from the wall. This is a projector I bought for my daughter, I have no problems on my Philips oled. I also realised that videos don't have any HDR and are trancoded on my S24 Ultra phone. Every other app shows 4k HDR videos.

[GrimReaper 4739]

Just to be clear, as I'm having a bit of trouble following all that:

13 hours ago, izzy198888 said:

If a video is 4k, or 4k HDR, emby transcodes them. I did try changing settings  4k/200mb/ps, but the videos dont play, and the Android Tv app starts playing only audio and freezes my projector and I have to unplug it from the wall.

 

8 minutes ago, izzy198888 said:

I tried that. In one Emby app it just tries to open the video and nothing happens. In the other emby app it takes some time, video starts, but only audio and the whole projector freezes. Cannot exit emby or do anything so I have to unplug i

Those appear to be the same results with and without transcoding? 

To avoid any misunderstanding and be on the same page, could you kindly state:

1) AndroidTV app: results if regular playback attempted (transcoding triggered) / results when transcoding disabled for user

2) Android app: results if regular playback attempted (transcoding triggered) / results when transcoding disabled for user

Thanks

Edited November 18, 2025 by GrimReaper

[izzy198888 2]

No, It's not the same result with and without transcoding.

With transcoding the videos play ok, but they are downscaled to 1080p and no HDR is present since it's tone mapping.

If i turn of transcoding, everything works fine except 4K HDR videos. Once again, they work great in Plex, plays instantly, HDR logo shows up, skipping chapters is also instant. This all on my home network,  i have 2.3gb/ps internet speed.

[GrimReaper 4739]

Just now, izzy198888 said:

With transcoding the videos play ok, but they are downscaled to 1080p and no HDR is present since it's tone mapping.

Thanks, but that couldn't be read from your initial post:

13 hours ago, izzy198888 said:

I instaled both Emby apps, but they are having problems playing 4k HDR videos. If a video is 4k, or 4k HDR, emby transcodes them. I did try changing settings  4k/200mb/ps, but the videos dont play, and the Android Tv app starts playing only audio and freezes my projector and I have to unplug it from the wall.

What I've gathered from that is that transcoded items fail to play, hence was asking for logs. Anyway, reason why they are transcoded is mentioned above, app doesn't report 4K support but 1080p only. 

As for playing directly, are you sure Plex plays them directly, as Plex has the capability to transcode to HEVC retaining HDR layer, have you inspected playback stats to check that item is actually DirectPlayed and not transcoded also? 

[izzy198888 2]

1 minute ago, GrimReaper said:

As for playing directly, are you sure Plex plays them directly, as Plex has the capability to transcode to HEVC retaining HDR layer, have you inspected playback stats to check that item is actually DirectPlayed and not transcoded also? 

I didn't check this. I will test it when I can get my hands on the projector during the day.

If this is the case, It's great that Plex has this option. I suppose Emby doesn't have the option to retain HDR?

1 minute ago, GrimReaper said:

What I've gathered from that is that transcoded items fail to play, hence was asking for logs. Anyway, reason why they are transcoded is mentioned above, app doesn't report 4K support but 1080p only.

Yeah I realized that once I saw emby offers me only 2 reolution options on the projector, 1080p/60 and 1080p/50.

Is there any way to make emby see the projector as 4k capable?

[GrimReaper 4739]

2 minutes ago, izzy198888 said:

I suppose Emby doesn't have the option to retain HDR?

Not at this time, HEVC transcoding is still in the experimental phase so it might get added down the road. 

3 minutes ago, izzy198888 said:

Is there any way to make emby see the projector as 4k capable?

That is the question for the Devs but AFAIK not, as that is provided by underlying system. 

What I think actually happens is that device does not support playing 4K items natively, you'll check that during Plex playback session. Do inform us about the results. Thanks.

[ebr 16169]

4 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

What I think actually happens is that device does not support playing 4K items natively,

Hi.  That appears to be the case from my reading of this as well.  Where does it say it supports 4K?

[Happy2Play 9780]

3 hours ago, ebr said:

Hi.  That appears to be the case from my reading of this as well.  Where does it say it supports 4K?

Not sure what this is suppose to mean show on the overview of device link in post 1 as that is the only mention of 4K I see in the entire overview/specs.  But would appear Emby is doing the right thing transcoding/trying.

Can only guess this may be a what the others are doing as Grim mentioned.

As blocking transcoding shows the device itself does not support the media.

So AI told me this.

So it can downscale but at the same time you still have a HDR/DV issue.

Edited November 18, 2025 by Happy2Play

[Luke 42077]

22 hours ago, izzy198888 said:

The projector is 1080p, but it supports playing 4k videos.

Right but that doesn't mean all 4K, right? There's going to be limits of what it can handle, e.g. hevc profiles, DV profiles, etc.