Auto Select Audio When Transcoding

[njmckenzie96 3]

Wondering if there could be a way for emby to select track 2 in a movie file if the server recognizes that it's transcoding the audio. For me, all my movies have DTS or TrueHD as the first option, and the second option is eac3 or ac3 for more compatibility. When off my network, it would be cool for emby to auto load track 2 as I'm most likely not using a tv with a good Soundsystem or on a phone (would be helpful for family members outside my network so that don't have to select anything). 

I realize it is maybe a small use case and would require a toggle as many users might not want it, or don't have their libraries setup with 2 versions of audio. But for me, I put the work in to have two audio versions so it would be awesome if the server could auto select the 2nd track. 

[ebr 16314]

Hi.  If transcoding, the audio will be converted to AAC or DD anyway.

[njmckenzie96 3]

Well yes, but sometimes the video stream is fine right? But it has to convert audio, or it just brings the Mbps down on the video but leaves the audio. 

Edited December 12, 2025 by njmckenzie96

[Luke 42221]

Hi, we actually already do what you're asking, assuming all other factors are equals.

What I mean by that is, your user audio preferences come first. That is the criteria that is used to determine which track to play. But if two tracks are determined to be equally eligible, then it looks at which one might be able to direct play as a secondary criteria.

Does that answer your question?

[njmckenzie96 3]

Okay thanks for the reply. I'll mess around with it more then! 

[Luke 42221]

I would start by configuring your user audio preferences.

Please let us know what you find. Thanks.

[njmckenzie96 3]

I can't for the life of me get remote streams to select the secondary audio. the moment it transcodes the video to also transcodes the audio. if I manually select the secondary compatible audio, then the server only transcodes the video. so like, it is possible to only do the video, but is there a way for it to look for compatible audio before deciding to transcode the audio? 

Edited 2 hours ago by njmckenzie96

[yocker 1402]

On 12/13/2025 at 6:38 AM, Luke said:

Hi, we actually already do what you're asking, assuming all other factors are equals.

What I mean by that is, your user audio preferences come first. That is the criteria that is used to determine which track to play. But if two tracks are determined to be equally eligible, then it looks at which one might be able to direct play as a secondary criteria.

Does that answer your question?

Agree with njmckenzie96.
If audio gets transcoded i can't get it to choose the compatible track instead.

My fix so far has to be setting to compatible track to default and have people with supporting hardware have to choose the better track them self.