why emby keeping transcode av1 not direct play anymore??

[kira yamato 21]

The Emby app keeps transcoding my AV1 video instead of playing it directly, as it used to do. I’m curious to know what I did wrong. 

the dashboard say convert to compatible codec.

emby ipados ver2.2.46

ipad m1(m1 not support av1decode but its can direct play with older emby app version)

its directplay with ip16(support av1) just fine

Edited December 30, 2025 by kira yamato

[Happy2Play 9780]

Please post the server and ffmpeg log for a specific example.

[kira yamato 21]

ffmpeg-transcode-08cf88a8-690c-4eec-b5fc-0d92f63cc805_1.txtembyserver (8).txt

[Happy2Play 9780]

Devs will have to comment further as AV1 is not shown as a supported codec.

&VideoCodec=h264,mpeg2video,hevc

I see the same testing on my iPhone and disabling transcoding fails playback to no compatible stream as my phone does not support AV1 as it is too old.

 

[kira yamato 21]

9 minutes ago, Happy2Play said:

Devs will have to comment further as AV1 is not shown as a supported codec.

&VideoCodec=h264,mpeg2video,hevc

I see the same testing on my iPhone and disabling transcoding fails playback to no compatible stream as my phone does not support AV1 as it is too old.

 

I don’t know why, but somehow, the older version of Emby the AV1 video can still direct play without AV1 hardware decoding. The only devices that support AV1 are the M3 and above, and the A17 Pro above, which were launched in late 2023.

[Happy2Play 9780]

I can only guess something changed with libmpv player then.

[pwhodges 2012]

I also reported this a few weeks ago.  I thought that regressions in behaviour were taken seriously, but it seems not really.

Paul

Edited December 30, 2025 by pwhodges

[Happy2Play 9780]

Per the other topic.

[Luke 42077]

Hi, we might have to make this an option, but most devices that don't support av1 in hardware don't handle it very well with software, so that's the reason for the change.

[kira yamato 21]

9 minutes ago, Luke said:

Hi, we might have to make this an option, but most devices that don't support av1 in hardware don't handle it very well with software, so that's the reason for the change.

For me, the older version works just fine. I don’t really notice any difference. At least, it’s smoother when fast-forwarding than transcode file. 

[Luke 42077]

OK yes an option to control this is certainly possible. Thanks.

[Fch11 3]

On 1/3/2026 at 1:12 PM, Luke said:

OK yes an option to control this is certainly possible. Thanks.

So we’ll be getting an option to allow AV1 direct play? I’m on an iphone 13 mini and it transcodes AV1. Tested plex it can direct play it without issue or extra heat. So emby should be able to support it too?

[pwhodges 2012]

I've just disabled transcoding for my user, as AV1 can play directly on my iPad and in my browser, as well as in the Windows client.  I have a different user for the Roku in any case (for other reasons).

Paul

Edited February 3 by pwhodges

[Luke 42077]

Hi, we’ll take a look at it. Thanks.