Inexpensive hardware that will transcode on the fly

[clarkss12 304]

Been testing different low powered, low cost devices to see how they would perform as a server.  Now, I am looking more deeply for a little more powerful device and still not too expensive.  I do NOT want a power hog for a server, just something simple that will maybe transcode one stream on the fly.  I have 2 different NAS's and an external HD, so I do not need a device with internal storage for my media.

 

Been researching, and have thought about something like this.  Has anyone used one or something similar?  

 

Here is a YouTube video of the device I am looking at.  It is a little more that what I wish to pay, but if it will work, I may just bite the bullet and get one.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9PjR-Rp9jk

[gstuartj 40]

I'm using a little Intel NUC i3 to host my Emby VM, and it's still able to handle transcoding 2-3 HD h264 streams at once. It will do h265 as well, but it is more resource intensive. I got it because I wanted something very low power, and I've been quite pleased with it for household usage.

[CBers 7450]

Surely you should be looking at devices that Direct Stream/Play your media rather than a server that will transcode it ??

 

Transcoding is the least preferred option, as you then need a device powerful enough to do it.

 

I thought everyone would prefer Direct Stream/Play over transcoding.

[clarkss12 304]

Surely you should be looking at devices that Direct Stream/Play your media rather than a server that will transcode it ??

 

Transcoding is the least preferred option, as you then need a device powerful enough to do it.

 

I thought everyone would prefer Direct Stream/Play over transcoding.

EXACTLY!!,  BUT the problem is that when I play a video, it tries to transcode it.  That is what I have been trying to point out, WHY does it transcode instead of Direct Stream.

[clarkss12 304]

I'm using a little Intel NUC i3 to host my Emby VM, and it's still able to handle transcoding 2-3 HD h264 streams at once. It will do h265 as well, but it is more resource intensive. I got it because I wanted something very low power, and I've been quite pleased with it for household usage.

Thanks for that confirmation.  Can you give some details about your device, ram, age, ect......

[MSattler 390]

Surely you should be looking at devices that Direct Stream/Play your media rather than a server that will transcode it ??

 

Transcoding is the least preferred option, as you then need a device powerful enough to do it.

 

I thought everyone would prefer Direct Stream/Play over transcoding.

Agree with CB.

 

The only reason you want want a massive processor is if you have remote users.  I use a i7-6700, just ended up getting a Dell XPS box since they are cheap and it is out of the way.

 

My kids can then watch Emby from their mom's house, and everything transcodes without issue if need be.

[MSattler 390]

EXACTLY!!,  BUT the problem is that when I play a video, it tries to transcode it.  That is what I have been trying to point out, WHY does it transcode instead of Direct Stream.

 

You are gonna need logs.

 

What kind of client is trying to play it back?

 

How is the server connected to the network?

 

How is the client connected to the network?

 

Thanks!

[CBers 7450]

EXACTLY!!, BUT the problem is that when I play a video, it tries to transcode it. That is what I have been trying to point out, WHY does it transcode instead of Direct Stream.

Do as @@MSattler suggests, then we can suggest fixes, possibly

[clarkss12 304]

All my devices are connected via gigabit Ethernet, and all connect via Ethernet switches, not connected directly to the router.  I have a multitude of clients that all are capable of playing all the files that I have.

 

My newest devices are:

 

1. Xiaomi Mi box, running the "official" Android TV OS.

 

2. Zidoo X9S running Android 6.0. (http://www.zidoo.tv/Product/index/model/X9S/target/rRwtRFydZ4xKKmVViAFMcQ%3D%3D.html)

 

3. Mini M8S II 4K Smart TV Box Amlogic S905X, running Android 6.0

 

4. Beelink MiniMX3, Amlogic S905 running Android 6.0

 

All these devices can play my files without any decoding, including Dolby Digital and a few can play HD Audio.

[clarkss12 304]

Do as @@MSattler suggests, then we can suggest fixes, possibly

I have been providing logs.

[CBers 7450]

I have been providing logs.

In the Android TV forums?

 

Does Kodi work OK on them, especially the Mi box?

[clarkss12 304]

Just tested a SD recording using my Tronsmart Ara X5 Windows 10 microPC as my Emby server.  My client is my new Mi box.  The video is "Direct playing", which is playing fine, but no audio.

 

Included the logs.

 

EDIT:  Disregard, the lack of audio was do to my AVR.  Powered down my AVR and now have sound.

 

EDIT 2:  Using the same setup, played a live HD TV stream with 1080i mpeg2 ts formatting.  It is "Direct Playing", so it is playing very well with Dolby Digital audio.

 

EDIT 3:  Played a BlueRay rip of The Green Berets, but it is being transcoded, so constant buffering every 10 seconds.

mediainfo.txt

ffmpeg1log.txt

server log.txt

Edited November 19, 2016 by clarkss12

[CBers 7450]

Which app?

 

If Emby ATV try changing the Audio Output setting.

 

This might be better discussed in the Android forums, especially if you're in the BETA testing team.

[clarkss12 304]

In the Android TV forums?

 

Does Kodi work OK on them, especially the Mi box?

Kodi has not problems playing these videos.

[Happy2Play 9780]

Kodi will play almost anything.  But Android TV OS has limitations.

 

Did you look at the codecs? 

 

  Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (vc1 (native) -> h264 (libx264))
  Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (truehd (native) -> aac (native))

Edited November 19, 2016 by Happy2Play

[MSattler 390]

Kodi has not problems playing these videos.

 

What do you have bitrate set to?  40Mbps?  or Auto?

 

What is the bit rate for the video you are trying to play?

 

Thanks!

[clarkss12 304]

Kodi will play almost anything.  But Android TV OS has limitations.

 

Did you look at the codecs? 

 

  Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (vc1 (native) -> h264 (libx264))

  Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (truehd (native) -> aac (native))

I have 2 options for audio, both are the same, Eng Mono.  No matter which one I pick, Emby still tries to transcode.  Granted other BlueRay rips have direct play, but some no.  

[clarkss12 304]

Using the same setup, Tronsmart Ara Windows 10 MicroPC for server, and Mi Box for the client.  Playing BlueRay rip of " The Lone Ranger", no transcoding, shows "direct streaming".  Under the audio selection, I have 3 options.

1.  Eng Surround 7.1

2.  Eng Surround 5.1

3.  Eng Stereo

 

No matter which one of the 3 I select, my Denon AVR always shows MCH Stereo, and it remains at "direct streaming".

 

Bottom line, that video plays fine.

 

Here is the attached mediainfo, if interested.

[clarkss12 304]

Using the same setup, Tronsmart Ara Windows 10 MicroPC for server, and Mi Box for the client.  Playing BlueRay rip of " The Lone Ranger", no transcoding, shows "direct streaming".  Under the audio selection, I have 3 options.

1.  Eng Surround 7.1

2.  Eng Surround 5.1

3.  Eng Stereo

 

No matter which one of the 3 I select, my Denon AVR always shows MCH Stereo, and it remains at "direct streaming".

 

Bottom line, that video plays fine.

 

Here is the attached mediainfo, if interested.

 

Edit:  forgot to change settings back to passthrough Dolby.  Now it is playing in Dolby Digital.

The Lone Ranger mediainfo.txt

[Happy2Play 9780]

As stated above "Codecs".  Lone Ranger is AVC and DTS.  Can you post the transcoding log for this movie.

[clarkss12 304]

As stated above "Codecs".  Lone Ranger is AVC and DTS.  Can you post the transcoding log for this movie.

The lone Ranger is direct streaming right now.

lone ranger transcoding log.txt

[clarkss12 304]

The lone Ranger is direct streaming right now.

My Denon AVR shows Dolby Digital.

[Happy2Play 9780]

Right because AVC is supported and DTS is not.  If other servers are direct playing then are they using there own player or the same built in player Emby uses?  I don't have any Andriod devices but the limitations like should explain most of your transcoding issues.

 

  Stream #0:0 -> #0:0 (copy)
  Stream #0:2 -> #0:1 (dts (dca) -> ac3 (native))

[clarkss12 304]

The Lone Ranger has been playing perfectly for the last hour with Dolby Digital.  Now I will test on another device.

[Happy2Play 9780]

Your issue is transcoding, if both video and audio tracks need converted, your system just does not have enough power to keep up.

 

As your first ffmpeg log shows transcoding at an average of about 12 fps.  You need above 30 fps to no see these issues.