Crosspost: Emby always chooses Direct Play over Direct Stream

[K22R8CT 25]

Since at least v3.2.33.0 Emby chooses the Direct Play file (when available) even for in network streaming when Direct Stream is possible.

 

I don't think this was the case previously.

My Direct Play files are 720 so I'm losing quality vs the 1080 originals.

If I remove the Direct Play version the original streams (with Direct Stream) as expected.

 

Is this a feature or a bug? Is there any way to disable it?

 

 

[Luke 42083]

Hi, you should think of these two things are the same.

 

Here is the important question - what problem are you experiencing?

[K22R8CT 25]

Ha.

 

The problem is: my library is 1080. I've setup Sync jobs that create 720 (General-Medium/Direct Play) versions of my library files. Using the web client (which I've used since the beginning) I can only play the 720 (General-Medium/Direct Play) version. It's chosen automatically and I can't see a way to choose the 1080 version.

Edited October 24, 2017 by Anon28109

[ebr 16187]

Hi.  Please provide the information in how to report a media playback issue but my guess is that the 1080 versions' bitrates are too high and would end up having to be reduced via transcoding so the system is choosing the lower bitrate versions that can be played without this conversion.

 

What app are you trying to play from?

[K22R8CT 25]

my guess is that the 1080 versions' bitrates are too high and would end up having to be reduced via transcoding

 

If I remove the Direct Play version from my library the original file plays with Direct Stream, i.e. not reduced.

 

What app are you trying to play from?

 

Web client, Safari v11.

 

Please provide the information in how to report a media playback issue

 

Log file attached. File shows:

1. Server startup
2. Attempt to play Direct Stream compatible video (I've confirmed this)
3. Server defaults to lower-quality Direct Play version

server-28973894757.txt

Edited October 25, 2017 by Anon28109

[K22R8CT 25]

After removing the Direct Play version from my library the video is played with Direct Stream. Excerpt from log file attached.

server-excerpt.txt

Edited October 25, 2017 by Anon28109

[K22R8CT 25]

I posted this question to General/Windows. I'm crossposting it here since I'm a subscriber:

https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/52158-emby-always-chooses-direct-play-over-direct-stream/

Edited October 29, 2017 by Anon28109

[Luke 42083]

I will merge the topics so that we can keep all relevant information together. Thanks.

[Luke 42083]

After review I believe it has always been this way, sorry. It has certainly always intended to be this way.

 

We do intend to add the ability to select the version you want to play prior to playback, so that's something you could use to play the one of your preference.

[Luke 42083]

https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/52635-32362-source-selection/

[K22R8CT 25]

This will solve my problem, thanks.

 

I would still suggest tweaking the rank logic for in-network streaming to:

1. Direct Stream
2. Direct Play
3. Transcode

There is no(?) case in which a Direct Play version will be higher quality than a Direct Stream version, and the potential bandwidth savings of Direct Play is not a factor in-network.

 

For out-of-network the current rank logic (Direct Play before Direct Stream) makes sense.

Edited November 7, 2017 by Anon28109

[CBers 7452]

This will solve my problem, thanks.

 

I would still suggest tweaking the rank logic for in-network streaming to:

• Direct Stream
• Direct Play
• Transcode

There is no(?) case in which a Direct Play version will be higher quality than a Direct Stream version, and the potential bandwidth savings of Direct Play is not a factor in-network.

 

For out-of-network the current rank logic (Direct Play before Direct Stream) makes sense.

To my mind, Direct Play should be before Direct Stream, as it would be straight from the source and not via the server.

 

Transcoding/Remuxing should be the last resort for non-Live TV playback.

 

Just saying

[Luke 42083]

I think we have it right as is, but that's where the new controls come into play because now you can easily select.

[FrostByte 5392]

To my mind, Direct Play should be before Direct Stream, as it would be straight from the source and not via the server.

 

Transcoding/Remuxing should be the last resort for non-Live TV playback.

 

Just saying

 

​Agee, DP before DS any day.  I want audio played in its native format without transcoding as long as the device I'm playing it on can do so.  Change defaults or selection if you like transcoding of audio

Edited November 7, 2017 by FrostByte