Transcoding Music To Chromecast Failing

[Rogerha 7]

Hi, I have problem whereby I start to stream a music file to any Google device and after a variable (but less than 1 min) period into the playback - the playback just stops. This doesn't happen with all of my music library, just some of the files. I have attached the server log aembyserver.txtnd transcoding log of a recent attempt to play a file that fails.

ffmpeg-transcode-e092bc42-059b-4d6c-8a4d-2b9e56293a84_1.txt

[Abobader 3464]

Hello Rogerha,

Please wait for someone from staff support or our members to reply to you.

It's recommended to provide more info, as it explain in this thread:

How to Report a Problem

Thank you.

Emby Team

[Carlo 4561]

15 hours ago, Rogerha said:

Hi, I have problem whereby I start to stream a music file to any Google device and after a variable (but less than 1 min) period into the playback - the playback just stops. This doesn't happen with all of my music library, just some of the files. I have attached the server log aembyserver.txtnd transcoding log of a recent attempt to play a file that fails.

ffmpeg-transcode-e092bc42-059b-4d6c-8a4d-2b9e56293a84_1.txt 54.45 kB · 3 downloads

Hi, would you be able to provide us a sample album that causes this issue for you?

[Rogerha 7]

@cayarsSure - This is the actual track that I used for the test in the previously posted logs. Just so you know, the network is sound, I routinely direct play 4k HDR with absolutely no problem at all. Many Thanks.

01 The Lost Song Part 1.m4a

[Carlo 4561]

I can play and cast this song without problems to many different devices on my network.
I don't have any Google specific devices, bub Rokus, Shields, MiBox and Rokus as well as Android Mobile.

What specific device are you having a problem with on this song?

Do you have any other devices or mobile you could test just to help diagnose the issue?

[Rogerha 7]

Works fine casting to my iPad, and my wife’s iPhone. It fails to a Chromecast Ultra, normal Chromecast and a Google Smart Speaker. Just tried it on my Android mobile, and it works absolutely fine. It seems very specific to Chromecast (assuming the smart speakers are in fact Chromecast devices). It is also interesting that it transcodes to a much lower bitrate.... ? Also works absolutely fine playing locally on the server (PC). 
 

The Chromecast ultra is connected to my Amp and is therefore my primary device for streaming music.
 

I hope that helps.

 

 

[Rogerha 7]

I just double checked playback to the Google Home speaker, playback gets about 5-10 seconds further but stops in the same way as the Chromecasts. I just wanted to be sure of what I was telling you in order not to waste your time !

[Carlo 4561]

I think we have enough info for a dev to take a look at this.

@Luke

[Rogerha 7]

@cayars Much appreciated. I moved from Plex to Emby, because Emby just works ! Very happy to help in any way, the product is good !

[Rogerha 7]

@cayars I haven’t heard anything, how long should I reasonably wait for a response ? Thanks.

[Carlo 4561]

It's only been a couple of days and the devs are already working on a current release that's been in private testing.

Once that rolls out we'll be able to look at this.

[Rogerha 7]

@cayars thanks, in which case I won’t chase if you guys have it covered.

[Luke 42080]

Hi, we're looking into this. Thanks for reporting.

[Rogerha 7]

Just an update to this, I have upgraded to an Nvidia shield, the Chromecast Ultra has loads of issues I wasn’t prepared to put up with. Admittedly the Nvidia also has a built in Chromecast but already I am seeing benefit to upgrading. Having said that, the audio streaming is still failing/transcoding to lower quality in the same way, so I am looking forward to that fix ! Thanks.

[Carlo 4561]

This is your thread so if you'd like to go over a Shield audio issue we can do that.
Often times it's just a setting on the Shield (not in Emby) that needs adjusting.

Have you looked at it's audio setup to verify it's correct for your setup?

[Rogerha 7]

Thanks @cayars I have only had the Shield for a few hours and was going to spend some time looking at it today. If you have any advice on how to best set it up for Emby I would be very grateful. It is connected to a Denon AVRX4400H and onwardly to a Sony KD-65AG9. So I think all of the capability is there.......

[Rogerha 7]

@cayars I have had a play around, and getting some great results from adjusting the sound settings on the Shield as you have suggested. Here is the primary finding, I installed the Emby app on the shield and if I play a 4K film with a DTS soundtrack directly from the Shield app, it works absolutely fine - direct play’s with no problem at all. Likewise if I play the music file that is linked to this thread - it works fine, direct plays, doesn’t stop playback - all is perfect.

However if I open the Emby app on my iPad then cast either of the content above to the Shield it transcodes the audio (which causes issues with the video playback)  and in the case of the music file, stops playback after about 30 seconds again.

So it seems when I request the playback from the Shield itself then everything is perfect, if I request from the iPad playback to the Shield then it doesn’t seem to realise it is a Shield and transcodes.....

Any advice would be very welcome.

[Carlo 4561]

Hi, I'd post the issue with the iPad in the proper section of the forum where you'll get help from those who use it (I don't, sorry).

Glad you had a play with the audio settings.  That's the best way IMHO, is just jump in a try it!

If your Shield TV and your Emby Server are on the same network I have one additional suggestion I'd make to SUPER CHARGE this setup, but takes a bit of setup work (well worth it).
That is to setup direct access.

Give this knowledge base article a read which should cover this pretty well.
https://support.emby.media/support/solutions/articles/44002058112-shield-tv-direct-file-access

Let me know if you hit any snags in the setup or need help.

Carlo

[Rogerha 7]

@cayars Thanks very much for your time, I will give Direct Access a try.

[Luke 42080]

Hi, has this helped? Are you still having an issue with this?