Transcoding what's should be direct play. 4k very slow

[earlvs13 0]

Hello,

### Description

A 4K file is being transcoded. Starts very slow, constantly hangs. But when transcoding is disabled for the user on the server the playback is flawless. Samsung 4K TV with Tizen.

### Config

#### Client

Samsung model number: QE43Q60T
Samsung firmware version: 1465
Samsung Emby client version: 1.0.93

 

#### Server

Asustor AS5104T

Emby: 4.5.4.0

 

 

 

ffmpeg-transcode-931ce0d1-398d-4b04-87ae-2804c25e7432_1.txt

[SamES 1057]

From the log, TranscodeReasons=VideoLevelNotSupported

Your video level is 5.2.  As per these specs, maximum level for h264 is 5.1

Smart TV - Build | Samsung Developers

Quote

Video Decoder Limitations

• H.264 FHD: Level 4.2 supported (FMO/ASO/RS not supported).

• H.264 UHD: Level 5.1 supported.

Unfortunately transcoding of 4K content will require good server performance.   You can see from the log that conversion speed is only 0.3x the playback speed.  ie: transcoding needs to be 3x faster (at a minimum) for playbeck

09:27:13.598 frame=  244 fps=9.8 q=29.0 size=    2774kB time=00:00:08.24 bitrate=2861.1kbits/s throttle=off speed=0.319x    
09:27:14.225 frame=  250 fps=9.8 q=29.0 size=    2800kB time=00:00:08.45 bitrate=2814.3kbits/s throttle=off speed=0.319x    
09:27:14.867 frame=  256 fps=9.8 q=29.0 size=    2819kB time=00:00:08.66 bitrate=2763.0kbits/s throttle=off speed=0.319x    
09:27:15.826 frame=  261 fps=9.6 q=29.0 size=    2835kB time=00:00:08.82 bitrate=2725.5kbits/s throttle=off speed=0.314x    
09:27:16.358 frame=  266 fps=9.6 q=29.0 size=    2851kB time=00:00:08.98 bitrate=2689.8kbits/s throttle=off speed=0.314x    
09:27:16.941 frame=  268 fps=9.5 q=29.0 size=    2857kB time=00:00:09.05 bitrate=2673.2kbits/s throttle=off speed=0.31x    

Edited March 18, 2021 by SamES

[Happy2Play 9780]

One of those grey areas as you say it works without transcoding, but the manual says it is above supported specs.

[earlvs13 0]

Hi there,

Thanks for reply. Is there workaround, how to turn off transcoding for specified files only? Or may be specified library?

 

Thanks again.

[Happy2Play 9780]

Sorry no as the setting all or none. 

[rbjtech 5284]

Unless this is a 4K 60fps file - there is no need for it to be level 5.2 - 5.1 is perfectly acceptable. (4K @ up to 30 fps)

There is a utility that can change the level without needing a re-encode - let me dig it out.

edit - try here - https://www.videohelp.com/software/H264-AVC-Level-Editor

 

 

Edited March 19, 2021 by rbjtech

[Luke 42077]

@SamES

[SamES 1057]

On 18/03/2021 at 23:46, Happy2Play said:

One of those grey areas as you say it works without transcoding, but the manual says it is above supported specs.

@earlvs13, have you confirmed that it does play correctly without transcoding (ie: from a USB drive connected directly to the TV)