Force transcode of x265

[nine___ 12]

I'm sure this has been asked, but I can't find anything useful.

I'm attempting to play x265 encoded content, but the tablet I'm playing it on can't handle it. Every 10 seconds or so the video pauses for up to 5 seconds while audio continues to play.  Looking at stats for nerds the video is going by "direct play".

I don't want to drop the bit rate to the point I'm watching in 480p.  I want to force the server to transcode it to x264 and stay at the original resolution.

There used to be some setting somewhere where you could set some compatibility level like 4.1, 4.0 etc, but this appears to have disappeared (maybe that was Plex not Emby?). Going to settings just drops me into server settings now.  I do have the option of using an external played like vlc which handles the content fine, but then I can't track the point to which I've watched etc.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thx.

Edited May 22, 2021 by nine___

[pwhodges 2012]

If the client claims to handle it, you can only force transcoding by limiting the bandwidth sufficiently; there is no "force transcoding anyway" flag - this is a limitation in Emby's handling.

Paul

[Luke 42077]

Hi, what tablet and version of android? We do detect hevc support.

[pwhodges 2012]

Is there any granularity in the detection of HEVC support (e.g. 10-bit or not, etc)?  It seems the OP's problem is that the file is being direct played (presumably because the tablet gamely says it can do it), but the tablet's processor can't actually keep up in some instances.

Paul

[Carlo 4560]

It may be able to playback HEVC 8 bit ok but 10 bit can't be done in HW or just not enough muscle to play it back.

For older equipment we really do need to check both.

[nine___ 12]

Ha, sorry, I forgot I posted this.  Anyway, its a samsung galaxy tab 10A (2018 model).  It can handle some x265 ok, but not all.  Android 10.

It would be a nice feature to have (that is, an option to force transcoding, if the device cant handle it, and emby doesnt realise it).

 

The video stream itself from VLC Media Info; HVC1, 1920x1080 24fps 2001kbps [V: hevc main 10 L4.0, yuv420p10le]

I ended watching it on a tv, via chromecast which could handle it.

Edited May 30, 2021 by nine___

[Luke 42077]

Hi, yes more options for control over hevc playback is something we can look at adding. Thanks for the feedback.

[cavalist 1]

I found a solution, it's not perfect though.

Use a external player which is possible on the emby settings.

Some of external players transcode h265 to h264 without setting the quality to lower than the original's.

This worked while emby quality setting is "auto".

There was no status view feature (like stat for nerd) on the external player, but I'm sure when I'm looking the display, it's more clear resolution than that you sets the quality lower than the original to trigger transcoding.

 

cons:

Some external players don't recognize external subtitles from emby and some players do.

Every players I tested couldn't move the playback time.

 

I think the feature to force transcoding of h265 on low performance device is not future-oriented. Maybe this is the reason there is no update for this.

Best solution is to buy new device with fast cpu.

[cavalist 1]

Perfect solution.

emby for web on mobile browser.

mobile browsers don't have h265 codec so it will transcode.

[Luke 42077]

10 hours ago, cavalist said:

Perfect solution.

emby for web on mobile browser.

mobile browsers don't have h265 codec so it will transcode.

Yes that is correct.