Some time several months ago at least, the plex bitrate and resolution used to match the what my transcoder was outputting. (e.g. 3mbit 720p plex selection actually transcoded/output at 1280x720 @ 3000k)
However, somewhere along the way though something changed and I currently get nowhere near the transcoding settings that I choose.
Server info:
Linux nick-services 4.10.17-1-pve #1 SMP PVE 4.10.17-16 (Tue, 11 Jul 2017 09:55:44 +0200) x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 14.04.5 LTS
Release: 14.04
Codename: trusty
Plex Version:
Version 1.7.5.4035
Plex settings vs actual results on an example file:
Plex Setting=8mbit 1080p, (Actual Output=1920x1080 @ 7393k)
Plex Setting=4mbit 720p, (Actual Output=1280x720 @ 3676k)
Plex Setting=3mbit 720p, (Actual Output=720x406 @ 1891k)
Plex Setting=2mbit 720p, (Actual Output=720x406 @ 1724k)
Plex Setting=1.5mbit 480p, (Actual Output=720x406 @ 1290k)
Plex Setting=720kbit, (Actual Output=570x320 @ 573k)
Plex Setting=320kbit, (Actual Output=320x180 @ 196k)
Transcoder output:
8mbit:
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=1920:h=1080,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 23 -maxrate:0 7393k -bufsize:0 14786k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=2:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 109k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/9dxnk45gk6bnkbs6dk6aur41/11d10877-74f2-43e8-8c6e-988848fb25ad/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/9dxnk45gk6bnkbs6dk6aur41/11d10877-74f2-43e8-8c6e-988848fb25ad/progress
4mbit:
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=1280:h=720,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 23 -maxrate:0 3676k -bufsize:0 7352k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=2:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 119k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/d0fjg1lff2d18ip3jo45kxja/73103349-6dbc-4116-add8-746590a8e173/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/d0fjg1lff2d18ip3jo45kxja/73103349-6dbc-4116-add8-746590a8e173/progress
3mbit:
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=720:h=406,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 18 -maxrate:0 1891k -bufsize:0 3782k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=6:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 217k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/vx356ec0vnrm8nt9us6sh5m4/21f5f6bb-26f5-49e8-b437-607eace88247/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/vx356ec0vnrm8nt9us6sh5m4/21f5f6bb-26f5-49e8-b437-607eace88247/progress
2mbit:
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=720:h=406,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 21 -maxrate:0 1724k -bufsize:0 3448k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=6:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 162k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/gk70inridw8ivmxpeu09ufvj/f079cd03-8173-4f75-a063-3f7de1dcb0a0/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/gk70inridw8ivmxpeu09ufvj/f079cd03-8173-4f75-a063-3f7de1dcb0a0/progress
1.5mbit:
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=720:h=406,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 22 -maxrate:0 1290k -bufsize:0 2580k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=6:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 128k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/xo1sxfe8dbi8b933kajcok82/4632a3df-797d-48c8-a785-ac93030c2150/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/xo1sxfe8dbi8b933kajcok82/4632a3df-797d-48c8-a785-ac93030c2150/progress
720k
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=570:h=320,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 24 -maxrate:0 573k -bufsize:0 1146k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=6:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 99k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/n7oiusr4h6lfrudm4rm40m17/d0fed0dd-770e-4538-bf1e-ee33ac400579/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/n7oiusr4h6lfrudm4rm40m17/d0fed0dd-770e-4538-bf1e-ee33ac400579/progress
320k
/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -i myfile.mkv -filter_complex [0:0]scale=w=320:h=180,format=pix_fmts=yuv420p|nv12[0] -map [0] -metadata:s:0 language=eng -codec:0 libx264 -crf:0 24 -maxrate:0 196k -bufsize:0 392k -r:0 23.975999999999999 -preset:0 slow -x264opts:0 subme=6:me_range=4:rc_lookahead=10:me=hex:8x8dct=1 -map 0:1 -metadata:s:1 language=eng -codec:1 aac -ar:1 48000 -channel_layout:1 stereo -b:1 106k -f segment -segment_format matroska -segment_format_options live=1 -segment_time 1 -segment_header_filename header -segment_start_number 0 -segment_list http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/raefxfnl7ihkguivrylzrryx/150376ee-0f58-44fb-976f-b2700d7e1391/seglist -segment_list_type csv -segment_list_size 2147483647 -avoid_negative_ts disabled -map_metadata -1 -map_chapters -1 chunk-%05d -start_at_zero -copyts -y -nostats -loglevel quiet -loglevel_plex error -progressurl http://127.0.0.1:32400/video/:/transcode/session/raefxfnl7ihkguivrylzrryx/150376ee-0f58-44fb-976f-b2700d7e1391/progress
Plex XML info for sample file:
Media
Video Resolution 1080p
Duration 59:17
Bitrate 9585 kbps
Width 1920
Height 1080
Aspect Ratio 1.78
Container MKV
Video Frame Rate 24p
Video Profile high
Part
Duration 59:17
File myfile.mkv
Size 3.97 GB
Container MKV
Video Profile high
Codec H264
Bitrate 8945 kbps
Language English
Bit Depth 8
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Frame Rate 23.976 fps
Height 1080
Level 4.1
Profile high
Ref Frames 4
Scan Type progressive
Here is the transcoder log I get when selecting to stream at 3mbit 720p.
Plex Transcoder Statistics.log:
<SessionReport version="1" startTime="0" startTimestamp="Jul 31, 2017 14:06:54.855" key="/library/metadata/14941" session="51kaswwtoji0alrzkqzvkst8" transcode="0cg3c1gbv3cumtda8lrj3ul0"> <User id="1" thumb="https://plex.tv/users/00205b831b5bfc58/avatar?c=1501527893" title="SirMaster" /> <Player address="" device="Windows" machineIdentifier="" model="" platform="Chrome" platformVersion="61.0" product="Plex Web" remotePublicAddress="" state="" title="Plex Web (Chrome)" vendor="" version="3.14.1" local="0" userID="1" /> <Variants> <Variant id="9eb6011f-2380-4f08-82e9-c38635b1365d" targetBitrate="2214" context="streaming" sourceVideoCodec="h264" sourceAudioCodec="ac3" videoDecision="transcode" audioDecision="transcode" protocol="http" container="mkv" videoCodec="h264" audioCodec="aac" audioChannels="2" transcodeHwRequested="0" transcodeHwFullPipeline="0"> <Media id="14384" videoProfile="high" audioChannels="2" audioCodec="aac" bitrate="2108" container="mkv" duration="3557600" height="406" videoCodec="h264" videoFrameRate="24p" videoResolution="SD" width="720" selected="1"> <Part deepAnalysisVersion="2" id="14500" requiredBandwidths="45849,29823,18388,18388,18388,18388,18388,18388" videoProfile="high" bitrate="2108" container="mkv" duration="3557600" height="406" width="720" decision="transcode" selected="1"> <Stream bitrate="1891" codec="h264" default="1" frameRate="23.975999999999999" height="406" id="41316" language="English" languageCode="eng" requiredBandwidths="45209,29185,17872,17872,17872,17872,17872,17872" streamType="1" width="720" decision="transcode" /> <Stream bitrate="217" bitrateMode="cbr" channels="2" codec="aac" default="1" id="41317" language="English" languageCode="eng" requiredBandwidths="640,640,640,640,640,640,640,640" selected="1" streamType="2" decision="transcode" />
Why is the targetBitrate="2214"? Why is it selecting height="406" videoResolution="SD" width="720"?
I feel like this issue maybe started when the Streaming Brain was added, but I cannot be completely sure. However I do not have a plexpass, so I don't have the Streaming Brain anyways.
Anyway, all I am looking for here is to get my Plex streaming back to the correct resolution and bitrates that I select, since the quality looks absolutely terrible right now when I am getting less than 480p when I have 2 or 3 mbit selected when it used to be 720p.
I did try a complete uninstall/reinstall, new library, rescanned all my media and that did not change anything.
Thanks