4K direct stream issue

[Zeus]

Hi everyone, 

I have a Sony XBR-55X810C (4K SDR). The OS (Android TV) has become slow and really hard to work with so I bought a CCwGT a few months ago and it worked like a charm. I have a Plex media server that I use to watch videos. Before the December update, I was able to watch 4K content on Plex using the CCwGT. HDR content was automatically transcoded to SDR and playback was smooth. After the update, 4K direct stream is laggy. I tried a few things but I can't find a solution. So far, here's what I tried : 

-TV firmware and apps are up to date.

-CCwGT firmware and apps are up to date.

-4K direct stream on Plex on the TV's OS runs smooth.

-4K direct stream on VLC on the TV's OS runs smooth.

-Tried to play the same video on VLC on CCWGT and playback is still laggy.

-Tried to connect CCwGT on different HDMI ports. Didn't help.

-Tried the CCwGT on my newer Sony 4K HDR TV and I get the same results.

-CCwGT is connected to 5G WIFI with perfect signal reception.

-Tried to turn ON/OFF HDMI enhanced format for the HDMI external input used. Didn't help.

Any ideas ? 

Thanks 

[Ashepherdson]

I am curious, can you try the Plex App on the Chromecast with Google TV?  I use this setup myself and have had no issues, unless there is an underlaying Wifi issue of course.  

[Zeus]

Sorry if my initial post wasn't clear enough. That's exactly what my problem is. Plex and VLC (SMB share) are laggy with direct stream 4K content on the CCwGT. This is not a buffering issue as far as I can tell.

If I play the same video on Plex and VLC but on my TV OS, everything is fine. 

[Ashepherdson]

Are the files H265? H264 seems to work fine but H265 has issues for many devices (Shield TV included)

[Zeus]

Yes they are H265 files. I didn't have issues reading them before the last update. 

Here's a side-by-side comparison of my Plex media server dashboard while streaming the same video. You can see that the Plex media server is transcoding probably because the TV is 4K SDR and not HDR. On the BRAVIA 4K, video is playing smoothly. On the Chromecast, video is laggy.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HdgzFZYLFXfFtHfn9 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ysc9gFNJiu9s4aMG9 

[Ashepherdson]

I am wondering if it may be a network issue, looking at this reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/PleX/comments/n3itlb/plex_in_google_tv_chromecast_constantly_stuttering/

Its not your plex server as it works with other OS, its not specifically your wifi as 4K works for other things, so it may be the chromecast itself and how its requesting data.  Do you have a firewall on your plex server that might not like what the chromecast is requesting?

[Zeus]

I don't think so. As I said, everything was working just fine before last update. I didn't touch anything on my router's settings either (Asus AC86U)

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran
 

[Zeus]

I still have the same issue. Still looking for a way to fix this.

Thanks

[Jeran]

Hey there Zeus,

I'm sorry about the slow response time on this, but first, I would check your network settings by using our recommended settings. You'll want to enable: Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), multicast, Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). Then you'll want to disable: AP/client isolation, VPNs, proxy servers, IGMP Proxy.

Then, if that doesn't resolve the issue, I would confirm if the issue is persistent when using the Plex app on the Chromecast, as well as when casting Plex to the Chromecast from another device.

Let me know if that helps out, I look forward to your response!

Best regards,

Jeran

[Zeus]

You mean my router’s network settings or the gcwtv’s network settings ?

[Jeran]

Hey there Zeus,

I am referring to the network settings in particular, as they could affect the functionality of certain apps. Those would be the first thing I would check, then from there, move on to trying the Plex app vs casting Plex from your phone to see if the issue persists.

Best regards,

Jeran

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran
 

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,
Jeran
 

[Zeus]

Well I tried a few things without success. I tried to play with my router's settings and the issue persists. 

Everything is working fine if I use the plex app on my TV. I only get laggy playback using the plex app on the gcwtv (on the same TV)

[Jeran]

Hey there Zeus,

I'm glad to hear you were able to find a workaround by using the same app on your TV instead. It's interesting that the playback is only laggy on the Chromecast with Google TV. It may be worth reaching out to Plex support to see if they are aware of any issues on their end. If they aren't, I would suggest submitting feedback to Google via Google TV.

I'm sorry we couldn't have been more helpful, but if you had any other questions, please let me know.

Best regards,

Jeran

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help?

Thank you,
Jeran
 

[Jeran]

Hey there,

Did you have any more questions or need any additional help? If not, I'll go ahead and lock up this thread in 24 hours.

Just checking up,
Jeran
 

[Jeran]

Hey there!

We haven't heard back from Zeus, and it's been a few days, so I'm locking the thread. As always, feel free to make a new thread if you have any more questions or concerns.

Thank you for your help, Ashepherdson!

Best regards,
Jeran