Loading request...
The user wants the ability to request optimizations from the Plex app, as it's frustrating that it's not currently possible.
## EDIT 2: So the summary of the responses has been... (don't read too much into the tone, I'm just being cheeky / having fun, I appreciate all of the responses) 1) don't have content with incompatible encodings (duh) 2) buy something that isn't a Chromecast (thanks, but that wasn't my question) 3) upgrade your plex host (wouldn't that be nice?) 4) it's your wifi/network (it's not) The solution I've decided on, for now, is to write a script that detects when new content is added. It will scan that content to see if it is Chromecast direct stream compatible, if not, it will auto-create an optimized version. Maybe if you're nice, I'll share the script 😄 (I'll definitely share it if I ever get around to it). =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= ## Original post: Our Plex setup and usage is pretty straight forward. I have a Plex box running on an old micro-PC that has a clunky little i5 processor. It has worked fine, for the most part, for over 10 years. However, over time, I've started adding more and more content that seems to be incompatible with direct play/direct stream using Chromecast...which results in more and more transcoding, which this "little PC that couldn't" struggles with. For our house, Chromecast is by far the easiest and most accessible option. Remote controls are annoying and get lost. It's just my girlfriend and I and we both have the Plex app installed on our phones. When one of us wants to play something, we simply look through the app on our phones, pick what we want and then throw it onto whichever TV we're at (bedroom, living room, garage, whatever). However, many times we're stuck staring at a buffering video stream. Which is frustrating because most of the time it's right when we've sat down to eat dinner. I get annoyed and resort to turning on the Xbox, loading the plex app, and playing from there - which takes an annoying amount of time, especially when your food is quickly getting cold 😄 But at least the Xbox seems to have no problem direct playing even 4k content. In the past, before we had the Xbox, I'd have to run to my office and kick off an "optimize for TV" task while we watch something else for 20 minutes. So, I guess I'm just curious...what's the best way to make life easier for streaming with Chromecast? Is the answer to just pre-optimize everything you "might" watch? Obviously, I am due to upgrade my 10 year old micro PC that's probably ready to kick the bucket at any minute now. But that's a financial decision and a lot of work I don't feel like dealing with right now. It would be nice to know what others are doing to make this go a little easier. It's very frustrating that the Plex app does not allow you to request optimizations from the app. And the redesigned app does not seem to let you play a version while casting?? =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= =~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~= ## EDIT 1: Just some updates: * I'm using the Chromecast Ultra 4K. NOT Google TV. There is no UI, or ability to install apps. * I am casting from my phone to the Chromecast. No, this does not stream anything _through_ the phone. There is no double hop streaming going on. I am not screen sharing / mirroring. I'm using the cast feature built into the Plex app. * All devices are connected via Ethernet to the same Eero Mesh Wifi AP - Plex host, Chromecast and Xbox are all on the same switch on the same AP. * I have no intention of buying another device when I already said we have the Xbox which supports direct streaming (as well as direct play). So, unless it's worlds better than using the Xbox, we likely don't need it. The goal for this post was just to see if others using Chromecast had suggestions for making life with Plex+Chromecast a bit better. * The solution I am converging on after going through this post is to just write some sort of PowerShell script to detect newly added content/titles and using FFProbe / FFmpeg to pre-optimize the content myself. This way there's always a Chromecast compatible version for direct streaming.