Playback not as smooth when playing 4K Remux films compared to NFS

[RHStonks]

Hi, I'm running the latest version of PlexMod 0.7.2 on Kodi 21 Omega beta 2 using Homatics Box R 4K Plus and I'm noticing playback is not smooth on 4K Remux films compared to NFS. There seems to be pauses in the video but no buffering circle has appeared. Playback using the official Plex app or NFS is fine.

The PlexMod settings that I'm using: Kodi buffer size - 512MB (Max setting) Kodi Cache Readfactor - 50 (Max setting)

The Kodi Caching settings that I'm using under Kodi -> Settings -> Services -> Caching: Buffer mode: Buffer all filesystems, including local files Memory Size: 512MB Read Factor: 50x (Max Setting) Chunk Size: 1MB

[pannal]

Good god, please read the descriptions of the cache settings in PM4K :D

Use ~100MB for the cache size and 1.5 for the readfactor (in Kodi Omega beta 2). Otherwise the new buffer handling will lead to freezes and we pin your CPU.

[pannal]

PM4K should give you a recommended setting for the readfactor - it should say 1.5-4 for your Kodi version, does it? (Not sure which exact Kodi commit you're on)

[pannal]

You might also be running into other issues that should be fixed with 0.7.3, but that readfactor is crazy

[RHStonks]

I couldn't set the Kodi Cache size to 100MB so I've set it to 96MB which was the closest to 100MB with a read factor of 1.5.

Still experiencing the same issue with 4K Remux films where playback is not smooth and experiencing pauses in the video (no buffering circle).

No issues with playback on NFS. Any reason why that might be the case?

[pannal]

Maybe, it's a completely different stream compared to NFS - we're using the DirectPlay streaming endpoint of the Plex Server (via HTTP/HTTPS).

[pannal]

You can try to see whether using Kodi stable (20) changes this (then you'll need readfactor 5 at least). You can also post your PM4K DEBUG logs, maybe I can find something obvious.

[pannal]

There's possibly someone with a similar issue. Can you try going back to 0.7.1-rev4 to see whether the issue goes away?

[RHStonks]

Still the same issue with 4K Remux films with 0.7.1 rev 4.

I can send debug logs to you. How do I enable and where do I view and send them to you?

[pannal]

Oh, interesting. You can just enable them in the addon settings (ideally externally by holding SELECT on the addon icon, settings), then send me your Kodi log.

[RHStonks]

I've enabled Debug Logging on the Plex addon. Where do I go now?

[pannal]

Well, you reproduce your issues and then navigate to where your kodi.log is, and post that. https://kodi.wiki/view/Log_file

[RHStonks]

If I enable Debug Logging on Plex addon settings do I also need to enable debug logging under Kodi -> settings -> systen -> logging?

[pannal]

AFAIK not, no. Only if you want to show the Kodi player internal logs. Shouldn't hurt, though.

[RHStonks]

AFAIK not, no. Only if you want to show the Kodi player internal logs. Shouldn't hurt, though.

I have a Kodi log link. Is it possible to email you the Kodi log link instead?

[pannal]

Better would be for me to DM it to me in the Plex forum.

[pannal]

Thanks for the log. The only thing I can see is a Kodi warning CVideoPlayerAudio::Process - stream stalled during playback, which is probably what you're experiencing.

That might be an indication for the Plex server not being able to send the data in a timely fashion (remember, it's sent via HTTP stream); check the Plex Server DEBUG log for issues.

Or, more likely, the way Kodi handles streams on your particular TV box. Remember: Once we're handing off the stream URL to the Kodi player, it's out of our hands. PM4K doesn't handle playback, it's "just" a massive UI in a nutshell (not completely true, but for this situation it is).

There's many references to this: https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/solved-cvideoplayeraudio-process-stream-stalled/1071 https://discourse.osmc.tv/t/cvideoplayeraudio-process-stream-stalled/90691 https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=341038 https://github.com/croneter/PlexKodiConnect/issues/1113

Nothing I can really help with.

[RHStonks]

Just reading that first link mentions that CoreELEC have increase the dynamic buffer so I may have to try a CoreELEC version instead to see if the issue resolves.

[pannal]

What are you using currently? The fix mentioned in the first link might just work for your box as well.

[RHStonks]

Homatics Box R 4K Plus using the Kodi 21 Omega Beta 2

[pannal]

Yes but what kind of operating system/Kodi build does it use?

[RHStonks]

Yes but what kind of operating system/Kodi build does it use?

Android TV 12 beta

[pannal]

And what kind of Kodi are you running? Is there an option for you to run coreelec?

Android has its own issues.

[RHStonks]

Just running the quietvoid Kodi 21 Omega Beta 2.

My box can run CoreELEC but I don't have a spare USB I can use. Will have to buy one.

I had a look at the first link that you mentioned and I have to setup System.Exec(exec) but I've been looking online on trying to find a simple guide on setting it up on Android but the instructions aren't clear on how to do it.

[pannal]

I can't help you any further I'm afraid. I'm using Kodi on Windows to develop and an NVIDIA SHIELD daily. Never touched Coreelec/Libreelec.

[RHStonks]

I was able to buy a USB and install CoreELEC and this problem has been fixed. No issues with playing 4K Remux files on PlexMod using CoreELEC.