Hi.
So, after many years of using Plex and being wonderfully happy, without a single hitch that I couldn't fix myself... I'm at the end of my rope here. I've searched all over for an answer, many solutions were found and tried, none succeeded.
The issue is simple: on a large number of 1080p (sometimes even 720) media files, the Plex Transcoder hits my CPU hard for over 600% usage. I've tried using Direct Play, I've tried changing a whole host of settings, I'm pretty sure that whatever someone suggests... I've most likely tried it. This isn't a query about transcoding, I get it, I understand the reasons and the why's. This isn't why Im posting here, my question is simple:
If the same media file that forces my Mac Mini 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 to kick in the Transcoder and punish my CPU with over 600% usage can be played on the same Mac Mini using VLC without driving my CPU through the roof, then why can't Plex? VLC barely gets above 20% when watching the same file, and why is it even transcoding the file in the first place?
My set up is pretty simple. Mac Mini quad core i7 with 16G RAM. The Mini runs the Plex Server as well as the Plex client, so the transcoding is even more bewildering. I just don't get it at all why the Transcoder is even firing up if Direct is selected and the Mac is clearly capable of playing the source file.
O.-