FLAC play bug

[JaneX8]

It seems that flac files stop playing after a few seconds. It doesn't seem to be a problem when I use the Plex app on iOS or Android. But using my AppleTV over PlexConnect it stops after a few seconds and doens't show the playback time correctly.

What debug logs or something can I supply to help fixing this?

[moodyblue]

Help support in the forum only https://forums.plex.tv/tags/plexconnect

[JaneX8]

@moodyblue it's not a support question. It's a bug.

[moodyblue]

I feel more confortable handling this on forum, where I can request support from others if needed. Also forum has higher visibility.

[moodyblue]

PlexConnect and iPad4 both use iOS profile. But FLAC files are transcoded to hls/aac in iPad, and to http/mp3 in PlexConnect. This can be solved, probably, through profile augmentation in PlexConnect. I'll give it a try.

[moodyblue]

One question: FLAC is a lossless codec that needs to be transcoded to ATV3. In theory it should be transcoded to ALAC to preserve quality. But it's faster transcode to AAC. Would this be acceptable ? Most people use lossless codecs to preserve original quality but do not have hi-fi amplifiers (and/or loudspearkers) connected to the ATV to be able to enjoy that full quality.

Transcoding into ALAC may be a problem for Plex users with not so powerfull plex servers. The ultimate solution would be the creation of a new transcoding parameter for FLAC (in music files, or in music tracks of video files), as I've done for Dolby Digital.

I have AAC transcoding of FLAC music working in my home testing environment. I did not test if Plex can transcode into ALAC.

[moodyblue]

Cross referenced to #536 and #298

[moodyblue]

My latest commit fixed the problem if you play just one file. But if you play two or more files what happens is the following:

1. The first file plays for a few seconds
2. Then the 2nd file starts playing (interrupting the 1st one) but timers continue as if it was the 1st file
3. When 2nd file approaches the end the ATV gives an error message

From PMS logs, the transcoder task of the 1st file is killed when PlexConnect asks the following file. Looks like this is a problem with transcoding parameters to avoid the kill.

[JaneX8]

I unfortunately stopped using PlexConnect and AppleTV entirely. But, nice to see you made some progress, well done!