Jellyfin tries to direct stream when it should re-encode?

[Swindiff]

I may not understand how this is supposed to work, but I assumed that if a client was not able to direct stream a video the Jellyfin server would automatically re-encode to a format that was compatible.  I have a few family members that use 4k firesticks and they have noticed a few videos where the audio and subtitles are working but the video is just black.  I assume this is a codec issue?  I have managed to fix the issue by lowering the bitrate for their user account below the level of the file in question which forces it to re-encode and the video displays fine then.  Am I missing something in how I need to have this set up so that if the client does not have the required codec it forces the server to re-encode the video?
Cheers

[TheDreadPirate]

Are these videos Dolby Vision? If so, your family members likely have an Amazon Firestick model with a bugged mediatek chipset.

See this post from one of the other moderators.

https://forum.jellyfin.org/t-solved-4k-n...8#pid49898

[Swindiff]

They are indeed. That certainly seems to be the problem we are encountering. Is this just when using exoplayer with Jellyfin? Is there a better extenal player I could get them to install which integrates well with Jellyfin? I read VLC is a bit clunky and when stopping playing does not take the user back to Jellyfin. Thanks again DreadPirate.

[theguymadmax]

That's a great question. I’ve probably tested it on other external players, but I don’t remember the results clearly. I just tried VLC and MX Player—both are not based on Media3 (ExoPlayer)—and encountered the same issues. I’ll need to revise my explanation and mention that it’s likely a device-specific issue. Unless the player has implemented workarounds like Kodi, all players will likely exhibit the same behavior.

[TheDreadPirate]

One option is to convert your videos to HDR10.

https://forum.jellyfin.org/t-converting-...n-to-hdr10

[Swindiff]

I did see that thanks, I think it falls into the category of life is too short lol.

Strange thing is, I dug out an old 4k firestick at home and tested the same file my son was having problems playing. The video played fine, the server just needed to re-encode the DTS audio. I guess mine has a different chipset that does not have this issue?

[TheDreadPirate]

Yes. I believe a particular set of Firestick 4Ks have the bugged mediatek chipset family. While others use some variety of amlogic chipset, which don't have this issue.

The Google TV Streamer also has a mediatek chipset from the same family as the bugged Firesticks and it also has this issue.

[Swindiff]

Am i right in thinking that the newest version of the 4K firestick should not have this issue?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-streamin...C75&sr=8-1

[TheDreadPirate]

AFAICT, the Fire Cube is the only FireOS device that uses an Amlogic SoC. The rest use a Mediatek chipset. All from the same family with the Dolby Vision bug except the latest Firestick HD.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Fire_TV#Models