SOLVED: Successful transcodes in browser, but not on other devices

[tmsrxzar]

I'm not exactly sure why it would transcode when streaming to the browser but not elsewhere, as the Chromecast 4K and my desktop clients do not support AV1.

because the source video is already compatible with the client, PlayMethod=DirectPlay
and because the android-tv app does not have force transcoding settings
that means the client does not request a transcode

transcoding settings on the server only tell the server what it is capable of doing IF THE CLIENT REQUESTS IT

the server cannot force clients to take a transcoded version