Plex Media Server

[mv]

Hello All, 

I have recently dove into creating a HTPC setup using Plex because I am really tired of digging through DVD and BD cases. All of my viewing rooms are either smart TVs, or have some sort of streaming device connected to them. My real concern is that when I am ripping my DVD's to the server, then playing them back on the TVs, the quality seems to be sub-par. I am ripping the entire disk to MKV, and playing them from there, which should technically be lossless. Space isn't an issue because I am only converting my top tier movies to digital. I have a decent spec'd server, Intel Xeon 2200, 3.3ghz Quad core with 16GB RAM and GTX560 2GB video card. I am using Ubuntu 16.04LTS for the OS, so I know it isn't the op system causing a resource bottleneck. 

Maybe it's because I am used to seeing the DVD's upscaled that it seems that the quality is lagging? If anyone has any experience with this, please let me know. Also, I am not married to Plex, so would Kodi be a better option?

Thanks in advance. 

[Loop 7]

I've been using PLEX since 2009 and viewing transcoded physical media in various rooms.

A few factors can be in play here. First thing I would check is the transcoding and playback quality settings in PLEX via each client. I currently use a Roku and an Apple TV current generation. Also, how does the media look when you play it on a computer display in VLC or another app?

Are you using Handbrake or another app to transcode media?

Anyway, I'm sure others will chime in but fee free to PM me in case you want to dive super deep.

[bluemeanies]

I know absolutely nothing about building a good media server for standard dvd'd and blu-ray except that blu-rays take up a lot of space. Wish I could help.
If there was someone to recommend, if there was a name to drop it would BOOM. Boom seems to be well informed on a lot of things.
The quality of video playback for me could be no less than the Oppo 93 or better.

Sorry I could not help
Good luck in your quest

[mv]

I am not transcoding the media with anything, just playing the straight MKV files. I know that this is a problem with some of the different playback devices, but with my Vizio smart TV, and my PS4, they play correctly. I tried to transcode one of the files with handbrake in the high profile setting, keeping quality to a maximum and using h.264, but it still turned out lacking. I am kind of at a loss, but I will keep pounding on it to see if it can improve.

[cburbs]

How are you playing them back on the TVs?

Also you mentioned - DVD's upscaled - are you talking dvds upscaled with like an oppo? If so than yes can't compare you would need to run something with Madvr which can upscale with the right setup.

Also like mentioned above - playback quality settings in PLEX via each client as well as playback settings on the server side.

Start by looking at this - support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/sections/200076783-Direct-Play-Direct-Stream-Transcoding

I use Makemkv, handbrake for conversions. I don't seem to see this type of issue with playback in Plex, Emby, Kodi, MPC-HC/Madvr.

32" TV/Roku 3 w/ emby/plex playback.

46" lcd TV /Roku w/ emby/plex playback.

55" lcd tv HTPC MPC-HC/Madvr or Nvidia Shield Plex/Emby/Kodi.

All wired network.