Casting Plex from Android to TV

Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 18:03
Last edited 06/01/2024 - 22:49

Talk about late to the party.

I've just set up and installed Plex on my NAS with the intention to cast movies using the Plex player on my Pixel 7 Pro. The issue I can't overcome is whenever I try to cast from my phone to any of the Chromecasts in my home, Plex seems to hang and continually load.

No issues when I play movies on my phone, only when trying to cast. Is there an issue with casting to Chromecast? I should mention I've tried to cast from a computer also

*Update 06/01/24
So I bought a new CC (4k version), still doesn't stream - constant buffering. I'm putting it down to hardware limitation if the CC as I have figured out Plex works fine streaming directly from the ps5

Computing Plex

Comments

  • spackbace on 02/01/2024 - 18:07

    What quality are you trying to cast? What version of CC (HD, 4K, or old version)?

    • Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 18:58

      It's the old version, gen1 or whatever the first one was

      • spackbace on 02/01/2024 - 20:35

        Whats the video quality?

        • Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 20:39

          Full HD 1080p

          • spackbace on 02/01/2024 - 20:42

            @Jfi2ee: Hmm shouldn't be a hassle, but could be due to the age of the CC

            • Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 20:43

              @spackbace: I've had a look and the CC I have is generation 3

  • JimmyF on 02/01/2024 - 18:20
    +1

    The issue I can't overcome is whenever I try to cast from my phone to any of the Chromecasts in my home, Plex seems to hang and continually load.

    Get one with a remote and you don't need to 'cast' from your phone, it comes with a TV interface to install the apps etc

    https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/google-chr…

    • spackbace on 02/01/2024 - 18:22
      +1

      Depends on quality. If OP is trying to play high-bitrate 4K remuxes, the CC's wifi won't be able to handle it, and a Shield would be more preferable

      • Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 19:05

        I've been looking to replace my CC's with a shield, just waiting on a sale!

        • spackbace on 02/01/2024 - 19:05

          Rare to find it under $280 or so

          If you're grabbing 50GB+ 4K remuxes, just get the Shield and enjoy it!

          • Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 19:12

            @spackbace: Is the $100 difference between the shield and the pro worth it?

            • spackbace on 02/01/2024 - 19:14
              +1

              @Jfi2ee: Depends what you do with it

              I bought the Pro a few years back and haven't looked back since, it just works

  • ode1online on 02/01/2024 - 20:13

    Is the Phone and the Crome cast on the same Wi-Fi network band

    have you tried opening Plex via a chrome web browser on a PC and casting to the Chromecast that way?

  • Jfi2ee on 02/01/2024 - 20:15

    Yeh both on 5Ghz. Yes also tried casting directing to CC via chrome within the Plex web player

  • randomusername2017 on 02/01/2024 - 21:16

    MAC address settings on the phone wifi connection?

    DLNA playback enabled on plex server?

    Does it work if you play the video for a few seconds on the device then cast?

    • Jfi2ee on 03/01/2024 - 08:52

      Yes, yes and I've tried the watching for a while then casting. I really do believe it's something you do with the CC

  • AustriaBargain on 02/01/2024 - 22:52

    Is it transcoding or not? If the Plex app on your phone isn't transcoding then there's a good chance whatever video format the actual file is in is not compatible with your Chromecast.

    • Jfi2ee on 03/01/2024 - 08:51

      I don't believe it's transcoding, I was under the impression transcoding was done by the NAS?

      • Chandler on 03/01/2024 - 11:30

        I was under the impression transcoding was done by the NAS?

        It is - which I believe is why AustriaBargain was asking. Some consumer NAS units aren't flush with compute capacity, so depending on what NAS you have it may be struggling to transcode (if the CC can't play the format you have). Having said that, assuming you've loaded up Plex on the NAS through some app-store for the NAS, your unit should be ok.

        You should be able to see if it is transcoding in the Plex web interface. May also be able to see what the issue is through there.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/01/2024 - 09:47

    What router?
    What Plex on my NAS? VM? Docker?
    Paid Android app or Plex pass?
    What file format and encoding?

    Sorry but nowhere near enough info provided and thus why everyone is randomly guessing.

    • Jfi2ee on 03/01/2024 - 10:10

      What router - Orbi RBK50 with two additional satellites

      What Plex on my NAS? VM? Docker - Netgear RN102 with 2x 4TB HDD
      Paid Android app or Plex pass - Paid Android app
      What file format and encoding - MKV, H.264, H.265

      • Chandler on 03/01/2024 - 11:33
        +1

        Ooff… yeah, you're gonna struggle with the RN102. I have the exact same unit. Those things have a SPARC processor - not x86, not ARM.

        Mines been offline for quite a few years after a drive failure I never got around to recovering… tbh I didn't even realise you could get Plex on them. Is the app store even still online?

        • Jfi2ee on 03/01/2024 - 13:20
          +1

          Yeh, it's still active I downloaded the latest app directly from Plex. Surprisingly it worked and performs great when using a the Plex browser on the pc

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/01/2024 - 13:32
        +1

        Force everything onto 2.4ghz.
        If no joy, disconnect the NAS and run Plex off a PC to test. Sounds like a transcoding setting issue. Make sure it's disabled.

        • Jfi2ee on 03/01/2024 - 16:45

          I'll double check that transcoding is off. Prioritising 2.4Ghz on the Orbi is a pain.
          Thanks

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