Universal Media Server | Forum

I checked the Advanced Settings box and got all the options now. The fresh install must have reset it.

I tested again the * to "Force Transcode", and it does work now. Not sure why it didn't work before. The problem is that I lose Fast Forward and Rewind functionality if I do this. So this is not an option long-term.

Re: Then again it could just be the transcoding engine priority so moving "FFmpeg HLS Video" to the top of the engine list should do this too.
Moving "FFmpeg HLS Video" to the top did not make a difference.

Attached is a screenshot of the FFMPEG HLS Video 0.0.0.

Re: Did 14.6 work before with those videos outside the transcode folder? I remember some problems happened after going from 13.6 to 14.12, could you check both those versions too? Do you have any other TVs you can test on?
Ans: I don't remember the exact version it worked with, but I will try 13.6 and 14.12 and re-post. I know I don't have any issues with my Sony Bravia TVs. Unfortunately, I don't have access to them until April.

Re: Has your TV had any firmware updates?
Ans: It's possible. It is set to "Auto Update". The current version is 1710. It is a Samsung AU8000 (2021 model) running Tizen 6.0, according to this link.
https://en.tab-tv.com/samsung-tv-operat ... m-by-year/

One other note, do you know how FFMPEG (or whatever program) determines if the video file is an HLS video? I would like to run against my collection and if I only have a small number, convert them to a "more standard" format.
Thank you.

Attached are the log files for v14.12 and v13.6.
v14.6 has same functionality as all other higher versions. HLS video does not play from the main selection...only plays when selecting from the #TRANSCODE# folder.
v13.6 appears to not support HLS videos. It is not listed in the Video Files Engines.
I have attached log files for both versions, including when the video is played correctly on v14.6 when selected from the #TRANSCODE# folder.
If we could get UMS to select the proper format (FFMpeg HLS video), we can solve this problem. How does it determine it is an HLS video???

HLS is just another method of transcoding, the videos themselves are not in the HLS format.
It works by breaking the video into tiny chunks of equal length (maybe 5 seconds) and creating a playlist of them which is sent to the renderer.
Then the renderer can use this playlist to chose which chunks to request along with the matching audio and subtitle information.
This has the advantage of being able to seek to any part of the video without needing to know the final size of the video which does not exist until completely transcoded.
This also allows it to switch subtitles and audio tracks without restarting. When it works it should be just like playing a video natively even though it is in an unsupported format.
Its similar to how Youtube and other video sites work.

Since you say that force transcoding does work but disables seeking then the normal transcoding method is actually working so I would expect playing from the #--TRANSCODE--# folder to work too. Assuming everything has been reset to default with the clean install I am stumped if it is still not working.
Did you change anything after the clean install? The only thing you would need to do is set up a shared folder.

That FFMPEG HLS tooltip does not show on the web interface so I checked the old GUI and for me it is showing 8.0.0.0
It shows the same thing for FFmpeg Video and AVIsynth/FFmpeg engines
I am using a very recent build of 15.4.0 though and I think that had a bump in FFmpeg version. I can't remember when the HLS method was added but is needed in the web player. It may be that it was not added to confs then as a transcoding profile.

I'll have to check the other logs later as it is quite late now.
Do the videos stream in the previous versions? Will there when playing from the #--TRANSCODE--# folder but selecting "No transcoding"

Re: Did you change anything after the clean install? The only thing you would need to do is set up a shared folder.
Ans: I changed the name of the UMS server, changed the subtitle language priority, turned off Audio Thumbnails import, unchecked "Start minimized to system tray" and set up the shared folder. None of these should have any impact on what we are seeing. Also, when Uninstalling the old version, I use RevoUninstaller to make sure everything was removed and I got a complete new virgin installation.

Re: That FFMPEG HLS tooltip does not show on the web interface so I checked the old GUI and for me it is showing 8.0.0.0
It shows the same thing for FFmpeg Video and AVIsynth/FFmpeg engines
I am using a very recent build of 15.4.0 though and I think that had a bump in FFmpeg version.
Ans: ALL my engines are showing (0.0.0), except for VLC Video, which is showing (3.2.1). Re: Do the videos stream in the previous versions? Will there when playing from the #--TRANSCODE--# folder but selecting "No transcoding"
Ans: The HLS videos do not stream in the previous versions unless I select "FFMPEG HLS video" from the #TRANSCODE# folder.
Selecting "No Transcoding" from the #TRANSCODE# folder does NOT play the video.
Attached log files shows, attempted the following, in order...
Playing file using #TRANSCODE# FFMpeg HLS option (works)
Using #TRANSCODE# No transcoding option (does not work)
Using normal selection (does not work)

The tooltip version is probably due to the version number in FFmpeg, and all engines that have FFmpeg use the same exe file.
The previous one had a date where in mine it starts with an actual version. The tooltip probably cannot extract a meaningful version number so just uses 0.0.0 The other programs like Mencoder might not return a version number the same way too.
As this is on the old GUI it will never get updated, especially as it is only cosmetic.



It would be better to do a clean install each time and only set the shared folder to eliminate other factors. Leave everything at default.
In the 13.6 logs there were warning messages about settings that did not exist as it was still using the conf from 15.3
If somehow clean install is not working then rename/delete the UMS folder in C:\ProgramData\ before installing another version

Ignore anything with HLS now as that is the only thing working. I need to figure out why streaming is not working.

It is very strange that streaming is not working, even stranger on the old version too as this would have been reported many times over the past couple of years.
Maybe it is something specific to your TV or setup.

I do see a lot of connection reset exceptions in version 13.6 In 14.2+ I think this exception was handled better to just say connection was reset. It could the the TV itself resetting the connection or something else on your computer. Do you use an anti virus program?

It might be since those videos are so old UMS could be sending the incorrect info about is resolution or framerate.
Maybe a more modern video using a similar format would work. Could you try the videos from here and see if they stream without transcoding. Get the largest filesize from each resolution so you can test if that is a factor.

Are you using Wifi or wired? If on Wifi try with a wired connection, and visa versa to see if it has to do with your network.
Maybe some network settings on the TV is at fault. See if you can reset these settings and reconnect to the network.
If you have something else linked to the TV like a phone then that may be the problem.

Re: It would be better to do a clean install each time and only set the shared folder to eliminate other factors. Leave everything at default.
In the 13.6 logs there were warning messages about settings that did not exist as it was still using the conf from 15.3
If somehow clean install is not working then rename/delete the UMS folder in C:\ProgramData\ before installing another version.

Ans: While installing new UMS (clean install), I have verified that this directory is empty.
Revo Uninstaller cleans up any registry entries that UMS uses.
I have reinstalled v15.3 (clean install) and only changed the video file location. No other settings were changed.
The Video Files Engines still show version (0.0.0) for everything except VLC.
I installed v15.3 (clean install) on another PC and only changed the video server name and video file location. It STILL shows all the Engines version (0.0.0).
The results below are the same for both the machines.

Re: Do you use an anti virus program?
Ans: I use the Windows 11 A/V by default. No special configuration.

Re: Maybe a more modern video using a similar format would work. Could you try the videos from here and see if they stream without transcoding. Get the largest filesize from each resolution so you can test if that is a factor.
Ans: I have downloaded the largest files for resolutions 1920x1080, 1280x720 and 640x360 for MP4 (H.264 and H.265) as these are the most common that I use.
Results are: The 1920x1080 (H.264 L5.1 does not work, even with No Transcoding from #TRANSCODE# folder) (TV says "Format not supported" [see below])
The 1280x720 (H.264 L5 does not work, even with No Transcoding from #TRANSCODE# folder) (TV says "Format not supported" [see below])
The 1920x1080 (H.265/HEVC L4 works)
The 1280x720 (H.265/HEVC L4 works)
The 640x360 (H.265/HEVC L8.5 works)
The 640x360 (H.264 L4.1 works)
Would you like to see a log file with any of this?

Re: Are you using Wifi or wired? If on Wifi try with a wired connection, and visa versa to see if it has to do with your network.
I am using Wifi for the TV (the only device on the 5GHz frequency and only 2 meters from the router) and the UMS server is wired to the router. My internet download speeds are approximately 120Mb/s and consistent. I could test a direct connection for the TV, but it would take a couple days to get another network cable. I don't think this is an issue, but will pursue if you would like.

Re: Maybe some network settings on the TV is at fault. See if you can reset these settings and reconnect to the network.
Ans: The TV shows it gets an address from the router fine. IP, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and DNS server settings are all as they should be. I have released the IP address and renewed the network connection though. There are no changes in what can/cannot be played.

Re: If you have something else linked to the TV like a phone then that may be the problem.
Ans: Nothing else is linked to the TV. No phone, etc.

Other info:
I found a support page on my TV that showed the following...maybe the renderer file needs to be modified.?.?
H.264 UHD is supported up to Level 5.1.
H.264 FHD is supported up to Level 4.2.
HEVC UHD is supported up to Level 5.1.
HEVC FHD is supported up to Level 4.1.
VC1 AP L4 is not supported.
GMC 2 or above is not supported.

binary512 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 20, 2026 8:19 am The 1280x720 (H.264 L5 does not work, even with No Transcoding from #TRANSCODE# folder) (TV says "Format not supported" [see below])
The 1920x1080 (H.265/HEVC L4 works)
The 1280x720 (H.265/HEVC L4 works)
The 640x360 (H.265/HEVC L8.5 works)
The 640x360 (H.264 L4.1 works)
Would you like to see a log file with any of this

This might be a clue as h265 videos work but not h264.
Maybe UMS is not sending the right format data to tell the TV it is h264, or the wrong resolution as the The 640x360 (H.264 L4.1) works.
A comparison of h264 and h265 videos playing might reveal the problem. I think the logs of this will be more helpful here.

You have already proved the TV can play these formats from the USB. You could double check with these new test videos to make sure.

The level would not be a problem as your videos do not use a high level (only 3) and I think the highest (at least commonly used) is 5.2
There is a limit set to 5.1 for h264 in the renderer conf so that would make anything higher transcode.


I don't know anything about that revo uninstaller but it could be messing with the clean install.
It might not be removing the ProgramData folder, just the install location and the registry.
It would be better to just use the UMS uninstaller or just directly install over with clean install.

I did notice that the default order of the transcoding engines does not match what the conf says the default is so that may have been throwing me off (the text must not have been updated), plus you also changed the server name, so I was not sure if it was a clean install.

The version of the engines are not relevant so you can ignore this too. Its just the old GUI never being updated.

Since some videos do play then the network will be fine, same with the A/V. Just trying to eliminate possibilities.

Someone else has had problems on the PS3 that are similar and I could not see anything wrong so I might have to dig mine out to do some testing.

Re: A comparison of h264 and h265 videos playing might reveal the problem. I think the logs of this will be more helpful here.
Ans: Attached is the log file of the test videos you requested that I download. The first four videos work (filename includes "WORKS"). The last two video fail (filename includes "FAILS"). When using the thumb drive, I get the same results...four videos play fine, two videos do not play. I get an error message on the TV stating "Video Format is not supported" when I try to play from either the thumb drive or UMS.

Re: I don't know anything about that revo uninstaller but it could be messing with the clean install.
It might not be removing the ProgramData folder, just the install location and the registry.
It would be better to just use the UMS uninstaller or just directly install over with clean install.
Ans: Revo Uninstaller does not interfere with the installation. It only makes sure the UNinstallation is complete before re-installing with a CLEAN install. Once UMS has been installed, the only change made is the selection of the video location.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Those results were a bit surprising. all those test videos were supposed to be at level 4.2 according to the info on the site.

Video File Details

Codec: libx264
Profile: High
Level: 4.2
Preset: VerySlow
FPS: 60
Last Updated: around 2019

The 2 that fail are at level 5 and 5.1 so that is the reason why they don't play from the USB.
Could you try again with the jellyfish ones, both from UMS and USB. I checked to confirm they are all level 4.2

The conf does set the level but the problem is since FHD and UHD have different level limits on that TV there is currently no way to set this separately. Maybe setting this to 4.2 would make sure everything would play but would unnecessarily transcode the UHD videos which is not ideal.
Or you could just leave it and manually force transcoding using HLS for those that do not play.
I'll make a suggestion for this to be added per line in the supported formats section like you can with resolution.

When transcoding I can see the level is set to 4.1 when using HLS, but not set if the video is at a lower level when transcoding normally.
I wonder if there is a minimum level the TV can play.

I think I will need one of your videos to test on my TV as they should be able to stream since its level was only 3.
Could you upload "A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965).mp4" to Mega.nz and PM me the link.

Re: The 2 that fail are at level 5 and 5.1 so that is the reason why they don't play from the USB.
Could you try again with the jellyfish ones, both from UMS and USB. I checked to confirm they are all level 4.2
Ans: The jellyfish videos were tested and all of them play fine on USB.

Re: I think I will need one of your videos to test on my TV as they should be able to stream since its level was only 3.
Could you upload "A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965).mp4" to Mega.nz and PM me the link.
Ans: I uploaded the video. PMing you the link.
The log file is attached showing all the jellyfish videos and the Charlie Brown video.