Hardware Transcoding for 4K Video files?

[autolux]

hello, have a TS-453B and ran into my first 4K content issues -- trying to use plex media server to play the content which is just below the borderline of being able to do so (90% plus CPU, causing buffering every 30 seconds or so...).

it's my understanding the inbuilt plex media server doesnt use hardware transcoding, so can't take advantage of the CPU in this qnap, which is meant to be pretty decent. what approaches do i have? do you have to purchase a plex pass to make use of hardware transcoding? if so, does it work well? what alternatives do i have?

cheers

[Trexx]

For Plex HW Transcoding support, you must be a Plex Pass subscriber. I have tried it (not on that model) and it works well.

That is your best option at this point for Plex. I have read of some people getting HW transcoding working in Emby (plex competitor) but I haven't tried that myself.