Playback & quality

In short

You never pick "direct play" or "transcode" yourself. The server compares the file with what your device can handle and picks the cheapest option. You just press play.

When playback starts, the server compares the file with what the client can handle and picks the cheapest option:

Decision	When it is used	Cost
Direct play	The device understands the video and audio as-is	None — the file is streamed byte for byte
Remux	Tracks are fine, but the file wrapper is not	Copy the tracks into a stream; no re-encoding
Transcode	The device cannot play the video or audio	Re-encode on the fly; the heaviest option

Converting is heavy, so a device that can play a file directly always gets the untouched file.

Choosing quality, audio and subtitles in the player

The controls you use

• Quality — pick a lower quality if your connection is slow; the server will convert down to it.
• Audio & subtitles — switch tracks from the player. External subtitle files next to the media are picked up during scanning, and subtitle provider plugins can fetch more from the title page.
• Resume — playback position is remembered per profile, so you can start on the TV and finish on your phone.
• Markers — intro, credits and recap markers appear on the timeline so you can skip them.
• Remote control — a session started on one device can be paused, seeked or stopped from another.

Checking what the server decided

The player's Statistics panel spells out the decision and why — handy when something looks off:

The player's stream diagnostics

If it is transcoding when you think it should not, or the picture stutters, see Troubleshooting. Administrators can tune the machine itself in Transcoding & hardware.

Next steps

• Users & profiles — separate viewing identities.
• Troubleshooting — when playback misbehaves.
• Transcoding & hardware — for administrators.