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Improve Video Streaming on Plex

Do NOT stream 4K content without first reading this article and getting proper permission by the administrator. Doing so can cause adverse affects on the server and hinder performance for EVERYONE. I reserve he right to revoke access to any library you currently have access to.

Being able to stream properly on Plex is something that is dependent your Internet speed, the quality of the content you are streaming, and the streaming device itself.

For example, if you have a download speed of 10mbps, I don't recommend you use Plex to stream anything higher than 720p (and even that is a stretch).

1. Finding your Internet speeds

You can check your current internet speeds at speedtest.net which will give you accurate download and upload speeds. Upload is not particularly important for streaming Plex.

Speedtest-DL.png

2. Figuring out the quality of the content you are streaming

Next we need to determine what content you are streaming and its quality. This guide is assuming you are streaming on a PC or with your web browser however every Plex player should have the ability to determine the quality and bitrate of the file you are streaming.

1. For finding out the quality and bitrate you are streaming. Follow the images. 

Example-Movie-Content.png

Example-Movie-Get-Info.png

Example-Movie-Bitrate.png

Based off the example, you'll see that the movie I have selected has an enormously high bitrate (being 53394 kbps). This means this movie requires a minimum network speed of ~54mbps to stream the content. 

Listed below is a basic chart for streaming content and which qualities usually require higher bitrates.

Your Speed Video Quality Video Bitrate
<= 10mbps 720p <= 5mbps
10-49mbps 1080p <= 20mbps
>= 50mbps 2160p (4K) >= 50mbps
3. Forcing maximum quality streams

I recommend majority of people use this option if your internet speed is 100mbps. This is because it will prevent Plex from transcoding content and focus on sending the pure, unedited content to you. Each Plex client is different however a common option you want to look for is Internet Streaming.

The Plex web/desktop client can find these options available in settings under Quality.

Stream Quality.png

    • Automatically adjust quality (Beta): Disabled
    • Video quality: Maximum
    • Play smaller videos at original quality: Enabled

This does not mean you will always Direct Play/Stream content to yourself and you may still Transcode content. 

 

End of article.

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