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Why is my Plex streaming in 720p instead of 1080p?
The default streaming quality in Plex is often set to 720p or 2 Mbps, limiting the resolution unless manually adjusted.
This means that unless you go into the settings and change it, you may be stuck at lower resolutions, even if higher quality content is available.
Transcoding is a process where Plex converts video files into a format suitable for the client's device.
If the original file is 1080p but your network connection or device cannot handle higher bitrates, Plex may automatically reduce the resolution to maintain smooth playback.
The resolution of a video is defined by its pixel dimensions, such as 1920x1080 for 1080p.
However, if the horizontal resolution is lower than 720 pixels, like 1920x696, it may still be reported as 720p due to Plex's interpretation of the content.
Network bandwidth can significantly impact streaming quality.
If multiple devices are using the same network, or if the internet connection is slower, Plex may automatically lower the streaming quality to reduce buffering.
The type of device you are using to stream can also influence the quality.
Some devices may have limitations on the resolution they can support based on hardware capabilities, leading to 720p playback even if the source file is 1080p.
The Plex Media Server has a setting called "Remote Quality," which dictates how videos are streamed when accessed remotely.
If this setting is low, it can force lower resolution playback regardless of the source file quality.
If you are using a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, its processing power can impact transcoding capabilities.
Lower-end NAS devices may struggle with real-time transcoding of high-bitrate 1080p videos.
Video bitrate plays a crucial role in perceived quality.
A 720p video with a high bitrate can look better than a 1080p video with a low bitrate.
Plex may prioritize streaming based on available bandwidth rather than resolution alone.
Some formats and codecs are more taxing on the server.
For example, older codecs like MPEG-2 may require more processing power to transcode compared to more efficient codecs like H.264 or H.265.
Plex can also stream in Direct Play mode, which allows the original file to be played without transcoding if the client device supports it.
If it switches to transcoding due to compatibility issues, you may see a drop in quality.
Certain Plex clients have their own quality restrictions.
For instance, mobile apps may default to lower resolutions to save bandwidth and data, which can result in 720p streaming despite higher quality options being available.
Hardware acceleration can improve transcoding performance.
If your Plex server supports Intel Quick Sync or NVIDIA NVENC technologies, it can significantly reduce the load on the CPU, allowing for better quality streaming even at higher resolutions.
Content flagged for parental controls or other restrictions may be subject to lower quality streaming settings.
Check if any such settings are affecting your playback quality.
The Plex app itself may have bugs or issues that occasionally lead to incorrect resolution reporting.
Keeping the app updated can help minimize these occurrences.
Some users find that re-encoding their videos with consistent settings improves playback quality.
Using a tool like Handbrake to ensure consistent bitrate and codec parameters can prevent playback issues.
Streaming over Wi-Fi can introduce latency and bandwidth limitations, particularly if the router is not optimized for streaming or if there is interference from other devices.
The difference between interlaced and progressive scan can also affect quality.
1080p is typically progressive, while 1080i (interlaced) can sometimes show as lower quality if not handled properly during playback.
Video containers can also affect playback quality.
For example, an MKV file may behave differently than an MP4 file, depending on how the codec is implemented and supported by the Plex app on your device.
If using a VPN, it can slow down your connection, affecting streaming quality.
A VPN might cause Plex to reduce the streaming resolution to maintain a feasible playback speed.
Lastly, the increasing prevalence of 4K content can influence how Plex handles 1080p streams.
As more high-resolution content becomes available, the settings and expectations for lower resolutions may change, leading to potential confusion for users accustomed to 1080p streaming.
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