The best picture, every time.
Out of the box, Plex often lowers the quality "to be safe". A few switches tell it to send you the original file, untouched. Plex calls this Direct Play: the sharpest image, the real cinema sound, and no waiting.
On your TV
Works for smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony…), Apple TV, Google TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield, Fire TV and Roku.
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Open the Plex settings
Plex appSettings ⚙︎VideoThe gear is in the side menu, or under your profile picture. On some TVs the section is called Quality or Playback.
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Turn quality all the way up
- Remote streaming qualityMaximum / Original
- Home streaming qualityMaximum / Original
- Automatically adjust qualityOff
- Allow Direct PlayOn
- Allow Direct StreamOn
"Remote" is the important one. Our server isn't in your home, so Plex uses the remote setting for you. If you only change one thing, change this.
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Let the sound through
SettingsAudio- Passthrough (soundbar or home cinema only)Auto / HDMI
- Boost voices / Normalize volumeOff
Passthrough sends the original Dolby / DTS sound straight to your speakers. No soundbar? Leave it as it is.
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Let the TV follow the movie
This makes HDR and Dolby Vision look right and stops jerky motion.
- Apple TV: Settings › Video and Audio › Match Content › Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame RateOn
- Google TV / Android TV / Shield: Plex Settings › Video › Refresh rate switchingOn
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Give it a good connection
A network cable is best. On Wi-Fi, use your box's 5 GHz network and keep the TV close to it. A 4K movie needs a steady 50–100 Mbit/s.
Buying a streaming box? An Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield or Google TV Streamer plays almost every file as-is, with full cinema sound. Apps built into TVs work well too, but they can choke on some sound formats (DTS, TrueHD) and subtitles.
On your iPhone or iPad
Use the free Plex app from the App Store (the orange one, not "Plexamp").
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Open the settings
Plex appYour profile pictureSettingsQualityDepending on the version, the section may be called Video or Streaming.
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Choose the original quality
- Remote streamingOriginal / Maximum
- Home streamingOriginal / Maximum
- Automatically adjust qualityOff
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Decide about mobile data
- Mobile / cellular streaming, unlimited planOriginal
- Mobile / cellular streaming, limited plan720p or 1080p
An hour of a full-quality movie can use 5 to 20 GB. On Wi-Fi, none of this matters.
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Download for the road
SettingsDownloadsSet the download quality to Original, then tap the download arrow on any movie or episode before a flight or a train ride. It plays without internet.
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Watching on the big screen?
AirPlay from your phone works, but it often lowers the quality. If there's a Plex app on the TV or Apple TV, open it there instead.
On your Android phone or tablet
Use the free Plex app from the Google Play Store (the orange one, not "Plexamp").
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Open the settings
Plex appYour profile pictureSettingsQualityOn older versions: the ☰ menu › Settings › Video.
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Choose the original quality
- Remote streamingOriginal / Maximum
- Home streamingOriginal / Maximum
- Automatically adjust qualityOff
- Allow Direct Play / Direct Stream (in Advanced)On
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Decide about mobile data
- Mobile data streaming, unlimited planOriginal
- Mobile data streaming, limited plan720p or 1080p
An hour of a full-quality movie can use 5 to 20 GB. On Wi-Fi, none of this matters.
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Download for the road
SettingsDownloadsSet the download quality to Original, then tap the download arrow on any movie or episode. It plays without internet.
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Casting to a TV?
Chromecast works, but a Plex app on the TV itself (or a Google TV box) gives better picture and sound. Use it when you have one.
Check in 10 seconds
Start any movie, open the player menu and look for Playback info, Stream info or the ⓘ button.
"Direct Play"
Perfect. You get the original file, in the best quality available.
"Direct Stream"
Also great. The picture is untouched; only a small detail like the sound or the container gets adapted.
"Transcode" / "Converting"
The quality is being lowered. Go back over the steps above, then look at the help page.
The golden rules
- Original everywhereRemote and home quality both set to Original / Maximum.
- Auto-adjust offOtherwise Plex quietly lowers the quality at the slightest hiccup.
- The TV app beats castingOpen Plex on the TV instead of sending from your phone.
- Pick "SRT" subtitlesWhen you have the choice. Other kinds can force a conversion on some devices.
- Cable or 5 GHz Wi-FiA steady connection matters more than a fast one.