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    Show / Hide Table of Contents
    • Emby Documentation
    • Emby Server
      • Quick start
      • System Requirements
      • Emby Premiere
      • Installation & Setup
        • Installation
        • Running as Windows Service
        • Server Installation on Shield TV
        • Network Setup
      • Server Management
        • Server Settings
        • Network & Connectivity
          • Connecting from Client Apps
          • Secure Your Server
        • Manage Users
          • Users
          • Parental Controls
          • Passwords
          • Content Access
          • Device Access
          • Emby Connect
          • Admin Password Reset
        • Library Setup
          • Library Setup
          • Folder-based Access Control
          • Linux/Unix Permissions
          • Optional Network Paths
          • New Media Date Handling
        • Manage Metadata
          • Metadata Manager
          • Identify
          • Ordering TV Special/Extras
          • Image Editing & Image Types
        • Transcoding
          • Transcoding
          • Hardware Acceleration
            • Overview
            • Windows
            • Linux
            • Android
        • Scheduled Tasks
        • Log Files
        • Devices
        • Backing up Emby Server
        • Plugin Management
      • Features & Plugins
        • Playback Methods
        • Collections
          • Collections
        • Subtitles
          • Open Subtitles
          • Automatic Subtitle Downloads
          • Manual Subtitle Downloads
        • Extra Content
          • Channel Plugins
          • Cinema Intros
          • Music Lyrics
        • Downloads & Sync
          • Introduction
          • Download Options
          • Offline Access
          • Download Jobs
          • Folder Sync
        • Intro Skip
        • Camera Upload
        • Convert Media
        • Webhooks
        • Notifications
      • Live TV
        • Live TV Setup
        • Live TV Plugins
        • HDHomeRun Setup
        • M3U Tuners
        • Older HDHomeRun Support
        • Emby Guide Data
        • Schedules Direct
        • XML TV
        • Live TV Channel Mapping
        • Manage Channels
        • HDHomeRun Channels
        • NextPVR Tuner
        • VBox TV Gateway Tuner
        • Other EPG Sources
        • DVR Settings
      • Media Preparation
        • Naming Conventions
          • Movie Naming
          • TV Naming
          • Music Naming
          • Audio Book Naming
          • Book Naming
          • 3D Video Naming
          • Subtitles Naming
          • Trailer Naming
          • Theme Media Naming
        • Excluding Files & Folders
        • Media Stubs
        • Strm Files
      • KB Articles
        • Linux
        • Synology NAS
        • Corrupt Database
        • Synology Permissions
        • HWA fails with RDP
        • Manage Collections (Legacy)
        • Manage Playlists (Legacy)
    • Emby Apps
      • Common
        • Emby Connect
        • Keyboard and Remote Support
      • Android Mobile
      • Apple TV
      • Emby Windows
      • Google Home
      • Atmos on LG TV
      • Web App
      • Amazon Alexa
      • Android TV
        • Android TV
        • Android TV Storage Attachment
        • Shield TV Direct File Access
      • Fire TV
        • Amazon Fire TV
        • Manual Install on Fire Tablets
      • Chromecast
      • iOS
      • Roku
      • Emby for Kodi
    • Emby Premiere
      • Emby Premiere
      • Purchasing Premiere
      • Membership Options
      • Feature Matrix
      • Premiere Key Delivery
      • Keys Valid with Emby 4.0
      • Lost Premiere Keys
      • Key Invalid or Missing
      • Upgrade Membership
      • Premiere Limits
      • App Store Price Differences
      • Cancel Subscription
      • Using Multiple Servers
      • Update Credit Card
      • Change Payment Method

    Playback Methods

    Direct Play vs Direct Streaming vs Transcoding

    Emby can presently deliver your media in one of three ways:

    Direct Play

    Media file is used AS IS without any modification. It can be sent from the Emby server or (some clients) allowed to be played directly from the file system. The media fits all the criteria needed by the client including:

    • Stored in a compatible file container playable by the client
    • Encoded with compatible codecs for the client
    • Encoded with a compatible bit rate for the client
    • Has a resolution compatible with the client

    Direct Stream

    Also known as transmuxing. The Media file is altered in real-time while being delivered to the client. This happens when the video codec is correct but something else needs converting like the streaming type (package), audio or subtitle track.

    In this case the server extracts the video track from the file as well as other tracks it can use. Emby may convert the audio or subtitle tracks on the fly during a Direct Stream.

    Direct Streaming does not touch the video tracks in anyway so there is no loss of video quality. Direct Streaming is not very CPU intensive.

    Transcoding

    Transcoding takes place when the video needs to be converted. This could be because the video codec isn't support, the bitrate of the video is higher than the client can use, a subtitle needs to be "burnt" into the video.

    Transcoding at a high level, is taking already encoded content; decoding it; and then altering it. After altering, it is then reassembled/encoded back into a format compatible with the client app using the proper bitrate and a format the client app can use.

    Transcoding is more CPU intensive then Direct Streaming due to having to decode/alter/recode the video. There will be some loss of video quality when transcoding takes place.

    Emby supports offloading the transcoding process to a GPU

    On this Page
    • Direct Play
    • Direct Stream
    • Transcoding
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