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+--- Forum: General Questions (https://forum.jellyfin.org/f-general-questions)
+--- Thread: How to globally disable Direct Play in Jellyfin? (/t-how-to-globally-disable-direct-play-in-jellyfin)
How to globally disable Direct Play in Jellyfin? - fechy - 2025-07-19
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to make sure that Jellyfin always adapts the bitrate for external users. The problem is that when a client supports Direct Play (e.g., Apple TV), Jellyfin streams the original file without any adaptation, even if the internet connection is slow. This often leads to buffering because there’s no dynamic bitrate adjustment.
Is there a way to globally disable Direct Play (for all users and devices), so Jellyfin always uses transcoding with HLS/DASH for adaptive streaming?
I know I can set bitrate limits per user, but that only triggers transcoding for files above that threshold. I’d like an option to force transcoding regardless of the source file bitrate.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
RE: How to globally disable Direct Play in Jellyfin? - Efficient_Good_5784 - 2025-07-19
Just go to: Dashboard > Playback > Streaming
There, you'll find the option to a global bitrate limit for streaming.
Yes it will only transcode if the streamed file is above the limit you set there.
Also, Jellyfin doesn't have dynamic bitrate for transcodes.
If the video direct plays with the limit you set, that shouldn't be a problem as it's already lower than the bitrate you told Jellyfin to send out to remote clients.