Best Transcoding/Bitrate Practices

[TheDreadPirate]

To clarify how the bit rate limit actually works, when you set a bit rate limit Jellyfin will transcoding higher bit rate content down to that limit. However, that does not apply to the actual transfer of that transcoded data. There is no mechanism to then limit the speed of that transfer to 5Mbps. At least not in Jellyfin itself.

Having said that, your OS should juggle multiple streams to achieve approximately an even split of your available upload bandwidth.

Ideally, you should try to avoid exceeding 50% upload utilization to ensure consistency and to ensure that your client is receiving data fast enough to build up a buffer to smooth over dips in data transfer.

But your options are pretty limited. As you already know, 15Mbps just isn't enough. I feel your pain. I have to get the 1Gbps plan with my ISP just to go from 10Mbps upload to 40Mbps upload. And I still have to set a bit rate limit to ensure a consistent experience for my two remote users + me and my wife when we are out of the house.

The only thing you can change is A) get a higher tier plan with a higher upload if that is available or B) set an even lower bit rate limit.

Neither are great options, but you gotta do what you gotta do.