# Force Direct Play First **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Suggestions\ **Created:** [December 1, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176 "2020-12-01T16:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dantheman61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f17d59/32.png) [@dantheman61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dantheman61)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 4:55pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/1 "2020-12-01T16:55:45Z")
I would like plex to be changed or be able to control this from the server admin that when someone on the server tries to play something it will by default play direct play or original or maximum quality FIRST. I understand not all devises can play direct play but it should try this FIRST then go to transuding. This could be integrated with Automatically adjust quality (Beta) where it will try to do direct play first and this setting would be on by default. As a server owner and admin there are only so many transcodes the server can do and should not be wasted if the client can direct play. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/2 "2020-12-01T17:39:37Z")
Plex already attempts to direct play/direct stream media before transcoding, including when Auto Adjust Quality is enabled. From [Automatically Adjust Quality when streaming](https://support.plex.tv/articles/115007570148-automatically-adjust-quality-when-streaming/): _The Plex apps only select auto quality in situations where a video already needs to be converted (transcoded) for playback. It does not interfere with playing videos at their original quality (sometimes called Direct Play or Direct Stream)._ ---
**Author:** ![dantheman61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f17d59/32.png) [@dantheman61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dantheman61)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/3 "2020-12-01T17:54:31Z")
“Automatically Adjust Quality is _disabled_ in the apps by default.” this is the problem i would like as the server admin for this setting to be default or i can change on server for everyone using my server because people i share my library with don’t change this setting then i have unnecessary transcodes. ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/4 "2020-12-01T18:03:53Z")
> [@dantheman61](#): > > then i have unnecessary transcodes How does enabling the feature prevent transcoding? According to the documentation, it is only used after Plex has made the decision to transcode. Edit: Also, “Auto Adjust Quality” is transcoding. The only way Plex can dynamically adjust the bitrate during streaming is to transcode the video. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f17d59/32.png) [@dantheman61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dantheman61)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/5 "2020-12-01T18:16:14Z")
The problem is by default internet streaming is set by the client not the server. The clients should not have to change any setting so the server runs the way the server admin need it to run. It would be unnecessary transcodes if a client can direct pay but because of the default setting it transcodes. ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:32pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/6 "2020-12-01T18:32:04Z")
> [@dantheman61](#): > > The problem is by default internet streaming is set by the client not the server. There are existing requests regarding server side control of remote user settings. Maybe one or more fit your requirements? > [@Feature Request: Default quality for remote users](https://forums.plex.tv/t/feature-request-default-quality-for-remote-users/310158): > > Please add a default option that is set server side for remote users. I am so sick of walking my users through on how to set quality to “original” or “maximum”. Then they stream from a new device and I have to hound them to change the settings again. This setting should be controlled by the server admin and NOT the end user. Unneeded transcoding is costing me money on my electric bill. > [@Force video and audio setting](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-video-and-audio-setting/570337): > > On the plex server setting: Force video and audio setting for plex client. This setting will lock video and audio settings for the server share. In the setting we can select: Video Quality: (480p, 720p, 1080p, Orignal) Audio Quality Direct play (Yes/No) Allow to change the quality automatically: (Yes/No) Also if possible: Allow to do it for each user separately. Why we need this setting? Normally I would go in front of the device and do it for my family but whit the COVID-19 I cannot d… > [@Allow changing quality of remote streams from server](https://forums.plex.tv/t/allow-changing-quality-of-remote-streams-from-server/444373): > > It would be great if I can change the streaming quality from the Activity Dashboard, similar to how I can stop a stream from there. My entire family uses my plex server, with some family members being technology savy and others not so much. I walked them through setting remote quality to Original for all their devices, so by default they stream at that quality. It would be great if I could manually override that setting just for that current stream. For instance, they start streaming a 15Mbp… > [@disable transcoding (per user setting)](https://forums.plex.tv/t/disable-transcoding-per-user-setting/86588): > > Hi,   I would love to have a feature that would allow me to disable transcoding on a per-user base. I share my media amongst some users but I have to ask them to only directplay (using the plex theatre app on PC/MAC) because otherwise after 4 concurrent sessions my CPU starts to give up ...   thanks for considering !   edd--     ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/7 "2021-03-30T23:43:36Z")
Early 2021 clean-up: duplicate(s) ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/force-direct-play-first/660176/8 "2021-06-10T00:21:46Z")