If you select quality original and select “auto adjust quality settings” then this effectively does the same it will try original, then decrease to the highest it can
That only applies to the current client you are on. Not all clients and all users.
What we are looking for is a server setting that makes every client using the server at the clients optimal settings for all users. And not just the 2 Mbps at 720p.
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This is a huge annoyance. Pretty much every one of my remote users is transcoding 1080p down to SD. I’ve tried reducating them, but it’s no use. If they do change the quality setting it’s just for the thing they are watching at that time, not in the main settings where it’s permanent. Annoying!
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Yeah, have exactly the same problem. I contact my users when I see they are transcoding down to a lower quality. Not only is it annoying for me, they feel like I’m constantly monitoring them. Tired of being the nagging one…
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Yeah, this is quite annoying. What’s the problem with having a setting where you force the highest possible quality to the clients? If their bandwidth or what have you does not handle 4K, well then try the highest you’re capable of. This should really not even be a setting but defaulted. It just makes sense. Why would you want to have to manually change quality in a client at any time when the server can decide that for you automatically?
I use JBOPS and Tautulli to kill any stream that does not match a predefined list of criteria and display a message to the user that transcodes are not allowed.
Not the most elegant solution, but it will have to do since I do not ever see Plex implementing this feature request.
It really is ridiculous that this isn’t an option, even for Plex Pass users. Why should I have to explain to my family members how to change settings in your crappy apps? Stop with the News. Stop with the Web Shows. Stop trying to shove F***ING TIDAL down my throat!
Give us paying customers the features we actually want and will use!
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Honestly I assumed this was a Plex Pass feature, and am really disappointed. At the very least Plex apps should make it obvious to users that they can’t select higher playback quality because of something in their app’s setting, not because of the quality of the media or the available bandwidth. But ideally servers should be able to set an initial default quality for users.
+1 dont expect anything here. This topic has been create in 2017… Tidal is far more important. When nobody request a feature dont worry they will add it.
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Like everyone else on here get beyond annoyed with the end users of plex constantly watching at a low bitrate. I tried some Tautulli scripts but kept getting people disconnected even when the bitrate was correct or they’d have clients that would not display the message properly of WHY they were disconnected and would just email me telling me plex is broken. Please Plex add in a feature to FORCE a quality. Even 8mbit or higher would be great.
Yes Plex, please add server side controls to push to clients for video & audio quality! Streaming has become the norm and majority of ISP’s are conforming to higher up/down speeds. We have this awesome dashboard you created to monitor usage but can’t make any changes when we see someone not streaming correctly. Give the server what servers do most, controls! 
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OMG This is annoying. I also want this feature. Everyone is wondering why this isn’t available and Plex isn’t giving answers. I have to explain to everyone how to set the quality and it feels like I’m snooping in to what they’re watching.
It’s 2019, 3 years and probably more since this feature was requested… and the morons at Plex reading this thread just laughing at its users.
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this feature is what we need would save a lot of time and frustration for server hosts and users!
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At this point, I would even be happy if the default in the clients was increased from 2Mbps to something like the 8Mbps setting. That would solve a few of my remote user issues.
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To be honest, I’d rather it be set to “Original” or “Maximum”… This way the Plex server assumes everyone can direct play, and then for users who need to go lower, or for their individual devices that they need to lower it on, they can manually change it themselves. This would be the ideal situation…
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It drives me absolutely insane that this isn’t possible. I have a gigabit pipe so bandwidth is not a concern in any way. Adding my name to the list here so that Plex can see that we want this changed.
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It should absolutely be possible to force a minimum streaming bitrate. The defaults will transcode all videos down to pudding and grill the server.
I’ve just launched my first Plex server and am running tests with users, and I came here to find where to set the remote default to higher than 2Mb/720p. I am absolutely shocked that this is not an option. This makes no sense whatsoever. 
lower bit rate/lower quality encodes, are actually easier on the cpu than high bitrate/high quality encode modes.
obviously though, direct play is the best, though that depends on a lot of factors besides the client quality settings.
It is in the settings for each remote client (i.e. the Plex app on the TV, streaming box, etc). The exact location varies by client type. You cannot force the settings from the server. They must be set on each individual client.
For Android TV:
Video Quality section
Adjust Automatically = Off (On forces video transcoding)
Home Streaming = Maximum
Remote Streaming = Maximum
Play Smaller Videos = On
Video Section
Burn Subtitles = Automatic
Display Information = On (helps with troubleshooting)
For Android Mobile devices, tap on your user icon in upper left corner, then choose Settings → Quality.
Video Quality
Adjust Automatically = Off
Limit Cellular Data = Off
Remote Streaming = Maximum
Music Quality
Remote Streaming = Original
Use Low Quality on Cellular = Off
You also need to check the settings on your Plex Media Server.
In Settings → Remote Access, make sure Internet Upload Speed and Limit Remote Stream Bitrate are set appropriately.
