# Help with bitrate **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [April 30, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786 "2025-04-30T22:58:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fullalet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@fullalet](https://forums.plex.tv/u/fullalet)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786/1 "2025-04-30T22:58:53Z")
I have a question. I have a series with a bitrate of 2668 kbps according to the information from Plex, but when it’s shown on the panel, it says 15 Mbps. And when I limit it to 1080p 10 Mbps from server, it transcodes. Why is that? The bitrate is much lower than that. Or am I confused? I need help, please. I use windows 10, PMS 1.41.6.9685 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/c/6/2/c62bbe0c0b71d05b4216a92f7b32d3fcf3b206c7.png) ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:34am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786/2 "2025-05-01T04:34:50Z")
See [Reserving 5 Mpbs bandwidth for a ~400MB file for an hour long episode? - #2 by OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/t/reserving-5-mpbs-bandwidth-for-a-400mb-file-for-an-hour-long-episode/879581/2) for a likely explanation. ---
**Author:** ![fullalet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@fullalet](https://forums.plex.tv/u/fullalet)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786/3 "2025-05-01T15:29:53Z")
Perfect clarification, I have another doubt. So, when I limit it to 1080p at 10 Mbps, the bitrate won’t exceed that limit and it will play normally without buffering, right? Because in the Plex forum, I read that if the limit is exceeded, it will buffer to load that action-packed part and then continue playing. ---
**Author:** ![fullalet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@fullalet](https://forums.plex.tv/u/fullalet)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786/4 "2025-05-01T15:47:40Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/6/9/7/697ed89cd45dc2374f18242a5af3d941feefc2a6.png) Look, I downloaded the program to check, and it says the max is 6182, so why does Plex tell me 15 Mbps?, Thanks for you help ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786/5 "2025-05-01T19:17:32Z")
> [@fullalet](#): > > So, when I limit it to 1080p at 10 Mbps, the bitrate won’t exceed that limit and it will play normally without buffering, right? No. Only if you can guarantee that the connection between server and client will always be as fast as 10 MBps. And on the internet there is never such a guarantee. Only likelihoods. So let’s say you have “a good chance” that it will play without buffering. > [@fullalet](#): > > I downloaded the program to check, and it says the max is 6182, so why does Plex tell me 15 Mbps?, Thanks for you help The software has nothing to do with Plex. It will determine the bandwidth of a file while assuming a certain buffer size. How big that assumed buffer is, I don’t know anymore. Plex will compute the required bandwidth for _several_ buffer sizes. That’s why there are several numbers in the XML property `requiredBandwidths` when looking at the [plex media info](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201998867-Investigate-Media-Information-and-Formats) XML of your video. Depending on the client type, Plex will pick the most likely number. Considering that your client is a smart TV, it will assume a rather small buffer size. Which is typical for that kind of device. Manufacturers put only using the absolute minimum of hardware into these, to cut cost. The smaller the buffer, the more bandwidth is required. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/help-with-bitrate/915786/6 "2025-07-30T19:17:35Z")
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