# Select Optimize'ed Version Based on Requested Quality

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/select-optimizeed-version-based-on-requested-quality/227786>\
**Category:** Feature Suggestions\
**Created:** [March 4, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/select-optimizeed-version-based-on-requested-quality/227786 "2018-03-04T14:21:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![nickwebha](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/nickwebha/32/84436_2.png) [@nickwebha](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nickwebha)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2018, 2:21pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/select-optimizeed-version-based-on-requested-quality/227786/1 "2018-03-04T14:21:35Z")

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Plex Media Server already detects and stores the bitrate/resolution/ect. I thought it would be useful if it auto selected the correct file depending on the select quality in the client/server restrictions. Obviously if there is already a bunch buffered and a client seeks within that range that would need to be discarded if changing files (which is unlikely if they are already in a file seeking, I would think).

The reason for this is simple: I transcode my 4K content (which my hardware can not do in real-time) via `Optimize` and my users need to explicitly selected “new” version or they get buffering issues. If it just did this automatically my less technology-inclined (read: parents) would have to write me fewer confused messages about it “not working.” It is the same issue every single time but they can not seem to figure it out…

Another reason would be to put less load on the server. Transcoding 720p down to 480p (for people on mobile concerned about data usage) would be better than transcoding 1080p down to 480p if such a file were already available.

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**Author:** ![xenorg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c37758/32.png) [@xenorg](https://forums.plex.tv/u/xenorg)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/select-optimizeed-version-based-on-requested-quality/227786/2 "2018-03-07T23:43:48Z")

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I’m finding I need something like this as well. I also have 4k content, and use the ‘Optimize’ c to create 1080p versions, but Plex insists on transcoding the 4k down to whatever resolution the users requests, thus creating buffering issues. If plex was able to instead use the optimised version for transcoding, i.e. If an optimised version exists, and is higher quality than the quality requested by the client, then use the optimised version for transcoding.

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**Author:** ![leonschr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9bd4f/32.png) [@leonschr](https://forums.plex.tv/u/leonschr)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/select-optimizeed-version-based-on-requested-quality/227786/3 "2018-03-08T01:02:46Z")

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1+  
same Story  
Versions for h264 and h265 it trys transcoding before using h264 - it seems that this should have been implemented years ago

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**Author:** ![nickwebha](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/nickwebha/32/84436_2.png) [@nickwebha](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nickwebha)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/select-optimizeed-version-based-on-requested-quality/227786/4 "2018-04-18T12:38:27Z")

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I just noticed this now works in the mainline/stable Roku client. Did you guys implement this without telling anyone? I do not see this in the [changelog](https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/27134/plex-for-roku "changelog") since the March 4th update.