# Streaming without transcoding?

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [October 20, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925 "2017-10-20T15:30:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![RichardEb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@RichardEb](https://forums.plex.tv/u/RichardEb)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925/1 "2017-10-20T15:30:25Z")

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Can I setup Plex so that it won’t transcode any movie? I’d like to stream the file in original quality to my device. I’m using Plex Server for Windows and Rasplex as client.

Thx

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**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925/2 "2017-10-20T15:31:45Z")

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Create material that will Direct Play on your Client Device.

Handbrake Guide in my signature  
or  
Use the Plex Optimize Feature

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**Author:** ![RichardEb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@RichardEb](https://forums.plex.tv/u/RichardEb)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925/3 "2017-10-20T16:09:50Z")

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I’m confused. I have an mkv with 1080p and DTS sound. Both are supported by my Rasplex Media Server (and the connected AVR) When I use “Plex Optimize Feature” with original quality it starts converting the video. But why?

If I just play the video without any other settings: Will it direct play without transcoding?

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**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925/4 "2017-10-20T16:51:18Z")

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I have no idea what that thing you’re using is telling Plex about the stream you’re trying to send to it, but apparently Plex thinks it needs transcoding for some reason.

Play something - open up another Plexweb and check ‘Status’/‘Now Playing’ and try to determine why Plex is transcoding - if it’s transcoding.

Many times your quality setting on the client will be too low and Plex will need to transcode a ‘version’ that fits into that quality envelope you have set. Sometimes Audio streams will not be compatible and Plex will need to transcode an audio stream - not the worst thing that can happen.

You can’t just ‘Make Plex Direct Play’. Plex don’t work like that. You have to create material that will Direct Play. That’s how that works.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/streaming-without-transcoding/210925/5 "2020-01-08T00:01:26Z")

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