> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yuliskov/SmartTube/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Video Quality Settings

> Configure default video quality, resolution presets, and bandwidth settings in SmartTube for optimal playback experience

SmartTube provides flexible video quality configuration to match your device capabilities, bandwidth, and preferences.

## Default Quality Configuration

By default, SmartTube automatically selects the highest available quality for your videos. You can configure a default video preset to control the maximum resolution used.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Video Settings">
    Navigate to **Settings** → **Video player** → **Video presets**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Preset">
    Choose from available presets:

    * **None** (default) - remembers your last manual selection
    * Specific resolutions (e.g., 1080p, 4K, 720p)
    * Quality profiles with codec preferences
  </Step>

  <Step title="Understanding Preset Behavior">
    If you set a preset:

    * SmartTube will use that profile initially for each video
    * If unavailable, the next best available option is used
    * You can still override the profile within each video player
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The "none" preset option will remember your last quality selection within the video player and use it for subsequent videos.
</Info>

## Choosing the Right Resolution

To decide the optimal resolution and video quality for your setup, consider these limiting factors:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Bandwidth" icon="signal">
    Choose only up to the bitrate that your bandwidth can handle. Test your speed at [fast.com](https://fast.com).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Display Resolution" icon="tv">
    Match or slightly exceed your TV's native resolution (e.g., 1080p on a 720p display).
  </Card>

  <Card title="TV Capabilities" icon="microchip">
    Consider HDR support, 60fps capability, and codec hardware decoding.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Resolution Guidelines

### Bandwidth Considerations

| Resolution | Approximate Bitrate (VP9)\* | Recommended Connection Speed |
| :- | :- | :- |
| **8K** | \~45-80 Mbps | 100+ Mbps |
| **4K (2160p)** | \~15-25 Mbps | 35+ Mbps |
| **1440p** | \~9-15 Mbps | 20+ Mbps |
| **1080p 60fps** | \~5-8 Mbps | 15+ Mbps |
| **1080p** | \~3-5 Mbps | 10+ Mbps |
| **720p** | \~1.5-3 Mbps | 5+ Mbps |
| **480p** | \~0.5-1.5 Mbps | 3+ Mbps |

<Note>
  \*Bitrates are approximate and vary by content. AV1 uses \~30% less bandwidth than VP9. AVC uses \~30% more bandwidth than VP9.
</Note>

### Display Resolution Matching

<Accordion title="How Resolution Affects Visual Quality">
  **General Rule:** Select a video resolution that matches your TV's native display resolution.

  * **720p TV**: Select 720p or 1080p video
  * **1080p TV**: Select 1080p or 1440p video
  * **4K/UHD TV**: Select 2160p (4K) or higher video

  <Info>
    The quality **might slightly improve** if you select the next higher resolution (e.g., 1080p on a 720p display), but don't expect a big difference. The improvement is usually minimal.
  </Info>
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Debug Information Display Resolution">
  <Warning>
    **The debug information display resolution is often incorrect!**

    * If it says "1080p" but you have a 4K display, don't worry
    * SmartTube works fine above 1080p
    * You can verify by playing a 4K video - it will work correctly
    * The debug info bug is cosmetic only
  </Warning>
</Accordion>

## Automatic Quality Selection

<Accordion title="Does SmartTube Auto-Select Highest Quality?">
  **Yes, by default!** SmartTube automatically selects the highest available quality for your video.

  If you set a **video profile** under settings, that acts as a maximum for automatic selection.

  <Steps>
    <Step title="Check Current Setting">
      Go to **Settings** → **Video player** → **Video presets**
    </Step>

    <Step title="Enable Highest Quality">
      To always get the highest quality, set the preset to **"none"**
    </Step>
  </Steps>

  <Warning>
    Do not confuse quality with bitrate! See the [video codecs](/configuration/video-codecs) section for more information on why lower bitrate can mean better efficiency, not worse quality.
  </Warning>
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Automatic Bandwidth-Based Selection">
  <Info>
    **Coming in a future update:** Automatic resolution selection based on available bandwidth is planned but not currently available.
  </Info>

  **Current workaround:**

  1. Test your bandwidth at [fast.com](https://fast.com)
  2. Set a maximum resolution preset based on your speed
  3. Use the guidelines table above to choose appropriately
</Accordion>

## Frame Rate Settings

### 60fps vs 30fps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="60fps Benefits" icon="forward">
    * Smoother motion in action scenes
    * Better for gaming content and sports
    * More fluid camera movements
    * Requires \~50% more bandwidth
  </Card>

  <Card title="30fps Considerations" icon="leaf">
    * Lower bandwidth usage
    * Perfectly acceptable for most content
    * Save bandwidth and environment
    * Standard for most traditional video
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  Generally, 60fps is an improvement, but if you personally don't notice (or mind) the difference, you can save bandwidth by not choosing 60fps options.
</Tip>

## Video Profile Settings

Video profiles combine resolution, frame rate, and codec preferences into a single preset.

### How to Change Video Profile

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="In-Player Override">
    While watching a video:

    1. Press the **HQ** button in the bottom-left corner
    2. Select your preferred quality option
    3. Choose resolution, frame rate, and codec
    4. The video will reload with new settings

    This override applies only to the current video.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Default Preset">
    To set a persistent default:

    1. Go to **Settings** → **Video player** → **Video presets**
    2. Select your preferred default preset
    3. This will be applied initially for all future videos
    4. You can still override per-video using the HQ button
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Troubleshooting Quality Issues

<Accordion title="Why doesn't it autoselect the highest quality?">
  **It does by default!** If it's not working:

  1. Check if you configured a video profile preset in settings
  2. That preset acts as a maximum for automatic selection
  3. To unset it, choose **"none"** in the preset menu
  4. Remember: lower bitrate ≠ lower quality (it means better compression)
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Can I set a maximum resolution by default?">
  **Yes:**

  1. Go to **Settings** → **Video player** → **Video presets**
  2. Select your maximum desired resolution
  3. SmartTube will pick that profile if available
  4. Otherwise, the next best available option will be used
  5. You can still change quality while watching any video
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="The video is buffering a lot">
  The issue might not be specific to SmartTube. YouTube appears to sometimes discriminate against 3rd party apps.

  **Try these solutions:**

  * Reduce the resolution (or change it back)
  * Change the video format to AVC
  * Increase the buffer in the settings (see [Settings](/configuration/settings))
  * Hit the back button and try playing the video again
  * Switch to encrypted DNS like NextDNS (see FAQ in main documentation)
</Accordion>

## Quality Optimization Tips

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Match Your Display" icon="display">
    Set your default preset to match your TV's native resolution for the best balance of quality and bandwidth.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test Your Connection" icon="wifi">
    Use [fast.com](https://fast.com) to measure your actual bandwidth before selecting high resolutions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Modern Codecs" icon="microchip">
    VP9 or AV1 codecs provide better quality at lower bitrates compared to AVC.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Adjust for Content" icon="sliders">
    You can always override quality per-video - use higher quality for movies, lower for podcasts.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Related Settings

<Card title="Video Codecs" icon="film" href="/configuration/video-codecs">
  Learn about AV1, VP9, and AVC codecs and which to choose for your device
</Card>

<Card title="HDR Settings" icon="sun" href="/configuration/hdr">
  Configure HDR (High Dynamic Range) if your TV and device support it
</Card>

<Card title="Buffer Settings" icon="server" href="/configuration/settings">
  Adjust buffering settings to prevent playback interruptions
</Card>