Avoid transcode and/or make it playable

[AndreiP 33]

I read a lot of information about how it works and I would like to post here my thoughts and to check if my understanding is good.
Basically, I would like to check with the community how to do in order to avoid transcode if it's possible and to do the best in order that the user will be able to watch the content without any lags and freezing.

Check list on the server end:

1. First thing is to be sure that the server has a good upload speed.

2. This settings should be allowed for the user.

3. If it's possible to use a powerful Intel CPU or graphic Nvidia video card (AMD are less efficient) and to subscribe to Emby premiere to enable hardware acceleration if the transcode will be necessary.
4. Use a video file in the library that has less bitrate (usually, hevc should be prioritized over h264 because has less bitrate and required less bandwidth, however it should be supported by the user device, please check the third point on the user end).

On the user end
1. Be sure that the user has a good download speed.

2. Be sure that the bitrate setting is set on auto in the client apps (so Emby will detect the highest possible). By default is Auto. 

4. After all this recommendations, if my understanding is good, the transcode can arrive because the client's device that use Emby is not compatible with something about the video or audio file (codecs, format, etc.) that should played and it will transcode. For example, LG smart TV can not play hevc 10 bit (it's just an example), so it will transcode to h264. Yes, the user will be able to play the movie, but the server will transcode.

So, generally speaking, to avoid the transcode, the best option (except the tips already listed above) is to have the same movie in multiple versions in order that Emby server will choose the more convenient to play. And even if Emby will not be able to do (pleas check this post https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/131050-how-emby-choose-the-version-to-play/) and will choose the wrong one, to tell to user to choose the version that will be "playable" on his device.

For example to put in folder (Terminator (1981) the version Terminator (1984) - 1080hevc.mkv, Terminator (1984) - 1080h264.mkv, Terminator (1984) - 720.mkv).

Thank you very much for your thoughts about it.

[Luke 42079]

HI, Auto on a remote connection will generally result in a lower value, so you may have to bump this on.

But auto on the local network will result in a max value.

Other than that your plan looks good.

[AndreiP 33]

Thank you for the answer, Luke. I understand your point. I suppose that Emby reduce the quality on a remote if Auto is the value to be sure that the movie will be playable. 
So, by setting to the max (4k-200Mbps, I think) in the user client (Chromacast, Roku, smart TV app, etc.), it should transcode less often?  

[Luke 42079]

28 minutes ago, AndreiP said:

Thank you for the answer, Luke. I understand your point. I suppose that Emby reduce the quality on a remote if Auto is the value to be sure that the movie will be playable. 
So, by setting to the max (4k-200Mbps, I think) in the user client (Chromacast, Roku, smart TV app, etc.), it should transcode less often?  

Hi, yes that's correct.