Adaptive Video Streaming Guide
RideStream streams video at the file's native resolution by default. Adaptive streaming only scales down — to 720p or 480p — when Wi-Fi bandwidth can't keep up, so you watch at the best quality your network allows.
How It Works
In High mode, RideStream streams the original file directly with no re-encoding — the receiver plays it at its native resolution (for example 1080p, 1440p, or 4K, depending on the source file). No quality is lost.
In Auto mode, RideStream monitors buffer fill rates and network throughput. If Wi-Fi bandwidth drops, it seamlessly re-encodes the stream down to 720p or 480p to prevent freezes. If you prefer to lock it, pick Medium (720p) or Low (480p) manually.
Quality & Network Guidance
| Preset | What You Get | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| High (Native / Direct) | The file's own resolution & bitrate, no re-encode | Best quality — strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi / wired LAN |
| Auto | Native, scaling down to 720p/480p as needed | Everyday use — balances quality & stability |
| Medium (720p) | Scaled to 720p (~1.5 Mbps) | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi / multi-room |
| Low (480p) | Scaled to 480p (~600 kbps) | Weak Wi-Fi / hotspot / congested network |
How to Change Quality Settings
- While a video is playing, tap the screen to bring up the video controls overlay.
- Tap the Quality Gear Icon ⚙️ in the player control bar.
- Choose
High(native),Auto,720p, or480p.
🔧 Troubleshooting Adaptive Quality
❓ Why Does Native HD Lag on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi?
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi channels are susceptible to interference from Bluetooth, microwaves, and neighboring routers, and offer much lower throughput than 5 GHz. Switch your router to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, or select Auto / 720p so RideStream can scale down gracefully.
❓ Does Transcoding Reduce Video Quality Permanently?
No. Transcoding is performed transiently during streaming only when you pick Auto/720p/480p. Your original high-resolution file on disk remains completely untouched, and High mode always plays it natively.