Why is my video blurry, and how does adaptive streaming work?

Short answer

Mindstamp streams uploaded videos with adaptive quality, so playback can start at a lower quality and get sharper after a few seconds. If the video stays blurry, check the resolution of the source file, the viewer’s connection, and the Quality option in the player’s Settings menu.

How to do it

1. Play the video for 10 to 20 seconds on a stable connection. The quality often rises after the start.
2. Open Settings in the player and select Quality. Choose a higher level to see if the picture gets sharper.
3. Check the resolution of your source file. It must be at least as large as the player on the page.
4. For a Vimeo link, use the HLS link or the 1080p MP4 link, not a lower-quality file.
5. Test on another network and another device to find out if the problem is only on one connection.
6. If it is still blurry, contact support with the details listed below.

Why a video can start soft

An adaptive player picks a quality level for the current connection and player size, and changes it during playback. This makes the video start faster and stop less often to buffer, but the first seconds can look softer than the rest.

Common causes of a video that stays blurry

• The source file has a low resolution or a low bitrate.
• A linked MP4 has one quality only, so the player cannot switch to a sharper version.
• The video was set up for a small player and the viewer watches it in fullscreen or on a large screen.
• The viewer’s connection is slow, so the player stays on a low quality level.
• Clips recorded in the browser are 720p, so they are less sharp than 1080p footage.

Upscaling cannot add detail

A low-resolution source in a large player stays soft on any connection. Keep a clear master and check exports on the frames with text, diagrams or detailed screens. See how to compress a video.

What to send support

Support can check how an uploaded video is delivered and change it, for example to play at a fixed quality. Send the video link, the device, the browser, the time in the video where it looks blurry, and a screenshot.

Go further

• Contact support
• New Video tutorial