How to change streaming quality settings on Netflix, Stan, and more
Streaming video is one of the most demanding tasks you can use your internet connection for. If you’re not careful, it’s easy to burn through a whole lot of data in a very short time. Fortunately, most streaming apps have robust quality option that allow you to adjust your picture settings and as such, your data usage.
These can be helpful if you’re trying to reduce data usage, or if you need to reduce picture quality because you’ve been having playback issues. Lower picture quality means you’re using less data per speed, which can help with slower or more temperamental internet connections. Alternatively, quality settings can also help ensure you’re watching at the best quality, all of the time.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how to change your quality settings on every major streaming app available in Australia.
Please note that while we’ve done are best to provider comprehensive instructions for adjusting video quality across major screaming services, there may be some variations depending on what platform you’re running an app. For example, we found that Amazon’s smart TV apps don’t let you adjust streaming quality, while you can on its mobile apps and in your web browser. In addition, some menu options may appear in slightly different places or have different names on different platforms, but for the most part, the majority of the process should be similar.
In this guide:
Streaming TV Plans
Plan
Inclusions
Price
Details
Hayu
Hayu Plan
- Hayu Plan
-
Stream hundreds of reality shows, ad-free
-
Min. cost $6.99 per month
-
Deal: 7-day free trial
$
6.99
/mth
Min. cost $6.99 per month
View Plan
Prime Video
Prime Video Plan
- Prime Video Plan
-
Features exclusive Amazon Originals as well as popular movies and TV shows
-
Min. cost $6.99 per month
-
Deal: 1-month free trial
$
6.99
/mth
Min. cost $6.99 per month
View Plan
Flash
Flash Plan
- Flash Plan
-
Includes 25+ leading global and local news channels
-
Min. cost $8 per month
-
Deal: 14-day free trial
$
8
/mth
Min. cost $8 per month
Link not supplied
BritBox
BritBox Plan
- Britbox Plan
-
The ultimate collection of British comedy and drama, direct from the BBC and ITV
-
Min. cost $8.99 per month
-
Deal: 7-day free trial
$
8.99
/mth
Min. cost $8.99 per month
Link not supplied
Paramount+
Paramount+ Plan
- Paramount+ Plan
-
Includes on-demand and live content from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and more
-
Min. cost $8.99 per month
-
Deal: 7-day free trial
$
8.99
/mth
Min. cost $8.99 per month
Link not supplied
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ Plan
- Apple TV+ Plan
-
Features exclusive Apple Original award-winning series
-
Min. cost $9.99 per month
-
Deal: 7-day free trial
$
9.99
/mth
Min. cost $9.99 per month
View Plan
Binge
Binge Basic Plan
- Binge Basic Plan
-
The world’s best shows, thousands of hours of shows and movies Ad-free on Demand
-
Min. cost $10 per month
-
Deal: 14-day free trial
$
10
/mth
Min. cost $10 per month
Link not supplied
Stan
Stan Basic Plan
- Stan Basic Plan
-
Unlimited access to thousands of hours of entertainment, first-run exclusives, iconic series & movies
-
Min. cost $10 per month
-
Deal: 30-day free trial
$
10
/mth
Min. cost $10 per month
Link not supplied
Netflix
Netflix Basic Plan
- Netflix Basic Plan
-
Unlimited movies and TV shows
-
Min. cost $10.99 per month
$
10.99
/mth
Min. cost $10.99 per month
Link not supplied
Disney+
Disney+ Plan
- Disney+ Plan
-
With entertainment from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars™, National Geographic and Star
-
Min. cost $13.99 per month
-
Deal: Save over 15% with annual subscription
$
13.99
/mth
Min. cost $13.99 per month
View Plan
Foxtel Now
Foxtel Now Essentials Pack
- Foxtel Now Essentials Pack
-
Includes Essentials base pack with Pop and Lifestyle
-
Min. cost $25 per month
-
Deal: 10-day free trial
$
25
/mth
Min. cost $25 per month
Link not supplied
Kayo Sports
Kayo Basic Plan
- Kayo Basic Plan
-
Over 15,000 hours of sport on-demand sport – new content daily
-
Min. cost $30 per month
-
Deal: 7-day free trial
$
30
/mth
Min. cost $30 per month
Link not supplied
How to change video quality settings on Netflix
The easiest way to adjust your Netflix video quality settings is via a web browser. When signed into Netflix on your web browser of choice, follow these steps:
- Click on your profile icon in the top-right of the Netflix window and choose Account
- Scroll down to Profile & Parental controls and select your profile
- Click Playback settings
- Select the quality of stream you want
Note that quality settings have to be adjusted on a per profile basis. Changing quality settings on your profile won’t affect quality settings for anyone else with a profile on your account.
If you’re using Netflix on your phone or tablet, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Tap the Menu icon in either the top left or top right corner (this depends on whether you’re using iOS or Android)
- Select App Settings
- Select Cellular Data Usage
- Select the quality of stream you want
Looking for something to watch?
With so much to choose from, check out our top picks of the best TV shows and movies to stream on Netflix.
How to change video quality settings on Binge
If you want to adjust video quality on Binge using the mobile app:
- Tap the Viewing options icon
- Select Quality options
- Choose which quality of stream you want
If you’re on the web and want to change the settings:
- Click on the Audio and Settings icon
- Select Quality options
- Choose which quality of stream you want
Binge has two options when it comes to streaming quality – Standard Definition and High Definition. HD streaming is only available for Standard and Premium subscriptions.
Plan
Inclusions
Price
Details
Binge
Binge Basic Plan
- Binge Basic Plan
-
The world’s best shows, thousands of hours of shows and movies Ad-free on Demand
-
Min. cost $10 per month
$
10
/mth
Min. cost $10 per month
Link not supplied
Binge
Binge Standard Plan
- Binge Standard Plan
-
The world’s best shows, thousands of hours of shows and movies Ad-free on Demand
-
Min. cost $16 per month
$
16
/mth
Min. cost $16 per month
Link not supplied
Binge
Binge Premium Plan
- Binge Premium Plan
-
The world’s best shows, thousands of hours of shows and movies Ad-free on Demand
-
Min. cost $18 per month
$
18
/mth
Min. cost $18 per month
Link not supplied
How to change video quality settings on Stan
If you want to adjust video quality on Stan, you can only do when watching a movie or show. To do this, you’ll first need to bring up the playback menu. If you’re doing this on a touchscreen device, you’ll normally do so by touching the screen. On a computer, you’ll do so by movie the mouse. On a smart TV, you’ll normally do so by pressing a directional button.
Once the playback menu is visible, select the Settings cog. You’ll then be able to pick from as many as five different video quality options: Auto, Ultra, High, Med, or Low. Not all titles are available in Ultra, and some video quality options won’t be available if they’re not included in your subscription tier.
What to watch on Stan?
With so much choice it can be hard what to choose when it comes to Stan content. Luckily, we’ve round up the best movies and best TV shows you can watch on Stan right now.
How to change video quality settings on Britbox
At the time of writing, there aren’t any settings where you can change the the video quality on Britbox. Videos will automatically play in the definition they’ve been uploaded in on the platform.
That’s not to say you still can’t enjoy some classic British TV. In fact, you can enjoy a 7-day free trial.
Try BritBox for free
How to change video quality settings on Amazon Prime Video
If you’re watching Amazon Prime Video in your web browser, the option cog lets you change your playback settings. This becomes visible when you move your cursor.
If you’re watching Amazon Prime Video on your mobile, follow these steps:
- Tap My Stuff
- Tap the cog icon
- Tap Streaming & Downloading
- Tap Streaming quality and select your preference
Amazon Prime Video smart TV apps do not appear to have the ability to adjust video quality. Instead, they’ll default to the best quality your internet connection can handle.
How to change video quality settings on Foxtel Now
To change Foxtel Now quality settings in your web browser, follow these steps:
- Click the cog icon in the top right hand corner, and then click App Settings
- Scroll down to Data Usage
If you have a Foxtel Now app on your smart TV or console:
- Navigate to the Settings pane
- Select Playback Settings and then choose your quality
And if you’re using the Foxtel Now mobile app:
- Tap Settings in the menu
- Tap Data usage
How to change video quality settings on Apple TV+
Apple TV+’s streaming quality preferences are typically dictated by your iTunes video quality settings. If you’re watching Apple TV+ through an Apple TV 4K set box, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Select Apps
- Select iTunes Movies And TV Shows
- Click video resolution to toggle between your options
If you’re watching on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down to and tap on TV
- Tap iTunes Videos
Here you can set playback quality for both when you’re connected to WiFi and when you’re using Mobile Data
There’s no option to change video quality if you’re watching Apple TV+ in your web browser.
How to change video quality settings on Disney+
If you’re watching Disney+ on a console or a smart TV, follow these steps to adjust video quality:
- Open the sidebar menu
- Go to Settings
- Select App Settings
- Choose your quality
To adjust streaming quality of the Disney+ mobile app, follow these steps:
- Tap your profile icon in the bottom right hand corner
- Tap App Settings
- Tap Video Quality, and then choose your preference
There’s no option to adjust video quality if you’re watching Disney+ in a web browser.
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