Streaming Technology
Streaming Codecs Explained: H.264, HEVC, VP9 and AV1
What video and audio codecs are, how H.264, HEVC, VP9 and AV1 compare, why device support varies, and how codecs affect streaming quality and compatibility.
Computers are flexible streaming devices: they run every major browser, desktop apps and general-purpose media players, and they connect easily to a TV or monitor. That flexibility also means more settings that can go wrong. This guide explains how to choose between browser and app, which settings affect playback quality, and how to fix common problems on Windows and macOS.
Browser or app?
Most streaming services work in a web browser, and some also offer desktop apps.
- Browsers need no installation and update themselves. However, maximum quality can depend on the browser. Some services restrict the highest resolutions to particular browsers or apps because of copy-protection (DRM) support. If a service publishes a list of supported browsers and maximum resolutions, follow it.
- Desktop apps (from the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store or the provider’s official site) can offer downloads for offline viewing and sometimes higher quality.
If you are unsure, start with the browser the service recommends and switch only if you need a feature the app offers.
Settings that affect playback
Hardware acceleration
Modern computers decode video using dedicated hardware in the graphics chip, which is far more efficient than the main processor. In Chrome and Edge, hardware acceleration is enabled by default under Settings › System. If video stutters or shows a green or black screen, toggling this setting off and on (and restarting the browser) is a classic fix — sometimes the driver is the problem, sometimes the setting.
Graphics drivers and system updates
On Windows, keep graphics drivers updated through Windows Update or the GPU manufacturer’s tool. On macOS, drivers come with system updates. Outdated drivers are a common cause of playback errors and poor HDR behaviour. Diagnosing video playback errors covers error codes in more depth.
HDR on Windows
If you have an HDR-capable display, Windows has an HDR switch under Settings › System › Display. HDR streaming on a PC depends on the display, the graphics hardware, the browser or app and the service, so check each service’s requirements. When HDR is on, standard content can look dim on some displays; Windows includes an SDR content brightness slider to compensate.
Power settings
Laptops on battery may reduce performance to save power, which can cause dropped frames. For long sessions, plug in or choose a balanced or performance power mode.
Using a general-purpose media player
Desktop media players such as VLC can open network streams and playlist files, including M3U playlists provided by a service you subscribe to. In VLC, this is under Media › Open Network Stream on Windows or File › Open Network on macOS.
Only open playlists from services you are authorised to use. M3U playlists and EPG guides explained describes what these files contain. IPTVNomad customers can follow the Windows and macOS setup guide.
Codec support
If a file or stream plays without picture or without sound, the computer may lack a decoder for the codec used. Browsers support a defined set of codecs, while media players bundle many more. Video codecs explained covers H.264, HEVC, VP9 and AV1, and why support varies by device.
Connecting a computer to a TV
The simplest option is an HDMI cable from the computer (or a USB-C to HDMI adapter) to the TV. Then:
- Choose whether to duplicate or extend the display (Windows key + P on Windows; System Settings › Displays on macOS).
- Set the output resolution to the TV’s native resolution.
- Check sound is going to the TV: on Windows use the sound icon in the taskbar; on macOS, System Settings › Sound › Output.
Wireless options exist (Miracast on many Windows PCs, AirPlay from a Mac to an Apple TV or compatible TV), but they depend on Wi-Fi quality and can add delay.
Network tips for computers
Desktops can usually be wired with Ethernet, which removes Wi-Fi as a variable. Laptops on Wi-Fi benefit from being near the router and on the 5 GHz band. Large background downloads — game updates, cloud backups — can starve a stream of bandwidth; pause them if playback suffers.
Quick fixes for choppy playback
| Symptom | Try |
|---|---|
| Stutter in one browser only | Toggle hardware acceleration; try another browser |
| Low resolution despite fast internet | Check the service’s browser/resolution requirements |
| Black screen with sound | Update graphics drivers; disable browser extensions |
| Audio out of sync | Restart the browser; check Bluetooth audio delay |
| Constant buffering | Check for background downloads; fix buffering |
Summing up
Use the browser or app your service recommends, keep graphics drivers and the system updated, and treat hardware acceleration as the first setting to check when video misbehaves. For TV viewing, a plain HDMI cable remains the most reliable way to get a computer’s picture onto the big screen.