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iPlayer help home
Getting started with BBC iPlayer
How do I set the video quality on my connected TV or games console?

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How do I set the video quality on my connected TV or games console?

Click on Settings in the left-hand menu:
Select Video Quality.
Choose either Best Quality ON or Best Quality OFF. If you switch it off, you'll get standard definition.

If you set Best Quality as the default, BBC iPlayer will still play the SD version for programmes that aren’t available in HD.

Image showing the video quality menu on the BBC iPlayer TV app. The Video Quality menu item is highlighted, and the setting shows Best Quality as ON.

What does Best Quality mean?

You'll see this if your connected TV device or games console s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). This allows you to get the best quality video your internet speed can . Video playback quality will adapt to the speed of your internet connection.

Need more help?

If you need to us about an issue then please provide your system settings info to help us investigate further. Check this page for a step-by-step guide on finding the system information: Where can I find system information for my connected TV or games console?

Select Video Quality
Choose either Best Quality ON or Best Quality OFF. If you switch it off, you'll get standard definition.

Related FAQs

Why does my video quality change by itself sometimes?
What channels can I watch live in HD?
What can I do to help with buffering or playback problems?

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