The Monster Archives

Archiving the Finest Media on the Finest Platforms

Setup Guides

To get the best experience, your player must be set to Direct Play.
Transcoding reduces quality and strains the server. Follow these guides to ensure maximum quality.

Plex (Windows / Mac)

Open Plex App (if installed)

This is the recommended application for the best performance on a PC or Mac. Do not use the web browser (e.g., Chrome) for playback.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • Go to the official Plex download page: plex.tv/downloads
    • Download the "Plex for Windows" (or "Plex for Mac") app.
    • Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Open the new "Plex" application.
    • Log in with your Plex username and password.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • In the Plex app, go to Settings (wrench icon).
    • Go to the Quality section.
    • Set "Video Quality" (Local Quality) to Maximum or Original.
    • This forces Direct Play and prevents transcoding.

Plex (Apple TV)

Open Plex App (if installed)

Ensure your Apple TV is set up for the best possible quality.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • On your Apple TV, go to the App Store.
    • Search for "Plex" and install the official app.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Open the Plex app.
    • It will show a 4-digit code. On your computer or phone, go to plex.tv/link and enter the code to sign in.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • In the Plex app on your Apple TV, navigate to your user icon and select Settings.
    • Go to the Video section.
    • Find Home Streaming (or "Local Quality").
    • Set this to Maximum or Original.

Plex (Android TV)

Open Plex App (if installed)

For devices like the NVIDIA Shield, Chromecast with Google TV, or Sony TVs.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • On your Android TV device, go to the Google Play Store.
    • Search for "Plex" and install the official app.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Open the Plex app and sign in with your account.
    • This may involve a 4-digit link code, similar to the Apple TV.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • In the Plex app, navigate to your user icon and select Settings.
    • Go to the Quality section.
    • Under "Video Quality", set Home streaming to Maximum or Original.

Plex (iOS - iPhone/iPad)

Open Plex App (if installed)

Optimize your mobile client to avoid unnecessary transcoding on your home network.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • On your iPhone or iPad, go to the App Store.
    • Search for "Plex" and download the official app.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Open the app and sign in with your Plex username and password.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • In the Plex app, tap your user icon and go to Settings.
    • Go to the Quality section.
    • Under "Video Quality", set Home Streaming to Maximum or Original.

Jellyfin (Windows / Mac)

Open Jellyfin App (if installed)

Use the "Jellyfin Media Player" client, not the web browser, for the best results.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • Go to the official Jellyfin client download page: jellyfin.org/downloads/clients
    • Find "Jellyfin Media Player" and download the "Windows (64-bit)" or "macOS" installer.
    • Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • When you first open the app, enter the server address: https://jellyfin.mnmoviemonsters.duckdns.org
    • Log in with your username and password.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • In the client, click the hamburger menu (top left) and select Client Settings.
    • Go to the Playback tab.
    • Set "Home network streaming video quality" to Max.
    • Set "Home network streaming audio quality" to Max.

Jellyfin (Android TV)

Open Jellyfin App (if installed)

This uses the official "Jellyfin for Android TV" client.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • On your Android TV, go to the Google Play Store.
    • Search for "Jellyfin" and install the official "Jellyfin for Android TV" app.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Add a new server and enter the address: https://jellyfin.mnmoviemonsters.duckdns.org
    • Log in with your username and password.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • From the Jellyfin home screen, navigate to the Settings cog icon.
    • Select Playback from the settings menu.
    • Set "Home network streaming" bitrate to the highest possible value (e.g., 120 Mbps) or "Max".

Jellyfin (Apple TV)

Open Swiftfin App (if installed)

The best client for Jellyfin on Apple TV is Swiftfin. The official "Jellyfin" app is not recommended.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • On your Apple TV, go to the App Store.
    • Search for and install Swiftfin (not "Jellyfin").
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Open Swiftfin. It will ask for your server address.
    • Enter: https://jellyfin.mnmoviemonsters.duckdns.org
    • Log in with your username and password.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • In Swiftfin, go to Settings.
    • Under Playback, set "Home Streaming" to Max.
    • Swiftfin will always attempt to Direct Play by default.

Jellyfin (Mobile - iOS/Android)

Open Jellyfin App (if installed)

For the official "Jellyfin" app on iOS or Android phones/tablets.

  1. Step 1: Download & Install
    • Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
    • Search for "Jellyfin" and install the official app.
  2. Step 2: Log In
    • Add your server and enter the address: https://jellyfin.mnmoviemonsters.duckdns.org
    • Log in with your username and password.
  3. Step 3: Set Quality (Direct Play)
    • Tap the hamburger menu (top left) and select Settings.
    • Go to Playback.
    • Set "Home network streaming" to Max.
    • This ensures Direct Play is used when you are on your local network.