> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/jellyfin/jellyfin/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Streaming > Direct play and streaming endpoints for audio and video content ## Overview The Streaming API provides endpoints for direct playback of audio and video content. These endpoints support both static streaming (direct file access) and dynamic transcoding based on client capabilities. ## Audio Stream Stream audio content with optional transcoding. ### Get Audio Stream ```http theme={null} GET /Audio/{itemId}/stream GET /Audio/{itemId}/stream.{container} ``` **Authentication:** Required The unique identifier of the audio item The audio container format (e.g., mp3, aac, flac, opus) If true, streams the original file without encoding. Use either no extension or the original file extension The media version id, if playing an alternate version The device id of the client requesting. Used to stop encoding processes when needed Specify an audio codec to encode to (e.g., mp3, aac, opus). If omitted, the server will auto-select using the URL's extension Specify an audio bitrate to encode to (e.g., 128000). If omitted, this will be left to encoder defaults Specify a specific number of audio channels to encode to (e.g., 2) Specify a maximum number of audio channels to encode to (e.g., 2) Specify a specific audio sample rate (e.g., 44100) The maximum audio bit depth Specify a starting offset, in ticks. 1 tick = 10000 ms (0.01ms) Whether to allow automatic stream copy if requested values match the original source Whether to allow copying of the audio stream URL Whether to enable Audio VBR (Variable Bit Rate) Encoding Audio file stream with appropriate MIME type **Response Codes:** * `200 OK` - Audio stream returned successfully * `401 Unauthorized` - Authentication required * `404 Not Found` - Item not found #### Example Request ```bash theme={null} curl -X GET "https://your-jellyfin-server/Audio/12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789abc/stream.mp3?audioBitRate=128000&audioChannels=2" \ -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY" ``` *** ## Video Stream Stream video content with optional transcoding. ### Get Video Stream ```http theme={null} GET /Videos/{itemId}/stream GET /Videos/{itemId}/stream.{container} ``` **Authentication:** Required The unique identifier of the video item The video container. Possible values: ts, webm, asf, wmv, ogv, mp4, m4v, mkv, mpeg, mpg, avi, 3gp, wtv, m2ts, mov, iso, flv If true, streams the original file without encoding The media version id, if playing an alternate version The device id of the client requesting Specify a video codec to encode to (e.g., h264, hevc, vp9). If omitted, the server will auto-select Specify an audio codec to encode to (e.g., aac, mp3, opus) Specify a video bitrate to encode to (e.g., 5000000). If omitted, left to encoder defaults Specify an audio bitrate to encode to (e.g., 128000) The fixed horizontal resolution of the encoded video The fixed vertical resolution of the encoded video The maximum horizontal resolution of the encoded video The maximum vertical resolution of the encoded video A specific video framerate to encode to (e.g., 23.976). Generally should be omitted unless device has specific requirements A specific maximum video framerate to encode to Specify a starting offset, in ticks. 1 tick = 10000 ms The index of the subtitle stream to use. If omitted, no subtitles will be used Specify the subtitle delivery method: `Encode`, `Embed`, `External`, `Hls` Video file stream with appropriate MIME type **Response Codes:** * `200 OK` - Video stream returned successfully * `400 Bad Request` - Invalid parameters or unsupported protocol * `401 Unauthorized` - Authentication required * `404 Not Found` - Item not found #### Example Request ```bash theme={null} curl -X GET "https://your-jellyfin-server/Videos/12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789abc/stream.mp4?videoBitRate=5000000&width=1920&height=1080" \ -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY" ``` *** ## Universal Audio Stream Intelligent audio streaming endpoint that automatically selects the best streaming method based on device capabilities. ### Get Universal Audio Stream ```http theme={null} GET /Audio/{itemId}/universal ``` **Authentication:** Required The unique identifier of the audio item Comma-delimited list of supported containers (e.g., "mp3,aac,flac") The media version id, if playing an alternate version The device id of the client requesting The user id (optional, defaults to authenticated user) The audio codec to transcode to The maximum number of audio channels The number of audio channels to transcode to The maximum streaming bitrate Specify an audio bitrate to encode to (e.g., 128000) Specify a starting offset, in ticks The container to transcode to The transcoding protocol: `http` or `hls` The maximum audio sample rate The maximum audio bit depth Whether to enable remote media Whether to enable Audio VBR Encoding Whether to enable redirection for remote streams **Response Codes:** * `200 OK` - Audio stream returned * `302 Found` - Redirected to remote audio stream * `404 Not Found` - Item not found #### Example Request ```bash theme={null} curl -X GET "https://your-jellyfin-server/Audio/12345678-1234-1234-1234-123456789abc/universal?container=mp3,aac&maxStreamingBitrate=192000" \ -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY" ``` *** ## Notes ### Ticks Jellyfin uses "ticks" as a time unit where 1 tick = 0.01 milliseconds = 10000 ticks per millisecond. This allows for high-precision timing. **Conversion:** * Milliseconds to Ticks: `milliseconds * 10000` * Seconds to Ticks: `seconds * 10000000` * Ticks to Milliseconds: `ticks / 10000` ### Static vs Dynamic Streaming **Static Streaming:** * Serves the original file without modification * Requires client to support the native format * Lower server resource usage * Faster startup time **Dynamic Streaming:** * Transcodes content on-the-fly * Adapts to client capabilities and network conditions * Higher server resource usage * More compatible with diverse clients ### HTTP Methods Most streaming endpoints support both: * `GET` - Returns the actual stream * `HEAD` - Returns headers only (useful for checking availability and getting metadata)