Stream instantly, no download required

When you add a file to Seedr, you don't have to wait for it to download to your device before watching. Our built-in player streams content directly from our servers using HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) — the same technology Netflix and YouTube use. Click play, and video starts within seconds.

This approach saves you time, storage space, and bandwidth. A 10GB movie? Stream it without using 10GB of your phone's storage. Watch the first few minutes to decide if you like it before committing to a full download. Scrub through a long video to find the part you need. The player only fetches the segments you actually watch.

And because the video streams from Seedr's servers rather than your device doing the work, you get consistent quality regardless of the file format. We handle the transcoding and optimization behind the scenes.

Video Player

Our video player is built for real-world use. It handles the formats people actually have, not just the ideal cases. You don't need to worry about codecs or containers — if Seedr can store it, Seedr can stream it.

Format Support

• Container formats: MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WebM, FLV, WMV, M4V, MPEG, 3GP, OGV, and more. MKV files with embedded subtitles work fully. Multi-audio track switching available on v2.
• Video codecs: H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), VP8, VP9, AV1 (where browser supports it), MPEG-4, MPEG-2, WMV. Most common encodings just work. Exotic codecs get transcoded automatically.
• Audio codecs: AAC, MP3, AC3, DTS (converted for browser playback), FLAC, Opus, Vorbis. Multi-channel audio preserved where possible.
• Subtitles: External SRT and VTT files, embedded subtitles in MKV containers. Subtitle sync adjustment lets you offset timing if audio and subs don't match up (+/- seconds in fine increments).

Player Features

The player does everything you'd expect from a modern video player, plus some features you might not expect from browser-based streaming:

• Adaptive bitrate streaming: Quality adjusts automatically based on your connection speed. Start watching immediately at low quality while higher quality loads, then seamlessly upgrade. If your connection degrades, the player drops quality instead of buffering.
• Manual quality selector: Override automatic quality selection. Available options depend on your plan and whether you're on v1 or v2.
• Playback speed control: 0.5x for detailed viewing, 1.25x or 1.5x to get through content faster, 2x if you're in a hurry. Speed changes without pitch distortion on audio.
• Picture-in-Picture (v2): Pop the video out into a floating window that stays on top. Keep watching while browsing other tabs, reading email, or working in other apps.
• Theater mode: Enlarges the player to fill most of your browser window without going full-screen. Great when you want a bigger picture but still need access to your browser tabs or OS taskbar.
• Fullscreen: True fullscreen mode with no browser UI. On mobile, automatically locks to landscape orientation.
• Resume playback (v2): Close a video partway through, and Seedr remembers your position. Come back hours or days later and pick up exactly where you left off. Works across devices — pause on your laptop, resume on your phone.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Space to play/pause, arrow keys to seek, M to mute, F for fullscreen. Power users can control playback without touching the mouse.
• Chromecast integration: Cast to your TV with one tap. Full remote control from your phone or computer. Details in the "Cast to Your TV" section below.

v1 vs v2: A Major Streaming Upgrade

Seedr v2 brings significant streaming improvements over v1:

Learn more about v2 features →

Quality by Plan

Maximum streaming quality depends on your subscription:

• Free: Up to 360p.
• Premium plans: Higher resolutions on v2 — up to 1080p, 1440p, or 2160p depending on your plan tier.

If the source file is lower quality than your plan allows, you'll get the source quality. We don't upscale.

How Video Conversion Works

Not all video formats can stream directly in browsers. When you add a file that needs conversion, Seedr processes it in the background. You'll see conversion progress in the interface. Conversion time depends on file size and complexity, but most videos are ready within minutes. Once converted, streaming is instant.

Common formats like MP4 with H.264 often stream immediately without conversion. MKV and other container formats may need processing. The system handles this automatically — you don't need to understand the technical details.

Audio Player

Seedr handles audio files too. Stream your music collection from the cloud without syncing files between devices or managing local storage.

• Continuous PlaybackSongs play one after another. Queue up a folder and let it play through.
• Queue ManagementAdd, remove, and reorder tracks in your current queue.
• Metadata DisplayAlbum art, track title, artist, album — displayed when available.
• Chromecast SupportCast audio to Chromecast-enabled speakers or your TV.

The audio player shares controls with the video player when casting — a single cast session means you can switch between audio and video content without reconnecting.

Document Viewers

Seedr isn't just for media files. Built-in viewers handle documents, code, and more — all viewable directly in your browser without downloading.

Cast to Your TV

Your phone or laptop is convenient for browsing and managing files. Your TV is better for actually watching. Seedr bridges the gap with native casting support and integrations with major home theater platforms.

Chromecast (Built-in)

Our video player includes native Chromecast support. When a Chromecast device is on your network, a cast button appears in the player. Tap it, select your device, and video moves to your TV in seconds.

Your phone or computer becomes a remote control:

• Play, pause, seek to any position
• Volume control (including mute)
• Quality switching — change quality without interrupting playback (options depend on plan)
• Subtitle selection and sync timing adjustment
• Queue management — line up what to watch next

State synchronizes bidirectionally. Pause on your phone, it pauses on TV. If someone adjusts volume on the TV, your phone shows the change. Connection recovery is automatic — if your phone briefly loses WiFi, it reconnects and resumes control.

Media Server Integration

For dedicated home theater setups, connect Seedr to your media server software. Your Seedr library becomes another source in your existing media ecosystem:

• PlexMount Seedr via WebDAV or FTP. Automatic metadata, artwork, and organization for any Plex client. WebDAV guide → | FTP guide →
• JellyfinOpen-source, self-hosted alternative to Plex. Same WebDAV connection, full control. Jellyfin + Seedr guide →
• KodiOfficial Seedr addon for any Kodi device: Raspberry Pi, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, and more. Kodi addon →
• RokuDedicated Seedr channel for native access. Browse and stream without needing a phone. Roku setup →

Streaming vs. Downloading: When to Use Each

Seedr supports both streaming and direct download. Here's when to use each:

You can do both. Stream to decide if you like it, then download if you want to keep it. The file stays in your Seedr storage either way. Read our detailed comparison →

Offline Viewing (v2)

Going somewhere without internet? Seedr v2 supports offline caching:

• Quality selection: Choose from 360p to 2160p (plan-limited). Lower quality = smaller files.
• Play while downloading: Start watching immediately as the video caches.
• Pin videos: Pinned content won't be auto-cleaned. Unpinned uses LRU cleanup when space is needed.

Premium members get instant v2 access.

Streaming Comparison

Common Questions

What video formats can I stream?

Virtually all of them. MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WebM, WMV, FLV, and more. Common codecs like H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9 play natively. Less common formats are automatically transcoded in the background. If Seedr can store it, Seedr can stream it.

Why does my video need "conversion"?

Web browsers can only play certain codecs directly. When you upload a video that browsers can't handle natively (like some MKV files with DTS audio), we convert it to a streamable format. This happens automatically in the background. Once converted, playback is instant.

Can I stream in high quality?

Yes, on Seedr v2 with a Premium plan. Free accounts stream at 360p. Premium unlocks higher resolutions on v2, including 1080p and above. The player also offers manual quality selection — useful when you want to save bandwidth or when your connection varies.

Do subtitles work?

Yes. The player handles external SRT and VTT files, plus subtitles embedded in MKV containers. If subs are out of sync with audio, use the timing adjustment control to offset them by seconds or fractions of a second.

Can I cast to my TV?

Built-in Chromecast support — tap the cast icon when a device is on your network. For more advanced setups, connect Seedr to Plex, Jellyfin, Kodi, or Roku. Your Seedr library becomes a source in your existing media system.

Why is the video buffering?

Usually a connection issue. The player uses adaptive bitrate streaming, so it should adjust quality automatically. If buffering persists, try manually selecting a lower quality option.

Can I download the original file?

Yes. Streaming and downloading are both options. Stream to preview or watch casually; download when you need the original file or want it offline. The file stays in your Seedr storage either way.

Does audio streaming work?

Yes. MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG, and most audio formats play in our audio player. Continuous playback, queue management, metadata display with album art. Cast audio to Chromecast-enabled speakers too.

Can I read documents without downloading?

Yes. Built-in viewers for PDF, EPUB (ebooks), code files (with syntax highlighting), spreadsheets, and images. Browse archives (ZIP, RAR, 7Z) and selectively download individual files from inside them.

How much bandwidth does streaming use?

Depends on quality. Lower quality uses less data; higher quality uses more. The adaptive player adjusts automatically based on your connection speed.

Why am I stuck at 360p?

Quality is limited by plan and version. Free accounts max at 360p. To unlock higher quality (720p to 4K), upgrade to a paid plan and use Seedr v2. Premium members get instant v2 access — no waitlist.

My video says "converting" and won't play

Some files need transcoding before streaming. This usually takes a few minutes. You can often start watching partway through conversion. If it's stuck for a long time, the file might have an unusual codec — contact support.

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