Fix picture and sound methodically

#Start with the smallest change

Open Settings → Playback & audio → Playback. Change one option, reopen the same test stream and compare. A failing subscription, unavailable server or exceeded connection limit is not a codec problem.

#Engines and buffer

Live TV player and Movies & series player can be chosen separately. The available engines depend on the build; mpv may not be included in every store build. Switch to mpv automatically retries certain format/picture failures, not bad credentials. Buffer trades faster startup against more protection from brief network interruptions and takes effect next app start.

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#No sound or audio drift

For no sound, first try a different audio track. If Send Dolby and DTS to my receiver is enabled, disable it when the receiver cannot decode that format. Surround to stereo can help when a box incorrectly reports multi-channel support. For gradual drift, try the manual re-sync in the player’s Audio tab. Enable Auto re-sync audio only if drift actually recurs; it briefly restarts decoders.

#Judder, black flashes and HDR

Match display to video can reduce frame-rate judder, but switching display modes can briefly black out the screen. Device/TV support varies. Force Dolby Vision as HDR10 is a workaround for a Dolby Vision-capable TV rendering those files incorrectly; it discards dynamic metadata. A TV without Dolby Vision generally does not need that workaround.

#Audio language and playback actions

Audio Languages sets ordered preferences; first available wins and Original (VO) requests the title’s original language when identified. In the player, open Audio for track selection and available sync controls. Stream details on screen helps identify the actual resolution/format/engine. Auto-next and skip-intro controls affect episodes, not source availability.

#Preferred audio for movies and series

Audio Languages is an ordered list of soundtrack preferences, separate from the language used for interface text or metadata. When the stream exposes language-tagged tracks, the player selects an available preferred track. A preferred track discovered later can replace an automatic fallback.

1. Open Settings → Playback & audio → Playback → Audio Languages.
2. Put your preferred language first, followed by acceptable alternatives.
3. Open a movie or episode with multiple audio tracks, then inspect Audio in the player.
4. Select a track manually when you want a title or series to keep a different choice.