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What is the Transcoder and when to use it?

The Transcoder is an advanced WhatPlay feature that converts videos in real-time to a universally playable format, allowing you to share content that would otherwise be incompatible with certain devices or streaming services.

What is it for?

The Transcoder has two main functions:

  • Format conversion: Transforms videos to a format compatible with any device (H.264/MP4)
  • Token removal: Removes access tokens and restrictions from the original video, allowing local streaming without authentication issues

When to use it?

The Transcoder is especially useful when:

  • You try to cast a video to Chromecast and the format is not compatible
  • The video has access tokens that prevent streaming
  • You want to share content via ServerCast but the original format doesn't play on other devices
  • You need to ensure maximum playback compatibility

Important requirements

⚠️ Critical requirements:

  • The WhatPlay app must remain open throughout the entire process
  • Battery saver must be disabled for WhatPlay
  • The phone must remain powered on (screen can turn off but device must stay active)
  • It's recommended to connect the device to a charger during transcoding

Performance considerations

⚡ Consumption warning:

  • Heating: The transcoding process is intensive and may heat up the device
  • Battery: Consumes significantly more battery than normal playback
  • Performance: May slow down other apps while active

Despite these drawbacks, some videos have no other option to be shared and played correctly on other devices. The Transcoder is the solution when other methods fail.

How to activate the Transcoder

  1. Select the video you want to share or cast to Chromecast
  2. If the format is not compatible, WhatPlay will automatically offer the Transcoder option
  3. You can also activate it manually from playback settings
  4. Make sure to disable battery saver for WhatPlay
  5. Keep the app open during the entire process

Tip: Use the Transcoder only when necessary. For videos in standard formats (MP4, H.264), direct playback will be more efficient.