Advanced Usage ============== Sunshine will work with the default settings for most users. In some cases you may want to configure Sunshine further. Performance Tips ---------------- .. tab:: AMD In Windows, enabling `Enhanced Sync` in AMD's settings may help reduce the latency by an additional frame. This applies to `amfenc` and `libx264`. .. tab:: NVIDIA Enabling `Fast Sync` in Nvidia settings may help reduce latency. Configuration ------------- The default location for the configuration file is listed below. You can use another location if you choose, by passing in the full configuration file path as the first argument when you start Sunshine. The default location of the ``apps.json`` is the same as the configuration file. You can use a custom location by modifying the configuration file. **Default File Location** .. table:: :widths: auto ========= =========== Value Description ========= =========== Docker /config/ Linux ~/.config/sunshine/ macOS ~/.config/sunshine/ Windows %ProgramFiles%\\Sunshine\\config ========= =========== **Example** .. code-block:: bash sunshine ~/sunshine_config.conf Although it is recommended to use the configuration UI, it is possible manually configure sunshine by editing the `conf` file in a text editor. Use the examples as reference. `General `__ ----------------------------------------------------- `sunshine_name `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The name displayed by Moonlight **Default** PC hostname **Example** .. code-block:: text sunshine_name = Sunshine `min_log_level `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The minimum log level printed to standard out. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ======= =========== Value Description ======= =========== verbose verbose logging debug debug logging info info logging warning warning logging error error logging fatal fatal logging none no logging ======= =========== **Default** ``info`` **Example** .. code-block:: text min_log_level = info `global_prep_cmd `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** A list of commands to be run before/after all applications. If any of the prep-commands fail, starting the application is aborted. **Default** ``[]`` **Example** .. code-block:: text global_prep_cmd = [{"do":"nircmd.exe setdisplay 1280 720 32 144","undo":"nircmd.exe setdisplay 2560 1440 32 144"}] `Files `__ ------------------------------------------------- `file_apps `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The application configuration file path. The file contains a json formatted list of applications that can be started by Moonlight. **Default** OS and package dependent **Example** .. code-block:: text file_apps = apps.json `credentials_file `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The file where user credentials for the UI are stored. **Default** ``sunshine_state.json`` **Example** .. code-block:: text credentials_file = sunshine_state.json `log_path `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The path where the sunshine log is stored. **Default** ``sunshine.log`` **Example** .. code-block:: text log_path = sunshine.log `pkey `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The private key used for the web UI and Moonlight client pairing. For best compatibility, this should be an RSA-2048 private key. .. warning:: Not all Moonlight clients support ECDSA keys or RSA key lengths other than 2048 bits. **Default** ``credentials/cakey.pem`` **Example** .. code-block:: text pkey = /dir/pkey.pem `cert `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The certificate used for the web UI and Moonlight client pairing. For best compatibility, this should have an RSA-2048 public key. .. warning:: Not all Moonlight clients support ECDSA keys or RSA key lengths other than 2048 bits. **Default** ``credentials/cacert.pem`` **Example** .. code-block:: text cert = /dir/cert.pem `file_state `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The file where current state of Sunshine is stored. **Default** ``sunshine_state.json`` **Example** .. code-block:: text file_state = sunshine_state.json `Input `__ ------------------------------------------------- `controller `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Whether to allow controller input from the client. **Example** .. code-block:: text controller = enabled `gamepad `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The type of gamepad to emulate on the host. .. caution:: Applies to Windows only. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== auto Selected based on information from client x360 Xbox 360 controller ds4 DualShock 4 controller (PS4) ===== =========== **Default** ``auto`` **Example** .. code-block:: text gamepad = auto `ds4_back_as_touchpad_click `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** .. hint:: Only applies when gamepad is set to ds4 manually. Unused in other gamepad modes. Allow Select/Back inputs to also trigger DS4 touchpad click. Useful for clients looking to emulate touchpad click on Xinput devices. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text ds4_back_as_touchpad_click = enabled `motion_as_ds4 `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** .. hint:: Only applies when gamepad is set to auto. If a client reports that a connected gamepad has motion sensor support, emulate it on the host as a DS4 controller. When disabled, motion sensors will not be taken into account during gamepad type selection. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text motion_as_ds4 = enabled `touchpad_as_ds4 `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** .. hint:: Only applies when gamepad is set to auto. If a client reports that a connected gamepad has a touchpad, emulate it on the host as a DS4 controller. When disabled, touchpad presence will not be taken into account during gamepad type selection. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text touchpad_as_ds4 = enabled `back_button_timeout `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** If the Back/Select button is held down for the specified number of milliseconds, a Home/Guide button press is emulated. .. tip:: If back_button_timeout < 0, then the Home/Guide button will not be emulated. **Default** ``-1`` **Example** .. code-block:: text back_button_timeout = 2000 `keyboard `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Whether to allow keyboard input from the client. **Example** .. code-block:: text keyboard = enabled `key_repeat_delay `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The initial delay, in milliseconds, before repeating keys. Controls how fast keys will repeat themselves. **Default** ``500`` **Example** .. code-block:: text key_repeat_delay = 500 `key_repeat_frequency `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** How often keys repeat every second. .. tip:: This configurable option supports decimals. **Default** ``24.9`` **Example** .. code-block:: text key_repeat_frequency = 24.9 `always_send_scancodes `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Sending scancodes enhances compatibility with games and apps but may result in incorrect keyboard input from certain clients that aren't using a US English keyboard layout. Enable if keyboard input is not working at all in certain applications. Disable if keys on the client are generating the wrong input on the host. .. caution:: Applies to Windows only. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text always_send_scancodes = enabled `key_rightalt_to_key_win `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** It may be possible that you cannot send the Windows Key from Moonlight directly. In those cases it may be useful to make Sunshine think the Right Alt key is the Windows key. **Default** ``disabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text key_rightalt_to_key_win = enabled `mouse `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Whether to allow mouse input from the client. **Example** .. code-block:: text mouse = enabled `high_resolution_scrolling `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** When enabled, Sunshine will pass through high resolution scroll events from Moonlight clients. This can be useful to disable for older applications that scroll too fast with high resolution scroll events. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text high_resolution_scrolling = enabled `native_pen_touch `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** When enabled, Sunshine will pass through native pen/touch events from Moonlight clients. This can be useful to disable for older applications without native pen/touch support. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text native_pen_touch = enabled keybindings ^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Sometimes it may be useful to map keybindings. Wayland won't allow clients to capture the Win Key for example. .. tip:: See `virtual key codes `__ .. hint:: keybindings needs to have a multiple of two elements. **Default** .. code-block:: text [ 0x10, 0xA0, 0x11, 0xA2, 0x12, 0xA4 ] **Example** .. code-block:: text keybindings = [ 0x10, 0xA0, 0x11, 0xA2, 0x12, 0xA4, 0x4A, 0x4B ] .. note:: This option is not available in the UI. A PR would be welcome. `Audio/Video `__ ------------------------------------------------------------- `audio_sink `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The name of the audio sink used for audio loopback. .. tip:: To find the name of the audio sink follow these instructions. **Linux + pulseaudio** .. code-block:: bash pacmd list-sinks | grep "name:" **Linux + pipewire** .. code-block:: bash pactl info | grep Source # in some causes you'd need to use the `Sink` device, if `Source` doesn't work, so try: pactl info | grep Sink **macOS** Sunshine can only access microphones on macOS due to system limitations. To stream system audio use `Soundflower `__ or `BlackHole `__. **Windows** .. code-block:: batch tools\audio-info.exe .. tip:: If you have multiple audio devices with identical names, use the Device ID instead. .. tip:: If you want to mute the host speakers, use `virtual_sink`_ instead. **Default** Sunshine will select the default audio device. **Examples** **Linux** .. code-block:: text audio_sink = alsa_output.pci-0000_09_00.3.analog-stereo **macOS** .. code-block:: text audio_sink = BlackHole 2ch **Windows** .. code-block:: text audio_sink = Speakers (High Definition Audio Device) `virtual_sink `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The audio device that's virtual, like Steam Streaming Speakers. This allows Sunshine to stream audio, while muting the speakers. .. tip:: See `audio_sink`_! .. tip:: These are some options for virtual sound devices. - Stream Streaming Speakers (Linux, macOS, Windows) - Steam must be installed. - Enable `install_steam_audio_drivers`_ or use Steam Remote Play at least once to install the drivers. - `Virtual Audio Cable `__ (macOS, Windows) **Example** .. code-block:: text virtual_sink = Steam Streaming Speakers `install_steam_audio_drivers `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Installs the Steam Streaming Speakers driver (if Steam is installed) to support surround sound and muting host audio. .. tip:: This option is only supported on Windows. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text install_steam_audio_drivers = enabled `adapter_name `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Select the video card you want to stream. .. tip:: To find the name of the appropriate values follow these instructions. **Linux + VA-API** Unlike with `amdvce` and `nvenc`, it doesn't matter if video encoding is done on a different GPU. .. code-block:: bash ls /dev/dri/renderD* # to find all devices capable of VAAPI # replace ``renderD129`` with the device from above to lists the name and capabilities of the device vainfo --display drm --device /dev/dri/renderD129 | \ grep -E "((VAProfileH264High|VAProfileHEVCMain|VAProfileHEVCMain10).*VAEntrypointEncSlice)|Driver version" To be supported by Sunshine, it needs to have at the very minimum: ``VAProfileH264High : VAEntrypointEncSlice`` .. todo:: macOS **Windows** .. code-block:: batch tools\dxgi-info.exe .. note:: For hybrid graphics systems, DXGI reports the outputs are connected to whichever graphics adapter that the application is configured to use, so it's not a reliable indicator of how the display is physically connected. **Default** Sunshine will select the default video card. **Examples** **Linux** .. code-block:: text adapter_name = /dev/dri/renderD128 .. todo:: macOS **Windows** .. code-block:: text adapter_name = Radeon RX 580 Series `output_name `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Select the display number you want to stream. .. tip:: To find the name of the appropriate values follow these instructions. **Linux** During Sunshine startup, you should see the list of detected monitors: .. code-block:: text Info: Detecting connected monitors Info: Detected monitor 0: DVI-D-0, connected: false Info: Detected monitor 1: HDMI-0, connected: true Info: Detected monitor 2: DP-0, connected: true Info: Detected monitor 3: DP-1, connected: false Info: Detected monitor 4: DVI-D-1, connected: false You need to use the value before the colon in the output, e.g. ``1``. .. todo:: macOS **Windows** .. code-block:: batch tools\dxgi-info.exe **Default** Sunshine will select the default display. **Examples** **Linux** .. code-block:: text output_name = 0 .. todo:: macOS **Windows** .. code-block:: text output_name = \\.\DISPLAY1 `resolutions `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The resolutions advertised by Sunshine. .. note:: Some versions of Moonlight, such as Moonlight-nx (Switch), rely on this list to ensure that the requested resolution is supported. **Default** .. code-block:: text [ 352x240, 480x360, 858x480, 1280x720, 1920x1080, 2560x1080, 3440x1440, 1920x1200, 3840x2160, 3840x1600, ] **Example** .. code-block:: text resolutions = [ 352x240, 480x360, 858x480, 1280x720, 1920x1080, 2560x1080, 3440x1440, 1920x1200, 3840x2160, 3840x1600, ] `fps `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The fps modes advertised by Sunshine. .. note:: Some versions of Moonlight, such as Moonlight-nx (Switch), rely on this list to ensure that the requested fps is supported. **Default** ``[10, 30, 60, 90, 120]`` **Example** .. code-block:: text fps = [10, 30, 60, 90, 120] `Network `__ ----------------------------------------------------- `address_family `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Set the address family that Sunshine will use. .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== ipv4 IPv4 only both IPv4+IPv6 ===== =========== **Default** ``ipv4`` **Example** .. code-block:: text address_family = both `port `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Set the family of ports used by Sunshine. Changing this value will offset other ports per the table below. .. table:: :widths: auto ================ ============ =========================== Port Description Default Port Difference from config port ================ ============ =========================== HTTPS 47984 TCP -5 HTTP 47989 TCP 0 Web 47990 TCP +1 RTSP 48010 TCP +21 Video 47998 UDP +9 Control 47999 UDP +10 Audio 48000 UDP +11 Mic (unused) 48002 UDP +13 ================ ============ =========================== .. attention:: Custom ports may not be supported by all Moonlight clients. **Default** ``47989`` **Range** ``1029-65514`` **Example** .. code-block:: text port = 47989 `origin_web_ui_allowed `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The origin of the remote endpoint address that is not denied for HTTPS Web UI. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== pc Only localhost may access the web ui lan Only LAN devices may access the web ui wan Anyone may access the web ui ===== =========== **Default** ``lan`` **Example** .. code-block:: text origin_web_ui_allowed = lan `upnp `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Sunshine will attempt to open ports for streaming over the internet. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== on enable UPnP off disable UPnP ===== =========== **Default** ``disabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text upnp = on `external_ip `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** If no external IP address is given, Sunshine will attempt to automatically detect external ip-address. **Default** Automatic **Example** .. code-block:: text external_ip = 123.456.789.12 `lan_encryption_mode `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** This determines when encryption will be used when streaming over your local network. .. warning:: Encryption can reduce streaming performance, particularly on less powerful hosts and clients. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== 0 encryption will not be used 1 encryption will be used if the client supports it 2 encryption is mandatory and unencrypted connections are rejected ===== =========== **Default** ``0`` **Example** .. code-block:: text lan_encryption_mode = 0 `wan_encryption_mode `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** This determines when encryption will be used when streaming over the Internet. .. warning:: Encryption can reduce streaming performance, particularly on less powerful hosts and clients. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== 0 encryption will not be used 1 encryption will be used if the client supports it 2 encryption is mandatory and unencrypted connections are rejected ===== =========== **Default** ``1`` **Example** .. code-block:: text wan_encryption_mode = 1 `ping_timeout `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** How long to wait, in milliseconds, for data from Moonlight before shutting down the stream. **Default** ``10000`` **Example** .. code-block:: text ping_timeout = 10000 `Advanced `__ ------------------------------------------------------- `channels `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** This will generate distinct video streams, unlike simply broadcasting to multiple Clients. When multicasting, it could be useful to have different configurations for each connected Client. For instance: - Clients connected through WAN and LAN have different bitrate constraints. - Decoders may require different settings for color. .. warning:: CPU usage increases for each distinct video stream generated. **Default** ``1`` **Example** .. code-block:: text channels = 1 `fec_percentage `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Percentage of error correcting packets per data packet in each video frame. .. warning:: Higher values can correct for more network packet loss, but at the cost of increasing bandwidth usage. **Default** ``20`` **Range** ``1-255`` **Example** .. code-block:: text fec_percentage = 20 `qp `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Quantization Parameter. Some devices don't support Constant Bit Rate. For those devices, QP is used instead. .. warning:: Higher value means more compression, but less quality. **Default** ``28`` **Example** .. code-block:: text qp = 28 `min_threads `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Minimum number of CPU threads used for encoding. .. note:: Increasing the value slightly reduces encoding efficiency, but the tradeoff is usually worth it to gain the use of more CPU cores for encoding. The ideal value is the lowest value that can reliably encode at your desired streaming settings on your hardware. **Default** ``2`` **Example** .. code-block:: text min_threads = 2 `hevc_mode `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Allows the client to request HEVC Main or HEVC Main10 video streams. .. warning:: HEVC is more CPU-intensive to encode, so enabling this may reduce performance when using software encoding. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== 0 advertise support for HEVC based on encoder capabilities (recommended) 1 do not advertise support for HEVC 2 advertise support for HEVC Main profile 3 advertise support for HEVC Main and Main10 (HDR) profiles ===== =========== **Default** ``0`` **Example** .. code-block:: text hevc_mode = 2 `av1_mode `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Allows the client to request AV1 Main 8-bit or 10-bit video streams. .. warning:: AV1 is more CPU-intensive to encode, so enabling this may reduce performance when using software encoding. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ===== =========== Value Description ===== =========== 0 advertise support for AV1 based on encoder capabilities (recommended) 1 do not advertise support for AV1 2 advertise support for AV1 Main 8-bit profile 3 advertise support for AV1 Main 8-bit and 10-bit (HDR) profiles ===== =========== **Default** ``0`` **Example** .. code-block:: text av1_mode = 2 `capture `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Force specific screen capture method. .. caution:: Applies to Linux only. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========= =========== Value Description ========= =========== nvfbc Use NVIDIA Frame Buffer Capture to capture direct to GPU memory. This is usually the fastest method for NVIDIA cards. For GeForce cards it will only work with drivers patched with `nvidia-patch `__ or `nvlax `__. wlr Capture for wlroots based Wayland compositors via DMA-BUF. kms DRM/KMS screen capture from the kernel. This requires that sunshine has cap_sys_admin capability. See :ref:`Linux Setup `. x11 Uses XCB. This is the slowest and most CPU intensive so should be avoided if possible. ========= =========== **Default** Automatic. Sunshine will use the first capture method available in the order of the table above. **Example** .. code-block:: text capture = kms `encoder `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Force a specific encoder. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========= =========== Value Description ========= =========== nvenc For NVIDIA graphics cards quicksync For Intel graphics cards amdvce For AMD graphics cards software Encoding occurs on the CPU ========= =========== **Default** Sunshine will use the first encoder that is available. **Example** .. code-block:: text encoder = nvenc `NVIDIA NVENC Encoder `__ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- `nvenc_preset `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** NVENC encoder performance preset. Higher numbers improve compression (quality at given bitrate) at the cost of increased encoding latency. Recommended to change only when limited by network or decoder, otherwise similar effect can be accomplished by increasing bitrate. .. note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== 1 P1 (fastest) 2 P2 3 P3 4 P4 5 P5 6 P6 7 P7 (slowest) ========== =========== **Default** ``1`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_preset = 1 `nvenc_twopass `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Enable two-pass mode in NVENC encoder. This allows to detect more motion vectors, better distribute bitrate across the frame and more strictly adhere to bitrate limits. Disabling it is not recommended since this can lead to occasional bitrate overshoot and subsequent packet loss. .. note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto =========== =========== Value Description =========== =========== disabled One pass (fastest) quarter_res Two passes, first pass at quarter resolution (faster) full_res Two passes, first pass at full resolution (slower) =========== =========== **Default** ``quarter_res`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_twopass = quarter_res `nvenc_spatial_aq `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Assign higher QP values to flat regions of the video. Recommended to enable when streaming at lower bitrates. .. Note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== disabled Don't enable Spatial AQ (faster) enabled Enable Spatial AQ (slower) ========== =========== **Default** ``disabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_spatial_aq = disabled `nvenc_vbv_increase `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Single-frame VBV/HRD percentage increase. By default sunshine uses single-frame VBV/HRD, which means any encoded video frame size is not expected to exceed requested bitrate divided by requested frame rate. Relaxing this restriction can be beneficial and act as low-latency variable bitrate, but may also lead to packet loss if the network doesn't have buffer headroom to handle bitrate spikes. Maximum accepted value is 400, which corresponds to 5x increased encoded video frame upper size limit. .. Note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. .. Warning:: Can lead to network packet loss. **Default** ``0`` **Range** ``0-400`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_vbv_increase = 0 `nvenc_realtime_hags `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Use realtime gpu scheduling priority in NVENC when hardware accelerated gpu scheduling (HAGS) is enabled in Windows. Currently NVIDIA drivers may freeze in encoder when HAGS is enabled, realtime priority is used and VRAM utilization is close to maximum. Disabling this option lowers the priority to high, sidestepping the freeze at the cost of reduced capture performance when the GPU is heavily loaded. .. note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. .. caution:: Applies to Windows only. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== disabled Use high priority enabled Use realtime priority ========== =========== **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_realtime_hags = enabled `nvenc_latency_over_power `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Adaptive P-State algorithm which NVIDIA drivers employ doesn't work well with low latency streaming, so sunshine requests high power mode explicitly. .. Note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. .. Warning:: Disabling it is not recommended since this can lead to significantly increased encoding latency. .. Caution:: Applies to Windows only. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== disabled Sunshine doesn't change GPU power preferences (not recommended) enabled Sunshine requests high power mode explicitly ========== =========== **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_latency_over_power = enabled `nvenc_opengl_vulkan_on_dxgi `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Sunshine can't capture fullscreen OpenGL and Vulkan programs at full frame rate unless they present on top of DXGI. This is system-wide setting that is reverted on sunshine program exit. .. Note:: This option only applies when using NVENC `encoder`_. .. Caution:: Applies to Windows only. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== disabled Sunshine leaves global Vulkan/OpenGL present method unchanged enabled Sunshine changes global Vulkan/OpenGL present method to "Prefer layered on DXGI Swapchain" ========== =========== **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_opengl_vulkan_on_dxgi = enabled `nvenc_h264_cavlc `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Prefer CAVLC entropy coding over CABAC in H.264 when using NVENC. CAVLC is outdated and needs around 10% more bitrate for same quality, but provides slightly faster decoding when using software decoder. .. note:: This option only applies when using H.264 format with NVENC `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== disabled Prefer CABAC enabled Prefer CAVLC ========== =========== **Default** ``disabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text nvenc_h264_cavlc = disabled `Intel QuickSync Encoder `__ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- `qsv_preset `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The encoder preset to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using quicksync `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== veryfast fastest (lowest quality) faster faster (lower quality) fast fast (low quality) medium medium (default) slow slow (good quality) slower slower (better quality) veryslow slowest (best quality) ========== =========== **Default** ``medium`` **Example** .. code-block:: text qsv_preset = medium `qsv_coder `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The entropy encoding to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using H264 with quicksync `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== auto let ffmpeg decide cabac context adaptive binary arithmetic coding - higher quality cavlc context adaptive variable-length coding - faster decode ========== =========== **Default** ``auto`` **Example** .. code-block:: text qsv_coder = auto `AMD AMF Encoder `__ --------------------------------------------------------------------- `amd_quality `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The encoder preset to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using amdvce `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== speed prefer speed balanced balanced quality prefer quality ========== =========== **Default** ``balanced`` **Example** .. code-block:: text amd_quality = balanced `amd_rc `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The encoder rate control. .. note:: This option only applies when using amdvce `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto =========== =========== Value Description =========== =========== cqp constant qp mode cbr constant bitrate vbr_latency variable bitrate, latency constrained vbr_peak variable bitrate, peak constrained =========== =========== **Default** ``vbr_latency`` **Example** .. code-block:: text amd_rc = vbr_latency `amd_usage `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The encoder usage profile, used to balance latency with encoding quality. .. note:: This option only applies when using amdvce `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto =============== =========== Value Description =============== =========== transcoding transcoding (slowest) webcam webcam (slow) lowlatency low latency (fast) ultralowlatency ultra low latency (fastest) =============== =========== **Default** ``ultralowlatency`` **Example** .. code-block:: text amd_usage = ultralowlatency `amd_preanalysis `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Preanalysis can increase encoding quality at the cost of latency. .. note:: This option only applies when using amdvce `encoder`_. **Default** ``disabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text amd_preanalysis = disabled `amd_vbaq `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Variance Based Adaptive Quantization (VBAQ) can increase subjective visual quality. .. note:: This option only applies when using amdvce `encoder`_. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text amd_vbaq = enabled `amd_coder `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The entropy encoding to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using H264 with amdvce `encoder`_. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== auto let ffmpeg decide cabac context adaptive variable-length coding - higher quality cavlc context adaptive binary arithmetic coding - faster decode ========== =========== **Default** ``auto`` **Example** .. code-block:: text amd_coder = auto `VideoToolbox Encoder `__ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- `vt_coder `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The entropy encoding to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using macOS. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== auto let ffmpeg decide cabac cavlc ========== =========== **Default** ``auto`` **Example** .. code-block:: text vt_coder = auto `vt_software `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Force Video Toolbox to use software encoding. .. note:: This option only applies when using macOS. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========== =========== Value Description ========== =========== auto let ffmpeg decide disabled disable software encoding allowed allow software encoding forced force software encoding ========== =========== **Default** ``auto`` **Example** .. code-block:: text vt_software = auto `vt_realtime `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** Realtime encoding. .. note:: This option only applies when using macOS. .. warning:: Disabling realtime encoding might result in a delayed frame encoding or frame drop. **Default** ``enabled`` **Example** .. code-block:: text vt_realtime = enabled `Software Encoder `__ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- `sw_preset `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The encoder preset to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using software `encoder`_. .. note:: From `FFmpeg `__. A preset is a collection of options that will provide a certain encoding speed to compression ratio. A slower preset will provide better compression (compression is quality per filesize). This means that, for example, if you target a certain file size or constant bit rate, you will achieve better quality with a slower preset. Similarly, for constant quality encoding, you will simply save bitrate by choosing a slower preset. Use the slowest preset that you have patience for. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto ========= =========== Value Description ========= =========== ultrafast fastest superfast veryfast faster fast medium slow slower veryslow slowest ========= =========== **Default** ``superfast`` **Example** .. code-block:: text sw_preset = superfast `sw_tune `__ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **Description** The tuning preset to use. .. note:: This option only applies when using software `encoder`_. .. note:: From `FFmpeg `__. You can optionally use -tune to change settings based upon the specifics of your input. **Choices** .. table:: :widths: auto =========== =========== Value Description =========== =========== film use for high quality movie content; lowers deblocking animation good for cartoons; uses higher deblocking and more reference frames grain preserves the grain structure in old, grainy film material stillimage good for slideshow-like content fastdecode allows faster decoding by disabling certain filters zerolatency good for fast encoding and low-latency streaming =========== =========== **Default** ``zerolatency`` **Example** .. code-block:: text sw_tune = zerolatency