Updated
What Does Stream Pro Unlock?
Stream Pro is an in-app purchase in the phone app. It lifts the free playback limits on that app. The upcoming Android TV app does not currently include in-app purchases.
Before You Begin
- A phone running Android 7.0 or later
- Stream installed from Google Play
- A video in a supported container, so you can see which limit applies
What Plays for Free on a Phone
MP4 and M4V videos up to 1080p play with no time limit. Stream allows up to 16 extra pixels of height because some encoders pad 1080p frames to a multiple of 16, so a 1080p file stored as 1088 pixels tall still plays free.
MP4 and M4V video taller than 1080p plus that allowance requires Stream Pro. When a file offers several resolutions, a free account is limited to a rendition within that same height.
Other containers, including MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, and WebM, play as a 5-minute preview. The preview is per playback. When it ends, Stream asks for Stream Pro before that format continues. The in-app message says the 5-minute preview has ended.
What Stream Pro Unlocks
- Playback of those other containers after the 5-minute preview
- MP4 and M4V resolutions above 1080p, when the file contains them and the device can decode them
- Background audio, which keeps the audio playing when you leave the player or lock the screen
Background audio is the Background audio setting. Turning it on without Stream Pro opens the Stream Pro screen.
What Stays the Same
Codec and HDR support still depend on the device's decoders. Stream Pro does not add a decoder, a transcoder, or a quality menu.
The library scan recognizes .mp4, .m4v, .mov, .mkv, .avi, .flv, and .webm. RM and RMVB are not supported, with or without Stream Pro.
A slow network still buffers. Stream Pro does not change the path to a NAS or a cloud drive. See Why Does My Video Buffer or Stutter?.
Where to Try It
On a phone, play an MP4 or M4V at 1080p or below for a free check, then try the file you actually want to watch. Setup for that file's source starts in the Quick Start Guide.
Supported Scope
The free limits and Stream Pro purchase flow above apply to the phone app. The upcoming Android TV app does not currently include in-app purchases.