Adaptive Quality
Adaptive Quality dramatically increases performance without compromising image quality. Adaptive Quality is similar to the Progressive JPEG image file format, in which data is compressed in multiple passes of progressively higher detail. In Screens, the result is a much more responsive interface.
This feature is only available when connecting to a Mac.
Note: OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard users should note that Adaptive Quality doesn't perform well on this platform. Enable Compression instead when connecting to Snow Leopard machines.
Compression (formerly known as Display Scaling)
When this setting is enabled, Screens requests that the Screen Sharing server on the remote Mac send a scaled-down (50%) version of your desktop. This is particularly useful when your Mac has several displays attached or when connecting to a Mac with a high-resolution display.
For example, if the screen resolution of your Mac is 2560 × 1440, the remote Screen Sharing server will send an image at 1280 × 720. The result maintains the same aspect ratio but is 50% smaller, which improves transfer speed and rendering performance.
When connecting to a PC running TightVNC Server, Screens sets the image quality to 4 out of a maximum value of 9.
Note: Screens cannot change the resolution of your remote Mac's display to match the resolution of the iPhone, iPad, or Mac you're connecting from because this functionality is not available through macOS Screen Sharing or Remote Management.
Configuration
You can configure Adaptive Quality and Compression to suit your connection:
- Always On
- Only When Connecting Remotely
- Never
Starting with Screens 5.9, these options are configured individually for each connection. Select a computer in the Library, tap or click Edit, then select Controls.
In earlier versions of Screens, Adaptive Quality and Compression are available in the app settings.