Fastplay

Fastplay, often written as FastPlay or FastPlay, is a term used across media and software to describe features or products that aim to start playback quickly after a user initiates it. The exact meaning varies by context, and there is no single standard definition.

In media players and devices, fastplay commonly refers to a mode or feature that reduces startup latency. This can involve pre-buffering essential data, prioritizing the first frames for immediate display, or caching metadata to speed up the initial response when a user presses play. Some devices may offer a fastplay option as a user preference to minimize wait times at the expense of some initial quality or features.

In streaming and web-based video or audio players, fastplay is related to the concept of instant or rapid start playback. Techniques include progressive loading, early playout of low-resolution data, and adaptive streaming that begins with a lower bitrate to achieve near-immediate playback, followed by improvements as more data arrives.

In gaming and interactive media, fastplay can denote a mode that loads core assets quickly to reduce the time before gameplay begins. This may involve streamlined shaders, lower-fidelity textures, or background loading of essential resources.

Brands and product lines have also used FastPlay as a feature name to promote quick-start experiences. Because the term is used variably, consulting product documentation is important to understand what fastplay entails for any given device or service.