diff --git a/docs/PLUGIN_AUTHOR_GUIDE.md b/docs/PLUGIN_AUTHOR_GUIDE.md
index 3749419..b0cfad0 100644
--- a/docs/PLUGIN_AUTHOR_GUIDE.md
+++ b/docs/PLUGIN_AUTHOR_GUIDE.md
@@ -386,8 +386,8 @@ Each method requires the matching permission in your manifest:
 | `owncast.server.emotes()`, custom chat emotes `[{name, url}]`                    | `server.read`        |
 | `owncast.server.federation()`, `{enabled, username, isPrivate}`                 | `server.read`        |
 | `owncast.server.tags()`, `[string]`                                             | `server.read`        |
-| `owncast.videoConfig.read()`, `{latencyLevel, codec, variants}`                 | `videoconfig.read`   |
-| `owncast.videoConfig.write({latencyLevel?, codec?, variants?})`, partial update, throws on failure | `videoconfig.write`  |
+| `owncast.videoConfig.read()`, `{latencyLevel, codec, autoplay, variants}`       | `videoconfig.read`   |
+| `owncast.videoConfig.write({latencyLevel?, codec?, autoplay?, variants?})`, partial update, throws on failure | `videoconfig.write`  |
 | `owncast.notifications.discord(text)`                                           | `notifications.send` |
 | `owncast.notifications.browserPush({title, body, url?})`                        | `notifications.send` |
 | `owncast.notifications.fediverse({type, body, image?, link?})`                  | `notifications.send` |
diff --git a/docs/WIRE_PROTOCOL.md b/docs/WIRE_PROTOCOL.md
index 948e6d2..d6aa2bb 100644
--- a/docs/WIRE_PROTOCOL.md
+++ b/docs/WIRE_PROTOCOL.md
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ plugin should store values above `Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER` (2^53 - 1) as TEXT.
 ### `videoconfig.read`
 
 - `owncast_video_config_read(): PTR`. Input: none. Output: JSON `VideoConfig`
-  with `latencyLevel`, `codec`, and `variants`.
+  with `latencyLevel`, `codec`, `autoplay`, and `variants`.
 
 ### `videoconfig.write`
 
@@ -869,28 +869,49 @@ type FederationInfo = {
   isPrivate?: boolean;
 };
 
+type AutoplayMode = "off" | "always" | "sound-only";
+
+type VideoCodec =
+  | "libx264"
+  | "h264_omx"
+  | "h264_vaapi"
+  | "h264_qsv"
+  | "h264_nvenc"
+  | "h264_v4l2m2m"
+  | "h264_videotoolbox";
+
 type StreamVariant = {
   width: number;
   height: number;
   framerate: number;
   videoBitrate: number;
-  audioBitrate: number;
+  cpuUsageLevel: number;
   isPassthrough: boolean;
 };
 
 type VideoConfig = {
   latencyLevel: number;
   codec: string;
+  autoplay: AutoplayMode;
   variants: StreamVariant[];
 };
 
 type VideoConfigUpdate = {
   latencyLevel?: number;
-  codec?: string;
+  codec?: VideoCodec;
+  autoplay?: AutoplayMode;
   variants?: StreamVariant[];
 };
 ```
 
+`VideoConfig.codec` can report a legacy value or an encoder added by a newer
+host. `VideoConfigUpdate.codec` accepts the `VideoCodec` values listed above.
+
+`cpuUsageLevel` accepts `0` through `4`, from lowest to highest CPU usage.
+Audio settings are not exposed. A variant update preserves the host's existing
+audio configuration for that output.
+Hardware codecs require the matching encoder in the host's ffmpeg build.
+
 ### Fediverse and notifications
 
 ```ts
diff --git a/examples/js/README.md b/examples/js/README.md
index 07a033a..309ae8f 100644
--- a/examples/js/README.md
+++ b/examples/js/README.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ One self-contained npm project per directory. Each has its own `README.md` with
 | [overlay](./overlay/)                             | `http.serve`, static files from `public/` + dynamic JSON endpoint.                                      |
 | [stream-tracker](./stream-tracker/)               | Every typed lifecycle / chat-user handler + read APIs.                                                  |
 | [stream-ops](./stream-ops/)                       | Broadcast telemetry (`server.read`) + video config read/write (`videoconfig.read`/`videoconfig.write`). |
-| [manual-video-settings](./manual-video-settings/) | Admin form for the video config: latency, codec, and per-variant resolution / framerate / bitrate.      |
+| [manual-video-settings](./manual-video-settings/) | Admin form for video latency, codec, autoplay, and output variants.                                       |
 | [engagement-bot](./engagement-bot/)               | Discord + browser-push + fediverse notifier on stream / fediverse events, with a small inline spam filter.     |
 | [admin-demo](./admin-demo/)                       | `manifest.admin.pages`, host-gated admin routes.                                                        |
 | [file-manager](./file-manager/)                   | `storage.fs`, admin page to browse/upload/download/delete files in the plugin's private sandbox.        |
diff --git a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md
index 7d20639..32e78bc 100644
--- a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md
+++ b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ A hand-edit form for the Owncast transcoding pipeline. Use it when you want to t
 Opening **Manual Video Settings** under the admin sidebar shows a single form with:
 
 - **Latency level**: `0` (lowest) through `4` (highest). Lower means viewers see the stream sooner but rebuffer more on flaky networks.
-- **Codec**: the FFmpeg encoder Owncast invokes (`libx264` software, plus the usual hardware variants: `h264_vaapi`, `h264_nvenc`, `h264_qsv`, `h264_omx`, `h264_v4l2m2m`, `h264_videotoolbox`). If your live config uses something not in the dropdown, this plugin shows it as a `(current)` option so saving doesn't silently overwrite it.
-- **Output variants**: one row per HLS rendition, with editable **width**, **height**, **FPS**, **video kbps**, and a **passthrough** checkbox. Add or remove rows from the form. Each variant's audio bitrate is preserved across saves (it's part of the host's data model, just not surfaced here).
+- **Codec**: the FFmpeg encoder Owncast invokes (`libx264` software, plus `h264_vaapi`, `h264_nvenc`, `h264_qsv`, `h264_omx`, `h264_v4l2m2m`, and `h264_videotoolbox`). Hardware encoders must be available in the host's ffmpeg build.
+- **Autoplay**: `off`, `always`, or `sound-only`.
+- **Output variants**: one row per HLS rendition, with editable **width**, **height**, **FPS**, **video kbps**, **CPU usage**, and a **passthrough** checkbox. Add or remove rows from the form.
 
 ## How to use it
 
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ Opening **Manual Video Settings** under the admin sidebar shows a single form wi
 3. Edit fields, then click **Save**. The status line confirms `Saved.` or shows the host's error message if a setting was rejected.
 4. **Reload** discards in-form edits and re-fetches the live config.
 
-Changes apply on the next stream segment Owncast encodes. An active broadcast does not need to be restarted, but viewers may see a brief quality switch.
+Changes apply when the next stream starts. The host does not restart an active broadcast.
 
 ## Safety notes
 
diff --git a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/README.md b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/README.md
index 9f65a8e..d368cf5 100644
--- a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/README.md
+++ b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # manual-video-settings
 
-Admin-only form at `/plugins/manual-video-settings/admin/` for hand-editing the host's transcoding config: HLS latency level, output codec, and each output variant's resolution / framerate / video bitrate (plus the passthrough flag). The form reads the current state via `owncast.videoConfig.read()` and POSTs partial updates through `owncast.videoConfig.write()`.
+Admin-only form at `/plugins/manual-video-settings/admin/` for hand-editing the host's transcoding config: HLS latency level, output codec, autoplay, and each output variant's resolution, framerate, video bitrate, CPU usage level, and passthrough flag. The form reads the current state via `owncast.videoConfig.read()` and POSTs partial updates through `owncast.videoConfig.write()`.
 
 **Demonstrates:** combining `manifest.admin.pages` (host-gated routes, no auth code in the plugin) with the `videoconfig.read` / `videoconfig.write` permission split. The HTTP handler accepts a partial `VideoConfigUpdate` so fields the form didn't touch are left untouched by the host.
 
diff --git a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json
index df51a4b..9e2ace0 100644
--- a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json
+++ b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json
@@ -30,9 +30,10 @@
       "videoConfig": {
         "latencyLevel": 2,
         "codec": "libx264",
+        "autoplay": "sound-only",
         "variants": [
-          { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "audioBitrate": 160, "isPassthrough": false },
-          { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "audioBitrate": 128, "isPassthrough": false }
+          { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "cpuUsageLevel": 3, "isPassthrough": false },
+          { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "cpuUsageLevel": 2, "isPassthrough": false }
         ]
       }
     },
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@
           "expect": {
             "status": 200,
             "headers": { "content-type": "application/json" },
-            "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"audioBitrate\":160,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"audioBitrate\":128,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}"
+            "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"autoplay\":\"sound-only\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":3,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":2,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}"
           }
         }
       }
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@
           "method": "POST",
           "path": "/admin/api/config",
           "headers": { "content-type": "application/json" },
-          "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"audioBitrate\":160,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"audioBitrate\":128,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}",
+          "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"autoplay\":\"sound-only\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":3,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":2,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}",
           "authenticated": true,
           "expect": { "status": 204 }
         }
@@ -101,9 +102,10 @@
         {
           "latencyLevel": 2,
           "codec": "libx264",
+          "autoplay": "sound-only",
           "variants": [
-            { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "audioBitrate": 160, "isPassthrough": false },
-            { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "audioBitrate": 128, "isPassthrough": false }
+            { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "cpuUsageLevel": 3, "isPassthrough": false },
+            { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "cpuUsageLevel": 2, "isPassthrough": false }
           ]
         }
       ]
diff --git a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html
index 98f11cc..4dc1377 100644
--- a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html
+++ b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@
     <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
     <p class="lead">
       Edit the host's live transcoding config: HLS latency level, output codec,
-      and each output variant's resolution / framerate / video bitrate. Changes
-      are applied via <code>owncast.videoConfig.write</code>.
+      autoplay, and each output variant's resolution / framerate / video bitrate
+      / CPU usage. Changes are applied via <code>owncast.videoConfig.write</code>.
     </p>
 
     <form id="form">
@@ -89,6 +89,14 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
             <option value="h264_videotoolbox">h264_videotoolbox (macOS)</option>
           </select>
         </label>
+        <label>
+          <span>Autoplay</span>
+          <select name="autoplay">
+            <option value="off">Never</option>
+            <option value="always">Always</option>
+            <option value="sound-only">Only if sound is available</option>
+          </select>
+        </label>
       </fieldset>
 
       <fieldset>
@@ -100,6 +108,7 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
               <th>Height</th>
               <th>FPS</th>
               <th>Video kbps</th>
+              <th>CPU usage</th>
               <th>Passthrough</th>
               <th class="row-actions"></th>
             </tr>
@@ -125,15 +134,12 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
 
       function variantRow(v) {
         const tr = document.createElement("tr");
-        // Audio bitrate is part of the host's variant shape but isn't
-        // exposed in this form. Stash it on the row so save() echoes it
-        // back instead of clobbering it with 0.
-        tr.dataset.audioBitrate = String(v.audioBitrate ?? 0);
         tr.innerHTML = `
           <td><input type="number" name="width" min="0" value="${v.width ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="number" name="height" min="0" value="${v.height ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="number" name="framerate" min="0" value="${v.framerate ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="number" name="videoBitrate" min="0" value="${v.videoBitrate ?? 0}" /></td>
+          <td><input type="number" name="cpuUsageLevel" min="0" max="4" value="${v.cpuUsageLevel ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="checkbox" name="isPassthrough" ${v.isPassthrough ? "checked" : ""} /></td>
           <td class="row-actions">
             <button type="button" class="danger" data-action="remove">Remove</button>
@@ -149,12 +155,13 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
           height: Number(row.querySelector("[name=height]").value) || 0,
           framerate: Number(row.querySelector("[name=framerate]").value) || 0,
           videoBitrate: Number(row.querySelector("[name=videoBitrate]").value) || 0,
-          audioBitrate: Number(row.dataset.audioBitrate) || 0,
+          cpuUsageLevel: Number(row.querySelector("[name=cpuUsageLevel]").value) || 0,
           isPassthrough: row.querySelector("[name=isPassthrough]").checked,
         }));
         return {
           latencyLevel: Number(data.get("latencyLevel")),
           codec: data.get("codec"),
+          autoplay: data.get("autoplay"),
           variants,
         };
       }
@@ -164,6 +171,7 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
         if ([...latency.options].some((o) => o.value === String(config.latencyLevel))) {
           latency.value = String(config.latencyLevel);
         }
+        form.querySelector("[name=autoplay]").value = config.autoplay || "off";
         const codec = form.querySelector("[name=codec]");
         if (![...codec.options].some((o) => o.value === config.codec) && config.codec) {
           // Show a custom codec if the host reports something the dropdown
diff --git a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.js b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.js
index d9e58fb..5cf870c 100644
--- a/examples/js/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.js
+++ b/examples/js/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ function parseVariant(v) {
     height: Number(v.height) || 0,
     framerate: Number(v.framerate) || 0,
     videoBitrate: Number(v.videoBitrate) || 0,
-    audioBitrate: Number(v.audioBitrate) || 0,
+    cpuUsageLevel: Number(v.cpuUsageLevel) || 0,
     isPassthrough: Boolean(v.isPassthrough),
   };
 }
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ module.exports = definePlugin({
       if (typeof parsed.codec === "string" && parsed.codec.length > 0) {
         update.codec = parsed.codec;
       }
+      if (typeof parsed.autoplay === "string" && parsed.autoplay.length > 0) {
+        update.autoplay = parsed.autoplay;
+      }
       if (Array.isArray(parsed.variants)) {
         update.variants = parsed.variants.map(parseVariant);
       }
diff --git a/examples/js/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json b/examples/js/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json
index ece01ac..8f654c6 100644
--- a/examples/js/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json
+++ b/examples/js/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json
@@ -40,14 +40,15 @@
     "given": {
       "videoConfig": {
         "latencyLevel": 2,
-        "codec": "h264",
+        "codec": "libx264",
+        "autoplay": "off",
         "variants": [
           {
             "width": 1920,
             "height": 1080,
             "framerate": 30,
             "videoBitrate": 6000,
-            "audioBitrate": 160,
+            "cpuUsageLevel": 3,
             "isPassthrough": false
           },
           {
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@
             "height": 720,
             "framerate": 30,
             "videoBitrate": 3000,
-            "audioBitrate": 128,
+            "cpuUsageLevel": 2,
             "isPassthrough": false
           }
         ]
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@
     ],
     "expect": {
       "chatSends": [
-        "latency 2, codec h264, 2 variant(s)"
+        "latency 2, codec libx264, 2 variant(s)"
       ]
     }
   }
diff --git a/examples/python/README.md b/examples/python/README.md
index 77b6f3f..03a2542 100644
--- a/examples/python/README.md
+++ b/examples/python/README.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ One self-contained plugin per directory, authored in Python and compiled to wasm
 | [overlay](./overlay/)                             | `http.serve`, static files from `public/` + dynamic JSON endpoint.                                      |
 | [stream-tracker](./stream-tracker/)               | Every typed lifecycle / chat-user handler + read APIs.                                                  |
 | [stream-ops](./stream-ops/)                       | Broadcast telemetry (`server.read`) + video config read/write (`videoconfig.read`/`videoconfig.write`). |
-| [manual-video-settings](./manual-video-settings/) | Admin form for the video config: latency, codec, and per-variant resolution / framerate / bitrate.      |
+| [manual-video-settings](./manual-video-settings/) | Admin form for video latency, codec, autoplay, and output variants.                                       |
 | [engagement-bot](./engagement-bot/)               | Discord + browser-push + fediverse notifier on stream / fediverse events, with a small inline spam filter.     |
 | [admin-demo](./admin-demo/)                       | `manifest.admin.pages`, host-gated admin routes.                                                        |
 | [file-manager](./file-manager/)                   | `storage.fs`, admin page to browse/upload/download/delete files in the plugin's private sandbox.        |
diff --git a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md
index 790b9c4..b963c92 100644
--- a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md
+++ b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/INSTRUCTIONS.md
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@ A hand-edit form for the Owncast transcoding pipeline. Use it when you want to t
 Opening **Manual Video Settings** under the admin sidebar shows a single form with:
 
 - **Latency level**: `0` (lowest) through `4` (highest). Lower means viewers see the stream sooner but rebuffer more on flaky networks.
-- **Codec**: the FFmpeg encoder Owncast invokes (`libx264` software, plus the usual hardware variants: `h264_vaapi`, `h264_nvenc`, `h264_qsv`, `h264_omx`, `h264_v4l2m2m`, `h264_videotoolbox`). If your live config uses something not in the dropdown, this plugin shows it as a `(current)` option so saving doesn't silently overwrite it.
-- **Output variants**: one row per HLS rendition, with editable **width**, **height**, **FPS**, **video kbps**, and a **passthrough** checkbox. Add or remove rows from the form. Each variant's audio bitrate is preserved across saves (it's part of the host's data model, just not surfaced here).
+- **Codec**: the FFmpeg encoder Owncast invokes (`libx264` software, plus `h264_vaapi`, `h264_nvenc`, `h264_qsv`, `h264_omx`, `h264_v4l2m2m`, and `h264_videotoolbox`). Hardware encoders must be available in the host's ffmpeg build.
+- **Autoplay**: `off`, `always`, or `sound-only`.
+- **Output variants**: one row per HLS rendition, with editable **width**, **height**, **FPS**, **video kbps**, **CPU usage**, and a **passthrough** checkbox. Add or remove rows from the form.
 
 ## How to use it
 
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ Opening **Manual Video Settings** under the admin sidebar shows a single form wi
 3. Edit fields, then click **Save**. The status line confirms `Saved.` or shows the host's error message if a setting was rejected.
 4. **Reload** discards in-form edits and re-fetches the live config.
 
-Changes apply on the next stream segment Owncast encodes. An active broadcast does not need to be restarted, but viewers may see a brief quality switch.
+Changes apply when the next stream starts. The host does not restart an active broadcast.
 
 ## Safety notes
 
diff --git a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/README.md b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/README.md
index 11c345d..b4ec7f6 100644
--- a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/README.md
+++ b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # manual-video-settings
 
-Admin-only form at `/plugins/manual-video-settings/admin/` for hand-editing the host's transcoding config: HLS latency level, output codec, and each output variant's resolution / framerate / video bitrate (plus the passthrough flag). The form reads the current state via `owncast.video_config.read()` and POSTs partial updates through `owncast.video_config.write()`.
+Admin-only form at `/plugins/manual-video-settings/admin/` for hand-editing the host's transcoding config: HLS latency level, output codec, autoplay, and each output variant's resolution, framerate, video bitrate, CPU usage level, and passthrough flag. The form reads the current state via `owncast.video_config.read()` and POSTs partial updates through `owncast.video_config.write()`.
 
 **Demonstrates:** combining `manifest.admin.pages` (host-gated routes, no auth code in the plugin) with the `videoconfig.read` / `videoconfig.write` permission split. The handler accepts a partial `VideoConfigUpdate` so fields the form didn't touch are left untouched by the host.
 
diff --git a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json
index df51a4b..9e2ace0 100644
--- a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json
+++ b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/__tests__/admin.test.json
@@ -30,9 +30,10 @@
       "videoConfig": {
         "latencyLevel": 2,
         "codec": "libx264",
+        "autoplay": "sound-only",
         "variants": [
-          { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "audioBitrate": 160, "isPassthrough": false },
-          { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "audioBitrate": 128, "isPassthrough": false }
+          { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "cpuUsageLevel": 3, "isPassthrough": false },
+          { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "cpuUsageLevel": 2, "isPassthrough": false }
         ]
       }
     },
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@
           "expect": {
             "status": 200,
             "headers": { "content-type": "application/json" },
-            "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"audioBitrate\":160,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"audioBitrate\":128,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}"
+            "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"autoplay\":\"sound-only\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":3,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":2,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}"
           }
         }
       }
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@
           "method": "POST",
           "path": "/admin/api/config",
           "headers": { "content-type": "application/json" },
-          "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"audioBitrate\":160,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"audioBitrate\":128,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}",
+          "body": "{\"latencyLevel\":2,\"codec\":\"libx264\",\"autoplay\":\"sound-only\",\"variants\":[{\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":6000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":3,\"isPassthrough\":false},{\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"framerate\":30,\"videoBitrate\":3000,\"cpuUsageLevel\":2,\"isPassthrough\":false}]}",
           "authenticated": true,
           "expect": { "status": 204 }
         }
@@ -101,9 +102,10 @@
         {
           "latencyLevel": 2,
           "codec": "libx264",
+          "autoplay": "sound-only",
           "variants": [
-            { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "audioBitrate": 160, "isPassthrough": false },
-            { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "audioBitrate": 128, "isPassthrough": false }
+            { "width": 1920, "height": 1080, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 6000, "cpuUsageLevel": 3, "isPassthrough": false },
+            { "width": 1280, "height": 720, "framerate": 30, "videoBitrate": 3000, "cpuUsageLevel": 2, "isPassthrough": false }
           ]
         }
       ]
diff --git a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html
index 98f11cc..4dc1377 100644
--- a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html
+++ b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/public/admin/index.html
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@
     <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
     <p class="lead">
       Edit the host's live transcoding config: HLS latency level, output codec,
-      and each output variant's resolution / framerate / video bitrate. Changes
-      are applied via <code>owncast.videoConfig.write</code>.
+      autoplay, and each output variant's resolution / framerate / video bitrate
+      / CPU usage. Changes are applied via <code>owncast.videoConfig.write</code>.
     </p>
 
     <form id="form">
@@ -89,6 +89,14 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
             <option value="h264_videotoolbox">h264_videotoolbox (macOS)</option>
           </select>
         </label>
+        <label>
+          <span>Autoplay</span>
+          <select name="autoplay">
+            <option value="off">Never</option>
+            <option value="always">Always</option>
+            <option value="sound-only">Only if sound is available</option>
+          </select>
+        </label>
       </fieldset>
 
       <fieldset>
@@ -100,6 +108,7 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
               <th>Height</th>
               <th>FPS</th>
               <th>Video kbps</th>
+              <th>CPU usage</th>
               <th>Passthrough</th>
               <th class="row-actions"></th>
             </tr>
@@ -125,15 +134,12 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
 
       function variantRow(v) {
         const tr = document.createElement("tr");
-        // Audio bitrate is part of the host's variant shape but isn't
-        // exposed in this form. Stash it on the row so save() echoes it
-        // back instead of clobbering it with 0.
-        tr.dataset.audioBitrate = String(v.audioBitrate ?? 0);
         tr.innerHTML = `
           <td><input type="number" name="width" min="0" value="${v.width ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="number" name="height" min="0" value="${v.height ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="number" name="framerate" min="0" value="${v.framerate ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="number" name="videoBitrate" min="0" value="${v.videoBitrate ?? 0}" /></td>
+          <td><input type="number" name="cpuUsageLevel" min="0" max="4" value="${v.cpuUsageLevel ?? 0}" /></td>
           <td><input type="checkbox" name="isPassthrough" ${v.isPassthrough ? "checked" : ""} /></td>
           <td class="row-actions">
             <button type="button" class="danger" data-action="remove">Remove</button>
@@ -149,12 +155,13 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
           height: Number(row.querySelector("[name=height]").value) || 0,
           framerate: Number(row.querySelector("[name=framerate]").value) || 0,
           videoBitrate: Number(row.querySelector("[name=videoBitrate]").value) || 0,
-          audioBitrate: Number(row.dataset.audioBitrate) || 0,
+          cpuUsageLevel: Number(row.querySelector("[name=cpuUsageLevel]").value) || 0,
           isPassthrough: row.querySelector("[name=isPassthrough]").checked,
         }));
         return {
           latencyLevel: Number(data.get("latencyLevel")),
           codec: data.get("codec"),
+          autoplay: data.get("autoplay"),
           variants,
         };
       }
@@ -164,6 +171,7 @@ <h1>Manual Video Settings</h1>
         if ([...latency.options].some((o) => o.value === String(config.latencyLevel))) {
           latency.value = String(config.latencyLevel);
         }
+        form.querySelector("[name=autoplay]").value = config.autoplay || "off";
         const codec = form.querySelector("[name=codec]");
         if (![...codec.options].some((o) => o.value === config.codec) && config.codec) {
           // Show a custom codec if the host reports something the dropdown
diff --git a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.py b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.py
index 8297c72..1c343db 100644
--- a/examples/python/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.py
+++ b/examples/python/manual-video-settings/src/plugin.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def parse_variant(v):
         "height": int(v.get("height") or 0),
         "framerate": int(v.get("framerate") or 0),
         "videoBitrate": int(v.get("videoBitrate") or 0),
-        "audioBitrate": int(v.get("audioBitrate") or 0),
+        "cpuUsageLevel": int(v.get("cpuUsageLevel") or 0),
         "isPassthrough": bool(v.get("isPassthrough")),
     }
 
@@ -47,6 +47,9 @@ def set_config(req):
     codec = parsed.get("codec")
     if isinstance(codec, str) and len(codec) > 0:
         update["codec"] = codec
+    autoplay = parsed.get("autoplay")
+    if isinstance(autoplay, str) and len(autoplay) > 0:
+        update["autoplay"] = autoplay
     if isinstance(parsed.get("variants"), list):
         update["variants"] = [parse_variant(v) for v in parsed["variants"]]
 
diff --git a/examples/python/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json b/examples/python/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json
index ece01ac..8f654c6 100644
--- a/examples/python/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json
+++ b/examples/python/stream-ops/__tests__/reads.test.json
@@ -40,14 +40,15 @@
     "given": {
       "videoConfig": {
         "latencyLevel": 2,
-        "codec": "h264",
+        "codec": "libx264",
+        "autoplay": "off",
         "variants": [
           {
             "width": 1920,
             "height": 1080,
             "framerate": 30,
             "videoBitrate": 6000,
-            "audioBitrate": 160,
+            "cpuUsageLevel": 3,
             "isPassthrough": false
           },
           {
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@
             "height": 720,
             "framerate": 30,
             "videoBitrate": 3000,
-            "audioBitrate": 128,
+            "cpuUsageLevel": 2,
             "isPassthrough": false
           }
         ]
@@ -77,7 +78,7 @@
     ],
     "expect": {
       "chatSends": [
-        "latency 2, codec h264, 2 variant(s)"
+        "latency 2, codec libx264, 2 variant(s)"
       ]
     }
   }
diff --git a/host-runtime/cmd/owncast-plugin-serve/main.go b/host-runtime/cmd/owncast-plugin-serve/main.go
index 02395b9..4e5f5fa 100644
--- a/host-runtime/cmd/owncast-plugin-serve/main.go
+++ b/host-runtime/cmd/owncast-plugin-serve/main.go
@@ -137,10 +137,11 @@ func main() {
 		VideoConfig: func() plugin.VideoConfig {
 			return plugin.VideoConfig{
 				LatencyLevel: 2,
-				Codec:        "h264",
+				Codec:        "libx264",
+				Autoplay:     "off",
 				Variants: []plugin.StreamVariant{
-					{Width: 1920, Height: 1080, Framerate: 30, VideoBitrate: 6000, AudioBitrate: 160},
-					{Width: 1280, Height: 720, Framerate: 30, VideoBitrate: 3000, AudioBitrate: 128},
+					{Width: 1920, Height: 1080, Framerate: 30, VideoBitrate: 6000, CPUUsageLevel: 2},
+					{Width: 1280, Height: 720, Framerate: 30, VideoBitrate: 3000, CPUUsageLevel: 2},
 				},
 			}
 		},
diff --git a/sdks/js/index.d.ts b/sdks/js/index.d.ts
index 620e784..bd27f79 100644
--- a/sdks/js/index.d.ts
+++ b/sdks/js/index.d.ts
@@ -71,20 +71,36 @@ export interface StreamBroadcaster {
   bitrates?: number[];
 }
 
+/** Viewer autoplay behavior. */
+export type AutoplayMode = "off" | "always" | "sound-only";
+
+/** H.264 encoder names accepted by Owncast video config writes.
+ *  Hardware encoders must also be available in ffmpeg. */
+export type VideoCodec =
+  | "libx264"
+  | "h264_omx"
+  | "h264_vaapi"
+  | "h264_qsv"
+  | "h264_nvenc"
+  | "h264_v4l2m2m"
+  | "h264_videotoolbox";
+
 /** One configured output rendition, part of VideoConfig (owncast.videoConfig). */
 export interface StreamVariant {
   width: number;
   height: number;
   framerate: number;
   videoBitrate: number;
-  audioBitrate: number;
+  cpuUsageLevel: number;
   isPassthrough: boolean;
 }
 
 /** The current video/transcoding config returned by owncast.videoConfig.read(). */
 export interface VideoConfig {
   latencyLevel: number;
+  /** The configured encoder. Reads may report a legacy or newer host value. */
   codec: string;
+  autoplay: AutoplayMode;
   variants: StreamVariant[];
 }
 
@@ -92,7 +108,8 @@ export interface VideoConfig {
  *  are left unchanged. */
 export interface VideoConfigUpdate {
   latencyLevel?: number;
-  codec?: string;
+  codec?: VideoCodec;
+  autoplay?: AutoplayMode;
   variants?: StreamVariant[];
 }