Start with the current playlist setting
In the Android / Fire OS edition, player options offer Auto, Exo only or VLC only for the current playlist. Check the selection again after changing playlists. Other platforms use their own system options, not necessarily the same engines.
Auto mode allows the alternative engine to be used when needed. If a channel works only after an unsuccessful attempt with the first engine, startup may feel slower. Explicitly choosing an engine for a tested playlist avoids that attempt, but gives up automatic switching flexibility.
Compare the same source, not different channels
Choose a representative channel, start it with Exo, then repeat with VLC. Note time to the first picture with sound, synchronisation and interruptions. Repeat on a few channels in the same playlist. A single start can be affected by cache or server load.
Do not run the same account on several devices during the comparison if the provider limits connections. Use a stable network and avoid changing the engine, source and TV settings together: you will not know which change helped.
Black picture, missing audio or stuttering
If picture appears without sound, check available audio tracks and try the alternative engine. If there is only sound, record the channel and device: video support also depends on codecs and hardware. Choosing VLC cannot guarantee that a TV can handle any codec or resolution.
If both engines fail on the same source, check provider access, the stream address and server availability. Do not uninstall the app as a first step. Send the exact error and comparison result to support, without URLs containing credentials.
