diff --git a/client/src/components/video-card.tsx b/client/src/components/video-card.tsx
index f914da5..0f3471c 100644
--- a/client/src/components/video-card.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/video-card.tsx
@@ -80,15 +80,19 @@ export default function VideoCard({ video, onClick, className = "" }: VideoCardP
         console.log('Setting up HLS preview for:', video.title);
         hlsRef.current = new Hls({
           enableWorker: false,
-          lowLatencyMode: false,
-          backBufferLength: 30,
-          maxBufferLength: 60,
-          maxMaxBufferLength: 120,
-          maxBufferSize: 60 * 1000 * 1000,
-          maxBufferHole: 0.5,
-          startLevel: 0,
+          lowLatencyMode: true,
+          backBufferLength: 10,
+          maxBufferLength: 15,
+          maxMaxBufferLength: 30,
+          maxBufferSize: 30 * 1000 * 1000,
+          maxBufferHole: 0.1,
+          startLevel: -1, // Auto select lowest quality for fast start
           autoStartLoad: true,
           debug: false,
+          liveSyncDurationCount: 3,
+          liveMaxLatencyDurationCount: 10,
+          startFragPrefetch: true,
+          testBandwidth: false,
         });
         
         hlsRef.current.loadSource(video.videoUrl);