Image quality on retina screen far below expectations

The resolution of my iMac's built-in display can be set in 12 different modes ranging from 1152x648 to 4096x2304. With a resolution of, say, 2048x1152, one can choose between 2048x1152 "standard" and 2048x1152 "low resolution" but I have no idea what that means.

I just found the Better xCloud browser extension (cloud gaming on a mac goes via safari browser). Are you familiar with that? https://better-xcloud.github.io/

Hello, Guido G. If I recall correctly, cloud gaming resolution is limited to 1080p. Achieving and maintaining this resolution depends on your current internet connection.

Therefore, you don't need to change the screen resolution or look for an in-game option.

Try, when possible, test the feature with an Ethernet connection. This type of connection allows you to get the best performance your network can deliver.

Hello Arturo, thank you for your response.

So if I understand correctly, image quality problems during cloud gaming are always related to the streaming, not the hardware or system I am using. I do not own an Xbox myself but use the hardware on the Xbox server. Therefore, the image quality cannot be adjusted in the game itself.

An iMac does not have an option for 1080p resolution. I'm going to connect my mac tomorrow, when I have more time, with an Ethernet cable and fiddle around with different resolutions.

Hello, Guido G. I'm Arturo, a community user like you, and I'll be glad to provide assistance with your inquiry today.

Please note that comparing the system requirements for a game you play via cloud gaming doesn't mean you will get the best streaming quality.

Apart from that, cloud gaming on PC runs at a maximum resolution of 1080p. So, if you're playing in full screen with the resolution set to 4K, this may be the reason the image quality doesn't meet your expectations.

Reference link:
https://stealthoptional.com/gaming/what-resolution-is-xbox-cloud-gaming/

However, you could try improving your streaming experience by following these recommendations from Microsoft:

“Most audio and video issues experienced during cloud gaming are caused by problems with the network connection.

For better network performance, keep the following in mind:

Use a 5 GHz network when connecting your devices wirelessly (you may see interference on a 2.4 GHz network). If you have a dual-band router, you may need to enable or separate the 5 GHz signal, then make sure your devices are all connected to this same signal. If you’re not sure how to do this, check your device manufacturer’s support site or contact your ISP.

If available, change the power setting on your device to Best Performance Mode.

Also note that, when possible, using a wired Ethernet connection to your network is the best option for network quality.

Keep in mind that the following can affect network speed or increase latency, resulting in lag, out-of-sync audio, or poor graphics quality:

Using a mobile hotspot for a network connection
Using Wi-Fi extenders
Playing on the same network where others are using high-bandwidth apps like video streaming or multiplayer gaming
Casting your device to another screen
Enabling VPN
Using a custom DNS in your device or your router settings”

Reference link:
https://support.xbox.com/help/games-apps/cloud-gaming/troubleshoot-cloud-gaming-apple > Tips for better network performance.

Note: There are a lot of external factors that may affect your experience.

Regards,

Arturo.

Better xCloud is an unofficial project, I understand the purpose of this tool is to “improve” the cloud gaming feature, but please note that we're not able to assist with any third-party tool/program.

If you want to try that tool, you're free to do so. But support can't be provided for this tool on the Microsoft forums.