A method and system to provide a media file appropriate for playback. The system identifies an ability of a computer system to playback media content locally by querying a computer system over a network to assess a local playback capability of the computer system. Next, the system creates the media file in response to the identification of the ability and based on the ability. Finally, the system provides the computer system with the media file based on the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally.