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-
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-
-youtube-dlc - download videos from youtube.com or other video platforms.
-
-youtube-dlc is a fork of youtube-dl with the intention of getting features tested by the community merged in the tool faster, since youtube-dl's development seems to be slowing down. (https://web.archive.org/web/20201014194602/https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl/issues/26462)
-
-- [INSTALLATION](#installation)
-- [UPDATE](#update)
-- [DESCRIPTION](#description)
-- [OPTIONS](#options)
- - [Network Options:](#network-options)
- - [Geo Restriction:](#geo-restriction)
- - [Video Selection:](#video-selection)
- - [Download Options:](#download-options)
- - [Filesystem Options:](#filesystem-options)
- - [Thumbnail images:](#thumbnail-images)
- - [Verbosity / Simulation Options:](#verbosity--simulation-options)
- - [Workarounds:](#workarounds)
- - [Video Format Options:](#video-format-options)
- - [Subtitle Options:](#subtitle-options)
- - [Authentication Options:](#authentication-options)
- - [Adobe Pass Options:](#adobe-pass-options)
- - [Post-processing Options:](#post-processing-options)
- - [Extractor Options:](#extractor-options)
-- [CONFIGURATION](#configuration)
- - [Authentication with `.netrc` file](#authentication-with-netrc-file)
-- [OUTPUT TEMPLATE](#output-template)
- - [Output template and Windows batch files](#output-template-and-windows-batch-files)
- - [Output template examples](#output-template-examples)
-- [FORMAT SELECTION](#format-selection)
- - [Filtering Formats](#filtering-formats)
- - [Sorting Formats](#sorting-formats)
- - [Format Selection examples](#format-selection-examples)
-- [VIDEO SELECTION](#video-selection-1)
+# YT-DLP
-# INSTALLATION
-[How to update](#update)
+<!-- See: https://github.com/marketplace/actions/dynamic-badges -->
+[![Release Version](https://img.shields.io/endpoint?url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/pukkandan/c69cb23c3c5b3316248e52022790aa57/raw/version.json&color=brightgreen)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/releases/latest)
+[![License: Unlicense](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Unlicense-blue.svg)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/blob/master/LICENSE)
+[![Core Status](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/workflows/Core%20Test/badge.svg?branch=master)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/actions?query=workflow%3ACore)
+[![CI Status](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/workflows/Full%20Test/badge.svg?branch=master)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/actions?query=workflow%3AFull)
-**All Platforms**
-Preferred way using pip:
-You may want to use `python3` instead of `python`
+A command-line program to download videos from youtube.com and many other [video platforms](docs/supportedsites.md)
- python -m pip install --upgrade youtube-dlc
+This is a fork of [youtube-dlc](https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc) which is inturn a fork of [youtube-dl](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl)
-If you want to install the current master branch
+* [NEW FEATURES](#new-features)
+* [INSTALLATION](#installation)
+ * [UPDATE](#update)
+ * [COMPILE](#compile)
+* [DESCRIPTION](#description)
+* [OPTIONS](#options)
+ * [Network Options](#network-options)
+ * [Geo Restriction](#geo-restriction)
+ * [Video Selection](#video-selection)
+ * [Download Options](#download-options)
+ * [Filesystem Options](#filesystem-options)
+ * [Thumbnail images](#thumbnail-images)
+ * [Internet Shortcut Options](#internet-shortcut-options)
+ * [Verbosity / Simulation Options](#verbosity--simulation-options)
+ * [Workarounds](#workarounds)
+ * [Video Format Options](#video-format-options)
+ * [Subtitle Options](#subtitle-options)
+ * [Authentication Options](#authentication-options)
+ * [Adobe Pass Options](#adobe-pass-options)
+ * [Post-processing Options](#post-processing-options)
+ * [SponSkrub Options (SponsorBlock)](#sponSkrub-options-sponsorblock)
+ * [Extractor Options](#extractor-options)
+* [CONFIGURATION](#configuration)
+ * [Authentication with .netrc file](#authentication-with-netrc-file)
+* [OUTPUT TEMPLATE](#output-template)
+ * [Output template and Windows batch files](#output-template-and-windows-batch-files)
+ * [Output template examples](#output-template-examples)
+* [FORMAT SELECTION](#format-selection)
+ * [Filtering Formats](#filtering-formats)
+ * [Sorting Formats](#sorting-formats)
+ * [Format Selection examples](#format-selection-examples)
+* [VIDEO SELECTION](#video-selection-1)
+* [MORE](#more)
+
+
+# NEW FEATURES
+The major new features from the latest release of [blackjack4494/yt-dlc](https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc) are:
+
+* **[SponSkrub Integration](#sponSkrub-options-sponsorblock)**: You can use [SponSkrub](https://github.com/faissaloo/SponSkrub) to mark/remove sponsor sections in youtube videos by utilizing the [SponsorBlock](https://sponsor.ajay.app) API
+
+* **[Format Sorting](#sorting-formats)**: The default format sorting options have been changed so that higher resolution and better codecs will be now preferred instead of simply using larger bitrate. Furthermore, you can now specify the sort order using `-S`. This allows for much easier format selection that what is possible by simply using `--format` ([examples](#format-selection-examples))
+
+* **Merged with youtube-dl v2020.01.08**: You get all the latest features and patches of [youtube-dl](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl) in addition to all the features of [youtube-dlc](https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc)
+
+* **Youtube improvements**:
+ * All Youtube Feeds (`:ytfav`, `:ytwatchlater`, `:ytsubs`, `:ythistory`, `:ytrec`) works correctly and support downloading multiple pages of content
+ * Youtube search works correctly (`ytsearch:`, `ytsearchdate:`) along with Search URLs
+ * Redirect channel's home URL automatically to `/video` to preserve the old behaviour
- python -m pip install git+https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc
+* **New extractors**: AnimeLab, Philo MSO, Rcs, Gedi, bitwave.tv
-**UNIX** (Linux, macOS, etc.)
-Using wget:
+* **Fixed extractors**: archive.org, roosterteeth.com, skyit, instagram, itv, SouthparkDe, spreaker, Vlive, tiktok, akamai, ina
- sudo wget https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc/releases/latest/download/youtube-dlc -O /usr/local/bin/youtube-dlc
- sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/youtube-dlc
+* **New options**: `--list-formats-as-table`, `--write-link`, `--force-download-archive`, `--force-overwrites` etc
-Using curl:
+and many other features and patches. See [changelog](Changelog.md) or [commits](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/commits) for the full list of changes
- sudo curl -L https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc/releases/latest/download/youtube-dlc -o /usr/local/bin/youtube-dlc
- sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/youtube-dlc
+**PS**: Some of these changes are already in youtube-dlc, but are still unreleased. See [this](Changelog.md#unreleased-changes-in-blackjack4494yt-dlc) for details
+
+If you are coming from [youtube-dl](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl), the amount of changes are very large. Compare [options](#options) and [supported sites](docs/supportedsites.md) with youtube-dl's to get an idea of the massive number of features/patches [youtube-dlc](https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc) has accumulated.
+
+
+# INSTALLATION
+
+To use the latest version, simply download and run the [latest release](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp/releases/latest).
+Currently, there is no support for any package managers.
+
+If you want to install the current master branch
+
+ python -m pip install git+https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlp
-**Windows** users can download [youtube-dlc.exe](https://github.com/blackjack4494/yt-dlc/releases/latest/download/youtube-dlc.exe) (**do not** put in `C:\Windows\System32`!).
+### UPDATE
+**DO NOT UPDATE using `-U` !** instead download binaries again
-**Compile**
+### COMPILE
+
+**For Windows**:
To build the Windows executable yourself (without version info!)
python -m pip install --upgrade pyinstaller
New way to build Windows is to use `python pyinst.py` (please use python3 64Bit)
For 32Bit Version use a 32Bit Version of python (3 preferred here as well) and run `python pyinst32.py`
-For Unix:
+**For Unix**:
You will need the required build tools
python, make (GNU), pandoc, zip, nosetests
Then simply type this
make
-# UPDATE
-**DO NOT UPDATE using `-U` !** instead download binaries again or when installed with pip use a described above when installing.
-I will add some memorable short links to the binaries so you can download them easier.
-
-
-
-
-
# DESCRIPTION
-**youtube-dlc** is a command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com and a few more sites. It requires the Python interpreter, version 2.6, 2.7, or 3.2+, and it is not platform specific. It should work on your Unix box, on Windows or on macOS. It is released to the public domain, which means you can modify it, redistribute it or use it however you like.
+**youtube-dlc** is a command-line program to download videos from youtube.com many other [video platforms](docs/supportedsites.md). It requires the Python interpreter, version 2.6, 2.7, or 3.2+, and it is not platform specific. It should work on your Unix box, on Windows or on macOS. It is released to the public domain, which means you can modify it, redistribute it or use it however you like.
+
+ youtube-dlc [OPTIONS] [--] URL [URL...]
- youtube-dlc [OPTIONS] URL [URL...]
# OPTIONS
`Ctrl+F` is your friend :D
+<!-- Autogenerated -->
+## General Options:
-h, --help Print this help text and exit
--version Print program version and exit
- -U, --update (Doesn't work since there is no release)
- Update this program to latest version. Make
- sure that you have sufficient permissions
- (run with sudo if needed)
-
+ -U, --update [BROKEN] Update this program to latest
+ version. Make sure that you have sufficient
+ permissions (run with sudo if needed)
-i, --ignore-errors Continue on download errors, for example to
skip unavailable videos in a playlist
- (Same as --no-abort-on-error)
+ (default) (Same as --no-abort-on-error)
--abort-on-error Abort downloading of further videos if an
error occurs (Same as --no-ignore-errors)
--dump-user-agent Display the current browser identification
--flat-videos Do not resolve the video urls
--no-flat-playlist Extract the videos of a playlist
--mark-watched Mark videos watched (YouTube only)
- --no-mark-watched Do not mark videos watched (YouTube only)
+ --no-mark-watched Do not mark videos watched
--no-color Do not emit color codes in output
## Network Options:
The date can be "YYYYMMDD" or in the format
"(now|today)[+-][0-9](day|week|month|year)(s)?"
--datebefore DATE Download only videos uploaded on or before
- this date (i.e. inclusive). The date formats
- accepted is the same as --date
+ this date. The date formats accepted is the
+ same as --date
--dateafter DATE Download only videos uploaded on or after
- this date (i.e. inclusive). The date formats
- accepted is the same as --date
+ this date. The date formats accepted is the
+ same as --date
--min-views COUNT Do not download any videos with less than
COUNT views
--max-views COUNT Do not download any videos with more than
service), but who also have a description,
use --match-filter "like_count > 100 &
dislike_count <? 50 & description" .
- --no-match-filter FILTER Do not use generic video filter (default)
+ --no-match-filter Do not use generic video filter (default)
--no-playlist Download only the video, if the URL refers
to a video and a playlist.
--yes-playlist Download the playlist, if the URL refers to
--download-archive FILE Download only videos not listed in the
archive file. Record the IDs of all
downloaded videos in it.
+ --break-on-existing Stop the download process when encountering
+ a file that's in the archive.
+ --break-on-reject Stop the download process when encountering
+ a file that has been filtered out.
--no-download-archive Do not use archive file (default)
- --break-on-existing Stop the download process after attempting
- to download a file that's in the archive.
- --include-ads Download advertisements as well (experimental)
+ --include-ads Download advertisements as well
+ (experimental)
--no-include-ads Do not download advertisements (default)
## Download Options:
(Same as --no-skip-unavailable-fragments)
--keep-fragments Keep downloaded fragments on disk after
downloading is finished
- --no-keep-fragments Delete downloaded fragments after downloading
- is finished (default)
+ --no-keep-fragments Delete downloaded fragments after
+ downloading is finished (default)
--buffer-size SIZE Size of download buffer (e.g. 1024 or 16K)
(default is 1024)
- --resize-buffer The buffer size is automatically resized from
- an initial value of --buffer-size (default)
- --no-resize-buffer Do not automatically adjust the buffer
- size
+ --resize-buffer The buffer size is automatically resized
+ from an initial value of --buffer-size
+ (default)
+ --no-resize-buffer Do not automatically adjust the buffer size
--http-chunk-size SIZE Size of a chunk for chunk-based HTTP
downloading (e.g. 10485760 or 10M) (default
is disabled). May be useful for bypassing
(experimental)
--playlist-reverse Download playlist videos in reverse order
--no-playlist-reverse Download playlist videos in default order
+ (default)
--playlist-random Download playlist videos in random order
--xattr-set-filesize Set file xattribute ytdl.filesize with
expected file size
with '#', ';' or ']' are considered as
comments and ignored.
-o, --output TEMPLATE Output filename template, see the "OUTPUT
- TEMPLATE" for all the info
+ TEMPLATE" for details
--autonumber-start NUMBER Specify the start value for %(autonumber)s
(default is 1)
--restrict-filenames Restrict filenames to only ASCII
characters, and avoid "&" and spaces in
filenames
- --no-restrict-filenames Allow Unicode characters, "&" and spaces
- in filenames (default)
- -w, --no-overwrites Do not overwrite files
+ --no-restrict-filenames Allow Unicode characters, "&" and spaces in
+ filenames (default)
+ -w, --no-overwrites Do not overwrite any files
+ --force-overwrites Overwrite all video and metadata files.
+ This option includes --no-continue
+ --no-force-overwrites Do not overwrite the video, but overwrite
+ related files (default)
-c, --continue Resume partially downloaded files (default)
- --no-continue Do not resume partially downloaded files
- (restart from beginning)
- --part Use .part files instead of writing directly
+ --no-continue Restart download of partially downloaded
+ files from beginning
+ --part Use .part files instead of writing directly
into output file (default)
--no-part Do not use .part files - write directly
into output file
- --mtime Use the Last-modified header to set the
- file modification time
+ --mtime Use the Last-modified header to set the
+ file modification time (default)
--no-mtime Do not use the Last-modified header to set
the file modification time
--write-description Write video description to a .description
may change.
--no-cache-dir Disable filesystem caching
--rm-cache-dir Delete all filesystem cache files
- --trim-file-name Limit the filename length (extension
+ --trim-file-name LENGTH Limit the filename length (extension
excluded)
-## Thumbnail images:
+## Thumbnail Images:
--write-thumbnail Write thumbnail image to disk
--no-write-thumbnail Do not write thumbnail image to disk
+ (default)
--write-all-thumbnails Write all thumbnail image formats to disk
--list-thumbnails Simulate and list all available thumbnail
formats
-
## Internet Shortcut Options:
--write-link Write an internet shortcut file, depending on
the current platform (.url/.webloc/.desktop).
files in the current directory to debug
problems
--print-traffic Display sent and read HTTP traffic
- -C, --call-home Contact the youtube-dlc server for debugging
+ -C, --call-home [Broken] Contact the youtube-dlc server for
+ debugging
--no-call-home Do not contact the youtube-dlc server for
debugging (default)
before each download (maximum possible
number of seconds to sleep). Must only be
used along with --min-sleep-interval.
- --sleep-subtitles Enforce sleep interval on subtitles as well.
-
+ --sleep-subtitles SECONDS Enforce sleep interval on subtitles as well
## Video Format Options:
-f, --format FORMAT Video format code, see "FORMAT SELECTION"
precedence over all fields, see "Sorting
Formats" for more details
--no-format-sort-force Some fields have precedence over the user
- specified sort order, see "Sorting Formats"
- for more details (default)
- --video-multistreams Allow multiple video streams to be merged into
- a single file (default)
- --no-video-multistreams Only one video stream is downloaded for each
- output file
- --audio-multistreams Allow multiple audio streams to be merged into
- a single file (default)
- --no-audio-multistreams Only one audio stream is downloaded for each
- output file
+ specified sort order (default), see
+ "Sorting Formats" for more details
+ --video-multistreams Allow multiple video streams to be merged
+ into a single file
+ --no-video-multistreams Only one video stream is downloaded for
+ each output file (default)
+ --audio-multistreams Allow multiple audio streams to be merged
+ into a single file
+ --no-audio-multistreams Only one audio stream is downloaded for
+ each output file (default)
--all-formats Download all available video formats
- --prefer-free-formats Prefer free video formats unless a specific
- one is requested
+ --prefer-free-formats Prefer free video formats over non-free
+ formats of same quality
-F, --list-formats List all available formats of requested
videos
- --list-formats-as-table Present the output of -F in a more tabular form
- --list-formats-old Present the output of -F in older form (default)
+ --list-formats-as-table Present the output of -F in a more tabular
+ form (default)
(Same as --no-list-formats-as-table)
- --youtube-skip-dash-manifest Do not download the DASH manifests and
- related data on YouTube videos
- (Same as --no-youtube-include-dash-manifest)
+ --list-formats-old Present the output of -F in the old form
--youtube-include-dash-manifest Download the DASH manifests and related data
on YouTube videos (default)
(Same as --no-youtube-skip-dash-manifest)
- --youtube-skip-hls-manifest Do not download the HLS manifests and
+ --youtube-skip-dash-manifest Do not download the DASH manifests and
related data on YouTube videos
- (Same as --no-youtube-include-hls-manifest)
+ (Same as --no-youtube-include-dash-manifest)
--youtube-include-hls-manifest Download the HLS manifests and related data
on YouTube videos (default)
(Same as --no-youtube-skip-hls-manifest)
+ --youtube-skip-hls-manifest Do not download the HLS manifests and
+ related data on YouTube videos
+ (Same as --no-youtube-include-hls-manifest)
--merge-output-format FORMAT If a merge is required (e.g.
bestvideo+bestaudio), output to given
container format. One of mkv, mp4, ogg,
webm, flv. Ignored if no merge is required
## Subtitle Options:
- --write-sub Write subtitle file
- --no-write-sub Do not write subtitle file (default)
- --write-auto-sub Write automatically generated subtitle file
+ --write-subs Write subtitle file
+ --no-write-subs Do not write subtitle file (default)
+ --write-auto-subs Write automatically generated subtitle file
(YouTube only)
- --no-write-auto-sub Do not write automatically generated
+ --no-write-auto-subs Do not write automatically generated
subtitle file (default)
--all-subs Download all the available subtitles of the
video
out, youtube-dlc will ask interactively.
-2, --twofactor TWOFACTOR Two-factor authentication code
-n, --netrc Use .netrc authentication data
- --video-password PASSWORD Video password (vimeo, smotri, youku)
+ --video-password PASSWORD Video password (vimeo, youku)
## Adobe Pass Options:
--ap-mso MSO Adobe Pass multiple-system operator (TV
--ap-list-mso List all supported multiple-system
operators
-## Post-processing Options:
+## Post-Processing Options:
-x, --extract-audio Convert video files to audio-only files
(requires ffmpeg or avconv and ffprobe or
avprobe)
a value between 0 (better) and 9 (worse)
for VBR or a specific bitrate like 128K
(default 5)
- --remux-video FORMAT Remux the video to another container format
- if necessary (currently supported: mp4|mkv,
- target container format must support video
- / audio encoding, remuxing may fail)
- --recode-video FORMAT Encode the video to another format if
- necessary (currently supported:
- mp4|flv|ogg|webm|mkv|avi)
- --postprocessor-args ARGS Give these arguments to the postprocessor
- -k, --keep-video Keep the intermediate video file on disk
+ --remux-video FORMAT Remux the video into another container if
+ necessary (currently supported: mp4|mkv).
+ If target container does not support the
+ video/audio codec, remuxing will fail
+ --recode-video FORMAT Re-encode the video into another format if
+ re-encoding is necessary (currently
+ supported: mp4|flv|ogg|webm|mkv|avi)
+ --postprocessor-args NAME:ARGS Give these arguments to the postprocessors.
+ Specify the postprocessor name and the
+ arguments separated by a colon ':' to give
+ the argument to only the specified
+ postprocessor. Supported names are
+ ExtractAudio, VideoRemuxer, VideoConvertor,
+ EmbedSubtitle, Metadata, Merger,
+ FixupStretched, FixupM4a, FixupM3u8,
+ SubtitlesConvertor, SponSkrub and Default.
+ You can use this option multiple times to
+ give different arguments to different
+ postprocessors
+ -k, --keep-video Keep the intermediate video file on disk
after post-processing
- --no-keep-video Delete the intermediate video file after
+ --no-keep-video Delete the intermediate video file after
post-processing (default)
--post-overwrites Overwrite post-processed files (default)
--no-post-overwrites Do not overwrite post-processed files
--embed-subs Embed subtitles in the video (only for mp4,
webm and mkv videos)
- --no-embed-subs Do not embed subtitles in the video (default)
+ --no-embed-subs Do not embed subtitles (default)
--embed-thumbnail Embed thumbnail in the audio as cover art
--no-embed-thumbnail Do not embed thumbnail (default)
--add-metadata Write metadata to the video file
--convert-subs FORMAT Convert the subtitles to other format
(currently supported: srt|ass|vtt|lrc)
-## SponSkrub Options (SponsorBlock)
- --sponskrub Use sponskrub to mark sponsored sections with
- the data available in SponsorBlock API. This
- is enabled by default if the sponskrub binary
- exists (Youtube only)
+## [SponSkrub](https://github.com/faissaloo/SponSkrub) Options ([SponsorBlock](https://sponsor.ajay.app)):
+ --sponskrub Use sponskrub to mark sponsored sections
+ with the data available in SponsorBlock
+ API. This is enabled by default if the
+ sponskrub binary exists (Youtube only)
+ --no-sponskrub Do not use sponskrub
--sponskrub-cut Cut out the sponsor sections instead of
simply marking them
--no-sponskrub-cut Simply mark the sponsor sections, not cut
them out (default)
- --sponskrub-force Allow cutting out the sponsor sections even
- if the video was already downloaded.
+ --sponskrub-force Run sponskrub even if the video was already
+ downloaded
--no-sponskrub-force Do not cut out the sponsor sections if the
video was already downloaded (default)
- --sponskrub-location Location of the sponskrub binary;
- either the path to the binary or its
- containing directory
- --sponskrub-args Give these arguments to sponskrub
+ --sponskrub-location PATH Location of the sponskrub binary; either
+ the path to the binary or its containing
+ directory.
## Extractor Options:
--ignore-dynamic-mpd Do not process dynamic DASH manifests
- `channel_id` (string): Id of the channel
- `location` (string): Physical location where the video was filmed
- `duration` (numeric): Length of the video in seconds
+ - `duration_string` (string): Length of the video (HH-mm-ss)
- `view_count` (numeric): How many users have watched the video on the platform
- `like_count` (numeric): Number of positive ratings of the video
- `dislike_count` (numeric): Number of negative ratings of the video
To use percent literals in an output template use `%%`. To output to stdout use `-o -`.
-The current default template is `%(title)s-%(id)s.%(ext)s`.
+The current default template is `%(title)s [%(id)s].%(ext)s`.
In some cases, you don't want special characters such as δΈ, spaces, or &, such as when transferring the downloaded filename to a Windows system or the filename through an 8bit-unsafe channel. In these cases, add the `--restrict-filenames` flag to get a shorter title:
# FORMAT SELECTION
By default, youtube-dlc tries to download the best available quality if you **don't** pass any options.
-This is generally equivalent to using `-f bestvideo+bestaudio/best`. However, if ffmpeg and avconv are unavailable, or if you use youtube-dlc to stream to `stdout` (`-o -`), the default becomes `-f best/bestvideo+bestaudio`.
+This is generally equivalent to using `-f bestvideo*+bestaudio/best`. However, if multiple audiostreams is enabled (`--audio-multistreams`), the default format changes to `-f bestvideo+bestaudio/best`. Similarly, if ffmpeg and avconv are unavailable, or if you use youtube-dlc to stream to `stdout` (`-o -`), the default becomes `-f best/bestvideo+bestaudio`.
The general syntax for format selection is `--f FORMAT` (or `--format FORMAT`) where `FORMAT` is a *selector expression*, i.e. an expression that describes format or formats you would like to download.
- `b*`, `best*`: Select the best quality format irrespective of whether it contains video or audio.
- `w*`, `worst*`: Select the worst quality format irrespective of whether it contains video or audio.
-
- `b`, `best`: Select the best quality format that contains both video and audio. Equivalent to `best*[vcodec!=none][acodec!=none]`
- `w`, `worst`: Select the worst quality format that contains both video and audio. Equivalent to `worst*[vcodec!=none][acodec!=none]`
-
- `bv`, `bestvideo`: Select the best quality video-only format. Equivalent to `best*[acodec=none]`
- `wv`, `worstvideo`: Select the worst quality video-only format. Equivalent to `worst*[acodec=none]`
-
- `bv*`, `bestvideo*`: Select the best quality format that contains video. It may also contain audio. Equivalent to `best*[vcodec!=none]`
- `wv*`, `worstvideo*`: Select the worst quality format that contains video. It may also contain audio. Equivalent to `worst*[vcodec!=none]`
-
- `ba`, `bestaudio`: Select the best quality audio-only format. Equivalent to `best*[vcodec=none]`
- `wa`, `worstaudio`: Select the worst quality audio-only format. Equivalent to `worst*[vcodec=none]`
-
- `ba*`, `bestaudio*`: Select the best quality format that contains audio. It may also contain video. Equivalent to `best*[acodec!=none]`
- `wa*`, `worstaudio*`: Select the worst quality format that contains audio. It may also contain video. Equivalent to `worst*[acodec!=none]`
- `container`: Name of the container format
- `protocol`: The protocol that will be used for the actual download, lower-case (`http`, `https`, `rtsp`, `rtmp`, `rtmpe`, `mms`, `f4m`, `ism`, `http_dash_segments`, `m3u8`, or `m3u8_native`)
- `format_id`: A short description of the format
+ - `language`: Language code
Any string comparison may be prefixed with negation `!` in order to produce an opposite comparison, e.g. `!*=` (does not contain).
- `quality`: The quality of the format. This is a metadata field available in some websites
- `source`, `source_preference`: Preference of the source as given by the extractor
- `proto`, `protocol`: Protocol used for download (`https`/`ftps` > `http`/`ftp` > `m3u8-native` > `m3u8` > `http-dash-segments` > other > `mms`/`rtsp` > unknown > `f4f`/`f4m`)
- - `vcodec`, `video_codec`: Video Codec (`av01` > `vp9` > `h265` > `h264` > `vp8` > `h263` > `theora` > other > unknown)
+ - `vcodec`, `video_codec`: Video Codec (`vp9` > `h265` > `h264` > `vp8` > `h263` > `theora` > other > unknown)
- `acodec`, `audio_codec`: Audio Codec (`opus` > `vorbis` > `aac` > `mp4a` > `mp3` > `ac3` > `dts` > other > unknown)
- `codec`: Equivalent to `vcodec,acodec`
- - `vext`, `video_ext`: Video Extension (`mp4` > `flv` > `webm` > other > unknown). If `--prefer-free-formats` is used, `webm` is prefered.
+ - `vext`, `video_ext`: Video Extension (`mp4` > `webm` > `flv` > other > unknown). If `--prefer-free-formats` is used, `webm` is prefered.
- `aext`, `audio_ext`: Audio Extension (`m4a` > `aac` > `mp3` > `ogg` > `opus` > `webm` > other > unknown). If `--prefer-free-formats` is used, the order changes to `opus` > `ogg` > `webm` > `m4a` > `mp3` > `aac`.
- `ext`, `extension`: Equivalent to `vext,aext`
- `filesize`: Exact filesize, if know in advance. This will be unavailable for mu38 and DASH formats.
- - `filesize_approx`: Approximate filesize calculated the manifests
+ - `filesize_approx`: Approximate filesize calculated from the manifests
- `size`, `filesize_estimate`: Exact filesize if available, otherwise approximate filesize
- `height`: Height of video
- `width`: Width of video
- `br`, `bitrate`: Equivalent to using `tbr,vbr,abr`
- `samplerate`, `asr`: Audio sample rate in Hz
-Note that any other **numerical** field made available by the extractor can also be used. All fields, unless specified otherwise, are sorted in decending order. To reverse this, prefix the field with a `+`. Eg: `+res` prefers format with the smallest resolution. Additionally, you can suffix a prefered value for the fields, seperated by a `:`. Eg: `res:720` prefers larger videos, but no larger than 720p and the smallest video if there are no videos less than 720p. For `codec` and `ext`, you can provide two prefered values, the first for video and the second for audio. Eg: `+codec:avc:m4a` (equivalent to `+vcodec:avc,+acodec:m4a`) sets the video codec preference to `h264` > `h265` > `vp9` > `av01` > `vp8` > `h263` > `theora` and audio codec preference to `mp4a` > `aac` > `vorbis` > `opus` > `mp3` > `ac3` > `dts`. You can also make the sorting prefer the nearest values to the provided by using `~` as the delimiter. Eg: `filesize~1G` prefers the format with filesize closest to 1 GiB.
+Note that any other **numerical** field made available by the extractor can also be used. All fields, unless specified otherwise, are sorted in decending order. To reverse this, prefix the field with a `+`. Eg: `+res` prefers format with the smallest resolution. Additionally, you can suffix a prefered value for the fields, seperated by a `:`. Eg: `res:720` prefers larger videos, but no larger than 720p and the smallest video if there are no videos less than 720p. For `codec` and `ext`, you can provide two prefered values, the first for video and the second for audio. Eg: `+codec:avc:m4a` (equivalent to `+vcodec:avc,+acodec:m4a`) sets the video codec preference to `h264` > `h265` > `vp9` > `vp8` > `h263` > `theora` and audio codec preference to `mp4a` > `aac` > `vorbis` > `opus` > `mp3` > `ac3` > `dts`. You can also make the sorting prefer the nearest values to the provided by using `~` as the delimiter. Eg: `filesize~1G` prefers the format with filesize closest to 1 GiB.
-The fields `has_video`, `extractor`, `lang`, `quality` are always given highest priority in sorting, irrespective of the user-defined order. This behaviour can be changed by using `--force-format-sort`. Apart from these, the default order used by youtube-dlc is: `tbr,filesize,vbr,height,width,protocol,vext,abr,aext,fps,filesize_approx,source_preference,format_id`. Note that the extractors may override this default order, but not the user-provided order.
+The fields `has_video`, `extractor`, `lang`, `quality` are always given highest priority in sorting, irrespective of the user-defined order. This behaviour can be changed by using `--force-format-sort`. Apart from these, the default order used is: `res,fps,codec,size,br,asr,proto,ext,has_audio,source,format_id`. Note that the extractors may override this default order, but they cannot override the user-provided order.
If your format selector is `worst`, the last item is selected after sorting. This means it will select the format that is worst in all repects. Most of the time, what you actually want is the video with the smallest filesize instead. So it is generally better to use `-f best -S +size,+br,+res,+fps`.
```bash
# Download and merge the best best video-only format and the best audio-only format,
# or download the best combined format if video-only format is not available
-$ youtube-dlc
-
-# Same as above
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'bestvideo+bestaudio/best'
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv+ba/b'
# Download best format that contains video,
# and if it doesn't already have an audio stream, merge it with best audio-only format
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'bestvideo*+bestaudio/best' --no-audio-multistreams
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv*+ba/b'
+
+# Same as above
+$ youtube-dlc
+
+# Download the best video-only format and the best audio-only format without merging them
+# For this case, an output template should be used since
+# by default, bestvideo and bestaudio will have the same file name.
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv,ba' -o '%(title)s.f%(format_id)s.%(ext)s'
-# Download the worst video available
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'worstvideo+worstaudio/worst'
+# The following examples show the old method (without -S) of format selection
+# and how to use -S to achieve a similar but better result
+
+# Download the worst video available (old method)
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'wv*+wa/w'
# Download the best video available but with the smallest resolution
$ youtube-dlc -S '+res'
# Download the best mp4 video available, or the best video if no mp4 available
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/best[ext=mp4]/bestvideo+bestaudio / best'
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv*[ext=mp4]+ba[ext=m4a]/b[ext=mp4] / bv*+ba/b'
# Download the best video with the best extension
# (For video, mp4 > webm > flv. For audio, m4a > aac > mp3 ...)
# Download the best video available but no better than 480p,
# or the worst video if there is no video under 480p
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'bestvideo[height<=480]+bestaudio/best[height<=480] / worstvideo+bestaudio/worst'
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv*[height<=480]+ba/b[height<=480] / wv*+ba/w'
# Download the best video available with the largest height but no better than 480p,
# or the best video with the smallest resolution if there is no video under 480p
# Download the best video (that also has audio) but no bigger than 50 MB,
# or the worst video (that also has audio) if there is no video under 50 MB
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'best[filesize<50M] / worst'
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'b[filesize<50M] / w'
# Download largest video (that also has audio) but no bigger than 50 MB,
# or the smallest video (that also has audio) if there is no video under 50 MB
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'best' -S 'filesize:50M'
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'b' -S 'filesize:50M'
# Download best video (that also has audio) that is closest in size to 50 MB
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'best' -S 'filesize~50M'
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'b' -S 'filesize~50M'
# Download best video available via direct link over HTTP/HTTPS protocol,
# or the best video available via any protocol if there is no such video
-$ youtube-dlc -f '(bestvideo+bestaudio/best)[protocol^=http][protocol!*=dash] / bestvideo+bestaudio/best'
+$ youtube-dlc -f '(bv*+ba/b)[protocol^=http][protocol!*=dash] / (bv*+ba/b)'
# Download best video available via the best protocol
# (https/ftps > http/ftp > m3u8_native > m3u8 > http_dash_segments ...)
-# Download the best video-only format and the best audio-only format without merging them
-# For this case, an output template should be used since
-# by default, bestvideo and bestaudio will have the same file name.
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'bestvideo,bestaudio' -o '%(title)s.f%(format_id)s.%(ext)s'
-
-
-
# Download the best video with h264 codec, or the best video if there is no such video
-$ youtube-dlc -f '(bestvideo+bestaudio/best)[vcodec^=avc1] / bestvideo+bestaudio/best'
+$ youtube-dlc -f '(bv*+ba/b)[vcodec^=avc1] / (bv*+ba/b)'
# Download the best video with best codec no better than h264,
# or the best video with worst codec if there is no such video
# More complex examples
# Download the best video no better than 720p prefering framerate greater than 30,
-# or the worst video (prefering framerate greater than 30) if there is no such video
-$ youtube-dlc -f '((bestvideo[fps>30]/bestvideo)[height<=720]/(worstvideo[fps>30]/worstvideo)) + bestaudio / (best[fps>30]/best)[height<=720]/(worst[fps>30]/worst)'
+# or the worst video (still prefering framerate greater than 30) if there is no such video
+$ youtube-dlc -f '((bv*[fps>30]/bv*)[height<=720]/(wv*[fps>30]/wv*)) + ba / (b[fps>30]/b)[height<=720]/(w[fps>30]/w)'
# Download the video with the largest resolution no better than 720p,
# or the video with the smallest resolution available if there is no such video,
# MORE
-For FAQ, Developer Instructions etc., see the [original README](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl)
\ No newline at end of file
+For FAQ, Developer Instructions etc., see the [original README](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl)