visitor@vini.sh:~/posts/yt-dlp$

My yt-dlp settings

This is the yt-dlp command that I use for archiving stuff.

    yt-dlp \
        -f bv+ba/b \
        --cookies-from-browser firefox \
        --restrict-filenames \
        --convert-thumbnails png \
        --sub-langs all \
        --no-write-auto-subs \
        --embed-subs \
        --embed-chapters \
        --embed-thumbnail \
        --embed-info-json \
        --embed-metadata \
        --compat-options no-live-chat \
        "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"

Some quick explanation:

  • -f bv+ba/b: format selection - the best video-only stream with the best audio-only stream. If separate streams are not available, fall back to best combined format
  • --cookies-from-browser firefox: browser cookies to get that sweet premium 1080p bitrate + other advantages of being logged-in
  • --restrict-filenames: self-explanatory, stick to only ASCII characters in the filename. Spaces and & are also avoided

Metadata

  • --embed-info-json and --embed-metadata: making sure we gather the most metadata as possible
  • --embed-chapters: same, but with chapter markers

Thumbnail

  • --convert-thumbnails png and --embed-thumbnail: Convert thumbnail to a common format and embed it

Subtitles (and live chat)

  • --sub-langs all: get all available subtitles
  • --no-write-auto-subs: skip auto-generated subtitles
  • --embed-subs: embed subs directly in the video file so we don’t have to handle a bunch of .srt files
  • --compat-options no-live-chat: skip live chat replay