cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/14909762

It seems YT started another attempt at blocking alternative clients. They changed something in their API and both SmartTube and Tubular (NewPipe fork) are completely broken. Apparently it started happening this past week, but we personally just felt it today.

Edit: SmartTube already has an update but still not working for 4K videos it seems. Tubular still not working but it might be due to the upstream (NewPipe) is still working on a fix.

  • UKFilmNerd@feddit.ukEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    I don’t understand it, but going through various githubs, the problem has been discovered. Here it is:

    YouTube changed their code to make it more difficult to extract the throttling parameter decryption function.

    There was some coding demonstrating the problem but it was way over my head. Hopefully fixes are coming soon as the issue was marked as urgent. It looks like they know what needs changing.

  • Dessalines@lemmy.ml
    0·
    2 months ago

    I’ve been trying for a while now to integrate torrents properly into lemmy, just need more time for testing and demonstration. Torrents really are the only way forward for video content, youtube will just keep getting worse and worse.

    • ReversalHatchery@beehaw.orgEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      That’s an interesting concept. Thought how will it work for mobile users? Uploading there is often costly, both in the limited data plan and battery life.

      • Dessalines@lemmy.ml
        0·
        2 months ago

        Like most torrents currently… most seeders have lots of HD space and network bandwidth, and are happy to share to the occasional leech as long as the torrents stay alive.

        Also there are some mobile clients like libretorrent that can be set to turn on only when plugged in.

        • ReversalHatchery@beehaw.orgEnglish
          0·
          2 months ago

          Ok, but… hmm. Do you have statistics on the share between desktop and mobile users? Maybe I’m wrong, but I think most browse lemmy from a phone. Most torrents work fine because most torrenters do that on a PC, but relatively very few on a phone. I’m honestly interested if you have some info on that.

          In any case, I hope it works out because I would love if it would. Thanks for your work!

    • 299792458ms@lemmy.zip
      0·
      2 months ago

      I find it useful changing instances in invidious, there is usually at least one up and running. You could use Clipious or Materialious apps on Android for easy access. Btw I once had Tubular, Newpipe, Libretube(piped.video) and Clipious installed all at the same time because of the same issues with Youtube attacking privacy front ends.

  • Jeena@piefed.jeena.netEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Will this be how I’ll finally be able to ditch the last Google service I’m still using? That would be a win for me.

    • Jeena@piefed.jeena.netEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      Interesting that right now on the same home network all the same apps still work on my phone but not on the Chromecast anymore (I watch mostly on TV.

    • Nima@leminal.spaceEnglish
      0·
      2 months ago

      probably a lot of people that aren’t you. but I’m glad you felt the need to rush in to state that you are not being affected.

      thank goodness you aren’t. i was really worried there.

    • cron@feddit.org
      0·
      2 months ago

      Generally, changes on platforms like YouTube are always gradually rolled out.

  • stardust@lemmy.caEnglish
    0·
    2 months ago

    Freetube on desktop has been working somewhat being able to switch to invidious. But for Android I’ve fallen back to Firefox + Ublock Origin + Sponsorblock.