Live data from Hacker News

Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

github.com

41–50 of 142 posts

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#41

While an interesting project, at first glance I don't really see what this front-end brings to YouTube compared to the original front-end. Speed, maybe? But this comes at the cost the UX. I would much rather see something like this implemented: https://uxdesign.cc/my-attempt-at-redesigning-youtube-for-a-...

> I don't really see what this front-end brings to YouTube compared to the original front-end.

Well I don't want my Google account to be associated with the videos I watch. Nor do I want to be automatically signed into YouTube if I login to my Google account and watch a YouTube video.

As long it plays YouTube videos and it removes Google's tracking, then that is enough for me, UX changes is a bonus.

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#43
post #2

This looks neat! Without all the Google/Alphabet spying. I’ve noticed that this project is written in Crystal, is Crystal production ready? I've looked into it months ago and it seems that there are a lot of breaking changes on every release and this scares me from using it.

> I've looked into it months ago and it seems that there are a lot of breaking changes on every release and this scares me from using it.

Don't worry, as soon as Auntie Apple, Uncle Uber or someone as large as Mr Microsoft goes and adopts Crystal as soon as it reaches 1.0, then we will all immediately run to learning it just like we all did for Kubernetes, Docker, Elixir, Go and finally with its great success and without any formal introduction, we have all wanted to purse learning Mozilla's new and most excellent general-purpose programming language:

Rust.

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have clarified that this means they can terminate their services, not your accounts. However with recent balls ups it was easy to read it differently

It written right ther: > Terminations and Suspensions by YouTube for Cause > YouTube may suspend or terminate your access, your Google account, or your Google account’s access to all or part of the Service The question is why we still don't believe it even when it's written in black and white?

What is there to terminate if you browse Youtube without signing in?

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#46
post #44

'Log in with Google' asks me for my google account and password. Wat. No. You should never, ever be asking people for this information, even if you're transparently passing it upstream. This is a tier-one no-no.

Giving a fake username and password results in

> Expected Array for #[]?(index : Int), not Int64

> Traceback:

> Getting lookup...done, returned 200.

> Getting challenge...done, returned 400.

So, yeah, nope. Why not use Google's SSO to connect accounts?

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#47
post #44

'Log in with Google' asks me for my google account and password. Wat. No. You should never, ever be asking people for this information, even if you're transparently passing it upstream. This is a tier-one no-no.

I am guessing that this service falls squarely into "prohibited by Google's AUP" and thus they don't have much of a choice. Either that or, to prevent clones like this one, Google has deliberately not exposed an API to do whatever this app needs to do.

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#48
post #44

'Log in with Google' asks me for my google account and password. Wat. No. You should never, ever be asking people for this information, even if you're transparently passing it upstream. This is a tier-one no-no.

Giving a fake username and password results in > Expected Array for #[]?(index : Int), not Int64 > Traceback: > Getting lookup...done, returned 200. > Getting challenge...done, returned 400. So, yeah, nope. Why not use Google's SSO to connect accounts?

Google has a history of disabling oath for services like these. There is also an invidious account system you can use to avoid using your Google account.

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#49
post #3

Is it possible to display my "Subscriptions" screen from YT? That's the only thing I use to decide what's to watch next.

For that I'd suggest different approach: using FreeTube[1][2] client which carries subscriptions locally; you can export and import channels in FreeTube format, NewPipe and OPML. FreeTube uses invidious to fetch and play videos - among other two players; it's also possible to change the instance in case of any issues. Sadly, I can't tell if it's possible to import YT subscriptions since I don't use the service with Google account for years.

[1] - https://freetubeapp.io/

[2] - https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube

Re: Invidious: an alternative front-end to YouTube

#50

maximum resolution in Invidious is 720p even 1080p is supported when goes to youtube. Are there some technical limitations?

Yes, 720p and past is only stored on the google servers with audio and video seperate. So, the only way to watch at those resolutions is for invidious to pass through the video.

I think there is a plan to get 1080p working though

Post reply on HN