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Is youtube limiting video quality for alt front ends? (self.technology)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by emma to c/technology

5 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've been using Piped (non-tracking alternative front end) and the video quality dropped a wee while ago. Just trying to work out where the problem is. Same video was much clearer on youtube than through Piped.
Thought I would inquire here before I try a different Piped instance.

edit: Further investigating I think I've figured out how to watch through a different instance, at least as a temporary work around, and without having to do a migration (if that's even possible) or make a new account. Anyway, the video quality there (so far) is what I'd expect (and good enough for my laptop).

It also seems that in doing this I've inadvertently lost access to all of my playlists. F***

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[–] floridaman@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Could be something to do with YouTube's new adblock policy. They confirmed they are temporarily disabling playback for users with adblockers. Not sure how Piped blocks ads but it could be to do with this.

[–] emma 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the reply. "Temporarily disabling playback" sounds like the videos wouldn't run at all, rather than what I'm experiencing - they run but with significantly lower visual quality. I think it's an instance thing. Will edit my original post with my current understanding.

[–] Max_P@lemmy.max-p.me 4 points 1 year ago

AFAIK they dropped quality overall for non-premium users. Mainly, 4K is no longer available, and I think you get slightly lower bitrates for 1080p as well.

[–] Helvedeshunden 4 points 1 year ago

I've only seen 720p quality outside of youtube itself.

[–] trekz 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Hmm Piped has always had low quality videos. Or are you saying the quality is even lower now?

[–] emma 1 points 1 year ago

Lower. It's fine watching through another instance. Or at least good enough for this laptop. It's not like I'm casting onto a giant telly or anything normal ;)