mpv-ytdlautoformat

A simple mpv script to automatically change ytdl-format for Youtube and Twitch by default, but more domains can be added as desired.

If a domain match is found, ytdl-format is set to: 720p and no VP9 codec. Otherwise, ytdl-format is set as you have it in mpv.conf or uses defaults from mpv or yt-dlp.

Options

To adjust matched domains, simply edit the domains list.
To adjust quality of matched domains, edit setQuality value.
To allow VP9 codec for matched domains, change enableVP9 to true.

Note

The options only affect matched URLs from the domains list.

Tip

You can set a default value in mpv.conf for non-matched domains. You don't have to, but this gives you more control on all streams you play.

Examples for mpv.conf:

ytdl-format=bv[vcodec!~='vp0?9']+ba/b
ytdl-format=bv[height<=1080][vcodec!~='vp0?9']+ba/b[height<=1080]

How is this script useful?

Some streaming websites do not offer multi-quality per video. So if you have ytdl-format in mpv.conf set to only play 480p or 720p videos, mpv/yt-dlp will not run it because it cannot find a video with the specified format.

This script helps you set a lower or a specific quality for some websites, while leaving the rest as default. That way all video streams will play and you won't have to keep editing mpv.conf each time to make it work.

Changes to mpv configuration made by the script

If a domain match is found, the script will change ytdl-format to the values you have set within the script, only for the current playing stream.

No files are edited or changed in any way.

How to install

Simply place ytdlautoformat.lua in the corresponding mpv scripts folder of your operating system:

Windows: %APPDATA%\mpv\scripts\ or C:\users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\mpv\scripts\
Linux: ~/.config/mpv/scripts/ or /home/USERNAME/.config/mpv/scripts/
Mac: ~/.config/mpv/scripts/ or /Users/USERNAME/.config/mpv/scripts/

Note

More information about files locations can be found here

config/mpv
│   input.conf
│   mpv.conf
│
└───scripts
        ytdlautoformat.lua

How to uninstall

The script doesn't change or alter configuration in other files, so removing the ytdlautoformat.lua script from the mpv scripts folder is all that is needed to uninstall.

Preview

Screenshot showing steps the script goes through for a matched domain with a changed quality to 720p and to not use VP9 codec.

Alternatives

I like to keep my mpv configuration simple, that is why I created this script to match my simple usecase.

However, there are solid alternatives that provide more on demand options, such as:

mpv-selectformat: mpv plugin for selecting the format of internet videos.
mpv-quality-menu: Allows you to change the streamed video and audio quality (ytdl-format) on the fly.

They can be added alongside ytdlautoformat.lua as there are no conflicts between them.

Samillion/mpv-ytdlautoformat