What to do with a youtube-dl mp4? SOLVED

[SameSelf]

So I downloaded my first video using youtube-dl. On the surface it works great. However, I ended up with an MP4 that none of my NLEs will read properly:

General
Complete name               : D:\video.mp4
Format                      : dash
Codec ID                    : dash
File size                   : 1.50 GiB
Duration                    : 1h 44mn
Overall bit rate            : 2 051 Kbps
Encoded date                : UTC 2017-06-03 14:00:07
Tagged date                 : UTC 2017-06-04 00:42:35

Video
ID                          : 1
Format                      : AVC
Format/Info                 : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile              : Main@L3.1
Format settings, CABAC      : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames   : 1 frame
Codec ID                    : avc1
Codec ID/Info               : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                    : 1h 44mn
Bit rate                    : 2 045 Kbps
Width                       : 1 280 pixels
Height                      : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio        : 16:9
Frame rate mode             : Variable
Frame rate                  : 30.067 fps
Minimum frame rate          : 30.000 fps
Maximum frame rate          : 1 000.000 fps
Color space                 : YUV
Chroma subsampling          : 4:2:0
Bit depth                   : 8 bits
Scan type                   : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)          : 0.074
Stream size                 : 1.50 GiB (100%)
Encoded date                : UTC 2017-06-03 14:00:07
Tagged date                 : UTC 2017-06-03 14:00:07
Color range                 : Limited
Color primaries             : BT.709
Transfer characteristics    : BT.709
Matrix coefficients         : BT.709

I am guessing the reason is due to the VFR, but there is lots of stuff about missing MOOV atom. The ONLY program that seems to know what to do with this video is MKVTool. But I want to be able to edit the video. Any ideas?

Also, I used the following command to download:

youtube-dl -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" "URL"

However, I am not sure I actually got the best video listed from the -F list:

format code  extension  resolution note
139          m4a        audio only DASH audio   64k , m4a_dash container, mp4a.40.5@ 48k (24000Hz)
140          m4a        audio only DASH audio  144k , m4a_dash container, mp4a.40.2@128k (48000Hz)
160          mp4        256x144    DASH video  124k , avc1.42c00b, 30fps, video only
133          mp4        426x240    DASH video  258k , avc1.4d4015, 30fps, video only
134          mp4        640x360    DASH video  646k , avc1.4d401e, 30fps, video only
135          mp4        854x480    DASH video 1171k , avc1.4d401f, 30fps, video only
136          mp4        1280x720   DASH video 2326k , avc1.4d401f, 30fps, video only
17           3gp        256x144    small , mp4v.20.3, mp4a.40.2@ 24k
36           3gp        426x240    small , mp4v.20.3, mp4a.40.2
18           mp4        640x360    medium , avc1.42001E, mp4a.40.2@ 96k
22           mp4        1280x720   hd720 , avc1.64001F, mp4a.40.2@192k (best)

But I can't figure out how to specify format code 22. Given the fact that the m4a is 128 kbps, I am convinced it DL format codes 140 and 136.

[jagabo]

"-f 22" instead of "-f "bestvideo+bestaudio""

https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/blob/master/README.md#format-selection

[sneaker]

Download ffmpeg and copy the ffmpeg.exe (it's in the "bin" sub-folder) into the same directory as youtube-dl.exe (or %PATH%). Then youtube-dl will use ffmpeg to mux video+audio to "proper" mp4. This is necessary for mp4 streams >720p. For 720p you can do like jagabo said.

Then to download always best quality mp4 (not webm):
youtube-dl -f "bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]" "URL"
(read link supplied by jagabo for more info)

[SameSelf]

Thanks for the tips guys. When I try -f 22 it returns a 404: Not Found error. Any guesses on why? Maybe I need another switch?

-f ### works on the DASH streams but returns a 404 error on all the non-DASH streams. It seems like I am stuck with just the DASH video/audio? Hmm.

[sneaker]

Update to latest youtube-dl and try again. Did you mistype the URL?

Otherwise report bug to them:
https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/blob/master/README.md#bugs

[SameSelf]

Thanks looks like I will be reporting a bug.

[sneaker]

Is it the same with all videos or just this one?

[poisondeathray]

It works with other YT videos. Maybe an issue with that specific video, or error in commandline

[SameSelf]

There is no error in the cmd line, I am able to query the available formats with -F then simply edit the -F portion of the cmd to -f 22, 404 error, but if I change the 22 to 136, no error. So it is either a bug or there is something up with that particular stream.

IOW, I wish it was user error.

[jagabo]

What's the URL you're trying to dl from? I just tried -f 22 on some random youtube videos and had no problems.

[SameSelf]

I saw that there was an update for youtube-dl listed on the VH homepage today even though I downloaded the "latest" version ~24 hours ago. But I decided to give it a go just in case since my download didn't have a version number. And what do you know, it worked! So I guess there was a bug, maybe the developers were monitoring this thread. Who knows. And the best part is now all my NLEs recognize the mp4. Thanks for all the help.