Download / Record Youtube Live stream

README.md

Install streamlink utility (https://streamlink.github.io/install.html)

choco install streamlink

Notes:

• Get youtube share link: https://youtu.be/gIB2egm7tL8
• hls-live-restart will record from beginning of stream

Record stream

Option 1: Save youtube stream then convert to mp4 format (Faststart)

streamlink --hls-live-restart https://youtu.be/gIB2egm7tL8 1080p,best -o rec1.ts
ffmpeg -i .\rec1.ts -c copy -bsf:a aac_adtstoasc -f mp4 -movflags faststart+separate_moof .\rec1.mp4

Option 2: Save youtube stream directly to mp4 format (ISMV "smooth streaming")

streamlink --hls-live-restart https://youtu.be/gIB2egm7tL8 1080p,best --stdout | ffmpeg -i pipe:0 -c copy -bsf:a aac_adtstoasc -f mp4 -movflags empty_moov+separate_moof+frag_keyframe .\rec2.mp4

Option 3: Pass youtube stream in media player (e.g. VLC) over mp4 format

streamlink --hls-live-restart https://youtu.be/gIB2egm7tL8 1080p,best --stdout | ffmpeg -i pipe:0 -c copy -bsf:a aac_adtstoasc -f mp4 -movflags empty_moov+separate_moof+frag_keyframe pipe:1 | player

References:

• streamlink/streamlink#1021
• https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-download-youtube-live-stream-videos-using-streamlink/

streamlink often disconnects, this makes it unusual for my purposes of youtube recording :(