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yt-local/youtube/channel.py
Astounds 6a68f06645
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Release v0.4.0 - HD Thumbnails, YouTube 2024+ Support, and yt-dlp Integration
Major Features:
- HD video thumbnails (hq720.jpg) with automatic fallback to lower qualities
- HD channel avatars (240x240 instead of 88x88)
- YouTube 2024+ lockupViewModel support for channel playlists
- youtubei/v1/browse API integration for channel playlist tabs
- yt-dlp integration for multi-language audio and subtitles

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed undefined `abort` import in playlist.py
- Fixed undefined functions in proto.py (encode_varint, bytes_to_hex, succinct_encode)
- Fixed missing `traceback` import in proto_debug.py
- Fixed blurry playlist thumbnails using default.jpg instead of HD versions
- Fixed channel playlists page using deprecated pbj=1 format

Improvements:
- Automatic thumbnail fallback system (hq720 → sddefault → hqdefault → mqdefault → default)
- JavaScript thumbnail_fallback() handler for 404 errors
- Better thumbnail quality across all pages (watch, channel, playlist, subscriptions)
- Consistent HD avatar display for all channel items
- Settings system automatically adds new settings without breaking user config

Files Modified:
- youtube/watch.py - HD thumbnails for related videos and playlist items
- youtube/channel.py - HD thumbnails for channel playlists, youtubei API integration
- youtube/playlist.py - HD thumbnails, fixed abort import
- youtube/util.py - HD thumbnail URLs, avatar HD upgrade, prefix_url improvements
- youtube/comments.py - HD video thumbnail
- youtube/subscriptions.py - HD thumbnails, fixed abort import
- youtube/yt_data_extract/common.py - lockupViewModel support, extract_lockup_view_model_info()
- youtube/yt_data_extract/everything_else.py - HD playlist thumbnails
- youtube/proto.py - Fixed undefined function references
- youtube/proto_debug.py - Added traceback import
- youtube/static/js/common.js - thumbnail_fallback() handler
- youtube/templates/*.html - Added onerror handlers for thumbnail fallback
- youtube/version.py - Bump to v0.4.0

Technical Details:
- All thumbnail URLs now use hq720.jpg (1280x720) when available
- Fallback handled client-side via JavaScript onerror handler
- Server-side avatar upgrade via regex in util.prefix_url()
- lockupViewModel parser extracts contentType, metadata, and first_video_id
- Channel playlist tabs now use youtubei/v1/browse instead of deprecated pbj=1
- Settings version system ensures backward compatibility
2026-03-22 20:50:03 -05:00

640 lines
23 KiB
Python

import base64
from youtube import (util, yt_data_extract, local_playlist, subscriptions,
playlist)
from youtube import yt_app
import settings
import urllib
import json
from string import Template
import youtube.proto as proto
import html
import math
import gevent
import re
import cachetools.func
import traceback
import flask
from flask import request
headers_desktop = (
('Accept', '*/*'),
('Accept-Language', 'en-US,en;q=0.5'),
('X-YouTube-Client-Name', '1'),
('X-YouTube-Client-Version', '2.20180830'),
) + util.desktop_ua
headers_mobile = (
('Accept', '*/*'),
('Accept-Language', 'en-US,en;q=0.5'),
('X-YouTube-Client-Name', '2'),
('X-YouTube-Client-Version', '2.20180830'),
) + util.mobile_ua
real_cookie = (('Cookie', 'VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=8XihrAcN1l4'),)
generic_cookie = (('Cookie', 'VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE=ST1Ti53r4fU'),)
# FIXED 2026: YouTube changed continuation token structure (from Invidious commit a9f8127)
# Sort values for YouTube API (from Invidious): 2=popular, 4=newest, 5=oldest
def channel_ctoken_v5(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view=1):
# Map sort values to YouTube API values (Invidious values)
# Input: sort=3 (newest), sort=4 (newest no shorts)
# YouTube expects: 4=newest
sort_mapping = {'1': 2, '2': 5, '3': 4, '4': 4} # 4 is newest without shorts
new_sort = sort_mapping.get(sort, 4)
offset = 30*(int(page) - 1)
# Build continuation token using Invidious structure
# The structure is: base64(protobuf({
# 80226972: {
# 2: channel_id,
# 3: base64(protobuf({
# 110: {
# 3: {
# tab: {
# 1: {
# 1: base64(protobuf({
# 1: base64(protobuf({
# 2: "ST:" + base64(offset_varint)
# }))
# }))
# },
# 2: base64(protobuf({1: UUID}))
# 4: sort_value
# 8: base64(protobuf({
# 1: UUID
# 3: sort_value
# }))
# }
# }
# }
# }))
# }
# }))
# UUID placeholder
uuid_proto = proto.string(1, "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000")
# Offset encoding
offset_varint = proto.uint(1, offset)
offset_encoded = proto.string(2, proto.unpadded_b64encode(offset_varint))
offset_wrapper = proto.string(1, proto.unpadded_b64encode(offset_encoded))
offset_base = proto.string(1, proto.unpadded_b64encode(offset_wrapper))
# Sort value varint
sort_varint = proto.uint(4, new_sort)
# Embedded message with UUID and sort
embedded_inner = uuid_proto + proto.uint(3, new_sort)
embedded_encoded = proto.string(8, proto.unpadded_b64encode(embedded_inner))
# Combine: uuid_wrapper + sort_varint + embedded
tab_inner_content = offset_base + uuid_proto + sort_varint + embedded_encoded
tab_inner = proto.string(1, proto.unpadded_b64encode(tab_inner_content))
tab_wrapper = proto.string(tab, tab_inner)
inner_container = proto.string(3, tab_wrapper)
outer_container = proto.string(110, inner_container)
encoded_inner = proto.percent_b64encode(outer_container)
pointless_nest = proto.string(80226972,
proto.string(2, channel_id)
+ proto.string(3, encoded_inner)
)
return base64.urlsafe_b64encode(pointless_nest).decode('ascii')
def channel_about_ctoken(channel_id):
return proto.make_protobuf(
('base64p',
[
[2, 80226972,
[
[2, 2, channel_id],
[2, 3,
('base64p',
[
[2, 110,
[
[2, 3,
[
[2, 19,
[
[2, 1, b'66b0e9e9-0000-2820-9589-582429a83980'],
]
],
]
],
]
],
]
)
],
]
],
]
)
)
# https://github.com/user234683/youtube-local/issues/151
def channel_ctoken_v4(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view=1):
new_sort = (2 if int(sort) == 1 else 1)
offset = str(30*(int(page) - 1))
pointless_nest = proto.string(80226972,
proto.string(2, channel_id)
+ proto.string(3,
proto.percent_b64encode(
proto.string(110,
proto.string(3,
proto.string(15,
proto.string(1,
proto.string(1,
proto.unpadded_b64encode(
proto.string(1,
proto.unpadded_b64encode(
proto.string(2,
b"ST:"
+ proto.unpadded_b64encode(
proto.string(2, offset)
)
)
)
)
)
)
# targetId, just needs to be present but
# doesn't need to be correct
+ proto.string(2, "63faaff0-0000-23fe-80f0-582429d11c38")
)
# 1 - newest, 2 - popular
+ proto.uint(3, new_sort)
)
)
)
)
)
)
return base64.urlsafe_b64encode(pointless_nest).decode('ascii')
# SORT:
# videos:
# Newest - 3
# Last video added - 4
# view:
# grid: 0 or 1
# list: 2
def channel_ctoken_v3(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view=1):
# page > 1 doesn't work when sorting by oldest
offset = 30*(int(page) - 1)
page_token = proto.string(61, proto.unpadded_b64encode(
proto.string(1, proto.unpadded_b64encode(proto.uint(1,offset)))
))
tab = proto.string(2, tab)
sort = proto.uint(3, int(sort))
shelf_view = proto.uint(4, 0)
view = proto.uint(6, int(view))
continuation_info = proto.string(3,
proto.percent_b64encode(tab + sort + shelf_view + view + page_token)
)
channel_id = proto.string(2, channel_id)
pointless_nest = proto.string(80226972, channel_id + continuation_info)
return base64.urlsafe_b64encode(pointless_nest).decode('ascii')
def channel_ctoken_v2(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view=1):
# see https://github.com/iv-org/invidious/issues/1319#issuecomment-671732646
# page > 1 doesn't work when sorting by oldest
offset = 30*(int(page) - 1)
schema_number = {
3: 6307666885028338688,
2: 17254859483345278706,
1: 16570086088270825023,
}[int(sort)]
page_token = proto.string(61, proto.unpadded_b64encode(proto.string(1,
proto.uint(1, schema_number) + proto.string(2,
proto.string(1, proto.unpadded_b64encode(proto.uint(1,offset)))
)
)))
tab = proto.string(2, tab)
sort = proto.uint(3, int(sort))
#page = proto.string(15, str(page))
shelf_view = proto.uint(4, 0)
view = proto.uint(6, int(view))
continuation_info = proto.string(
3,
proto.percent_b64encode(tab + sort + shelf_view + view + page_token)
)
channel_id = proto.string(2, channel_id)
pointless_nest = proto.string(80226972, channel_id + continuation_info)
return base64.urlsafe_b64encode(pointless_nest).decode('ascii')
def channel_ctoken_v1(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view=1):
tab = proto.string(2, tab)
sort = proto.uint(3, int(sort))
page = proto.string(15, str(page))
# example with shelves in videos tab: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNL1ZadSjHpjm4q9j2sVtOA/videos
shelf_view = proto.uint(4, 0)
view = proto.uint(6, int(view))
continuation_info = proto.string(3, proto.percent_b64encode(tab + view + sort + shelf_view + page + proto.uint(23, 0)) )
channel_id = proto.string(2, channel_id)
pointless_nest = proto.string(80226972, channel_id + continuation_info)
return base64.urlsafe_b64encode(pointless_nest).decode('ascii')
def get_channel_tab(channel_id, page="1", sort=3, tab='videos', view=1,
ctoken=None, print_status=True):
message = 'Got channel tab' if print_status else None
if not ctoken:
if tab in ('videos', 'shorts', 'streams'):
ctoken = channel_ctoken_v5(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view)
else:
ctoken = channel_ctoken_v3(channel_id, page, sort, tab, view)
ctoken = ctoken.replace('=', '%3D')
# Not sure what the purpose of the key is or whether it will change
# For now it seems to be constant for the API endpoint, not dependent
# on the browsing session or channel
key = 'AIzaSyAO_FJ2SlqU8Q4STEHLGCilw_Y9_11qcW8'
url = 'https://www.youtube.com/youtubei/v1/browse?key=' + key
data = {
'context': {
'client': {
'hl': 'en',
'gl': 'US',
'clientName': 'WEB',
'clientVersion': '2.20240327.00.00',
},
},
'continuation': ctoken,
}
content_type_header = (('Content-Type', 'application/json'),)
content = util.fetch_url(
url, headers_desktop + content_type_header,
data=json.dumps(data), debug_name='channel_tab', report_text=message)
return content
# cache entries expire after 30 minutes
number_of_videos_cache = cachetools.TTLCache(128, 30*60)
@cachetools.cached(number_of_videos_cache)
def get_number_of_videos_channel(channel_id):
if channel_id is None:
return 1000
# Uploads playlist
playlist_id = 'UU' + channel_id[2:]
url = 'https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=' + playlist_id + '&pbj=1'
try:
response = util.fetch_url(url, headers_mobile,
debug_name='number_of_videos', report_text='Got number of videos')
except (urllib.error.HTTPError, util.FetchError) as e:
traceback.print_exc()
print("Couldn't retrieve number of videos")
return 1000
response = response.decode('utf-8')
# match = re.search(r'"numVideosText":\s*{\s*"runs":\s*\[{"text":\s*"([\d,]*) videos"', response)
match = re.search(r'"numVideosText".*?([,\d]+)', response)
if match:
return int(match.group(1).replace(',',''))
else:
return 0
def set_cached_number_of_videos(channel_id, num_videos):
@cachetools.cached(number_of_videos_cache)
def dummy_func_using_same_cache(channel_id):
return num_videos
dummy_func_using_same_cache(channel_id)
channel_id_re = re.compile(r'videos\.xml\?channel_id=([a-zA-Z0-9_-]{24})"')
@cachetools.func.lru_cache(maxsize=128)
def get_channel_id(base_url):
# method that gives the smallest possible response at ~4 kb
# needs to be as fast as possible
base_url = base_url.replace('https://www', 'https://m') # avoid redirect
response = util.fetch_url(base_url + '/about?pbj=1', headers_mobile,
debug_name='get_channel_id', report_text='Got channel id').decode('utf-8')
match = channel_id_re.search(response)
if match:
return match.group(1)
return None
metadata_cache = cachetools.LRUCache(128)
@cachetools.cached(metadata_cache)
def get_metadata(channel_id):
base_url = 'https://www.youtube.com/channel/' + channel_id
polymer_json = util.fetch_url(base_url + '/about?pbj=1',
headers_desktop,
debug_name='gen_channel_about',
report_text='Retrieved channel metadata')
info = yt_data_extract.extract_channel_info(json.loads(polymer_json),
'about',
continuation=False)
return extract_metadata_for_caching(info)
def set_cached_metadata(channel_id, metadata):
@cachetools.cached(metadata_cache)
def dummy_func_using_same_cache(channel_id):
return metadata
dummy_func_using_same_cache(channel_id)
def extract_metadata_for_caching(channel_info):
metadata = {}
for key in ('approx_subscriber_count', 'short_description', 'channel_name',
'avatar'):
metadata[key] = channel_info[key]
return metadata
def get_number_of_videos_general(base_url):
return get_number_of_videos_channel(get_channel_id(base_url))
def get_channel_search_json(channel_id, query, page):
offset = proto.unpadded_b64encode(proto.uint(3, (page-1)*30))
params = proto.string(2, 'search') + proto.string(15, offset)
params = proto.percent_b64encode(params)
ctoken = proto.string(2, channel_id) + proto.string(3, params) + proto.string(11, query)
ctoken = base64.urlsafe_b64encode(proto.nested(80226972, ctoken)).decode('ascii')
key = 'AIzaSyAO_FJ2SlqU8Q4STEHLGCilw_Y9_11qcW8'
url = 'https://www.youtube.com/youtubei/v1/browse?key=' + key
data = {
'context': {
'client': {
'hl': 'en',
'gl': 'US',
'clientName': 'WEB',
'clientVersion': '2.20240327.00.00',
},
},
'continuation': ctoken,
}
content_type_header = (('Content-Type', 'application/json'),)
polymer_json = util.fetch_url(
url, headers_desktop + content_type_header,
data=json.dumps(data), debug_name='channel_search')
return polymer_json
def post_process_channel_info(info):
info['avatar'] = util.prefix_url(info['avatar'])
info['channel_url'] = util.prefix_url(info['channel_url'])
for item in info['items']:
# For playlists, use first_video_id for thumbnail, not playlist id
if item.get('type') == 'playlist' and item.get('first_video_id'):
item['thumbnail'] = "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/{}/hq720.jpg".format(item['first_video_id'])
elif item.get('type') == 'video':
item['thumbnail'] = "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/{}/hq720.jpg".format(item['id'])
# For channels and other types, keep existing thumbnail
util.prefix_urls(item)
util.add_extra_html_info(item)
if info['current_tab'] == 'about':
for i, (text, url) in enumerate(info['links']):
if isinstance(url, str) and util.YOUTUBE_URL_RE.fullmatch(url):
info['links'][i] = (text, util.prefix_url(url))
def get_channel_first_page(base_url=None, tab='videos', channel_id=None, sort=None):
if channel_id:
base_url = 'https://www.youtube.com/channel/' + channel_id
# Build URL with sort parameter
# YouTube URL sort params: p=popular, dd=newest, lad=newest no shorts
# Note: 'da' (oldest) was removed by YouTube in January 2026
url = base_url + '/' + tab + '?pbj=1&view=0'
if sort:
# Map sort values to YouTube's URL parameter values
sort_map = {'3': 'dd', '4': 'lad'}
url += '&sort=' + sort_map.get(sort, 'dd')
return util.fetch_url(url, headers_desktop, debug_name='gen_channel_' + tab)
playlist_sort_codes = {'2': "da", '3': "dd", '4': "lad"}
# youtube.com/[channel_id]/[tab]
# youtube.com/user/[username]/[tab]
# youtube.com/c/[custom]/[tab]
# youtube.com/[custom]/[tab]
def get_channel_page_general_url(base_url, tab, request, channel_id=None):
page_number = int(request.args.get('page', 1))
# sort 1: views
# sort 2: oldest
# sort 4: newest - no shorts (Just a kludge on our end, not internal to yt)
default_sort = '3' if settings.include_shorts_in_channel else '4'
sort = request.args.get('sort', default_sort)
view = request.args.get('view', '1')
query = request.args.get('query', '')
ctoken = request.args.get('ctoken', '')
include_shorts = (sort != '4')
default_params = (page_number == 1 and sort in ('3', '4') and view == '1')
continuation = bool(ctoken) # whether or not we're using a continuation
page_size = 30
try_channel_api = True
polymer_json = None
# Use the special UU playlist which contains all the channel's uploads
if tab == 'videos' and sort in ('3', '4'):
if not channel_id:
channel_id = get_channel_id(base_url)
if page_number == 1 and include_shorts:
tasks = (
gevent.spawn(playlist.playlist_first_page,
'UU' + channel_id[2:],
report_text='Retrieved channel videos'),
gevent.spawn(get_metadata, channel_id),
)
gevent.joinall(tasks)
util.check_gevent_exceptions(*tasks)
# Ignore the metadata for now, it is cached and will be
# recalled later
pl_json = tasks[0].value
pl_info = yt_data_extract.extract_playlist_info(pl_json)
number_of_videos = pl_info['metadata']['video_count']
if number_of_videos is None:
number_of_videos = 1000
else:
set_cached_number_of_videos(channel_id, number_of_videos)
else:
tasks = (
gevent.spawn(playlist.get_videos, 'UU' + channel_id[2:],
page_number, include_shorts=include_shorts),
gevent.spawn(get_metadata, channel_id),
gevent.spawn(get_number_of_videos_channel, channel_id),
)
gevent.joinall(tasks)
util.check_gevent_exceptions(*tasks)
pl_json = tasks[0].value
pl_info = yt_data_extract.extract_playlist_info(pl_json)
number_of_videos = tasks[2].value
info = pl_info
info['channel_id'] = channel_id
info['current_tab'] = 'videos'
if info['items']: # Success
page_size = 100
try_channel_api = False
else: # Try the first-page method next
try_channel_api = True
# Use the regular channel API
if tab in ('shorts', 'streams') or (tab=='videos' and try_channel_api):
if channel_id:
num_videos_call = (get_number_of_videos_channel, channel_id)
else:
num_videos_call = (get_number_of_videos_general, base_url)
# For page 1, use the first-page method which won't break
# Pass sort parameter directly (2=oldest, 3=newest, etc.)
if page_number == 1:
# Always use first-page method for page 1 with sort parameter
page_call = (get_channel_first_page, base_url, tab, None, sort)
else:
# For page 2+, we can't paginate without continuation tokens
# This is a YouTube limitation, not our bug
flask.abort(404, 'Pagination not available for this sort option. YouTube removed this feature.')
tasks = (
gevent.spawn(*num_videos_call),
gevent.spawn(*page_call),
)
gevent.joinall(tasks)
util.check_gevent_exceptions(*tasks)
number_of_videos, polymer_json = tasks[0].value, tasks[1].value
elif tab == 'about':
# polymer_json = util.fetch_url(base_url + '/about?pbj=1', headers_desktop, debug_name='gen_channel_about')
channel_id = get_channel_id(base_url)
ctoken = channel_about_ctoken(channel_id)
polymer_json = util.call_youtube_api('web', 'browse', {
'continuation': ctoken,
})
continuation=True
elif tab == 'playlists' and page_number == 1:
# Use youtubei API instead of deprecated pbj=1 format
if not channel_id:
channel_id = get_channel_id(base_url)
ctoken = channel_ctoken_v3(channel_id, page='1', sort=sort, tab='playlists', view=view)
polymer_json = util.call_youtube_api('web', 'browse', {
'continuation': ctoken,
})
continuation = True
elif tab == 'playlists':
polymer_json = get_channel_tab(channel_id, page_number, sort,
'playlists', view)
continuation = True
elif tab == 'search' and channel_id:
polymer_json = get_channel_search_json(channel_id, query, page_number)
elif tab == 'search':
url = base_url + '/search?pbj=1&query=' + urllib.parse.quote(query, safe='')
polymer_json = util.fetch_url(url, headers_desktop, debug_name='gen_channel_search')
elif tab == 'videos':
pass
else:
flask.abort(404, 'Unknown channel tab: ' + tab)
if polymer_json is not None:
info = yt_data_extract.extract_channel_info(
json.loads(polymer_json), tab, continuation=continuation
)
if info['error'] is not None:
return flask.render_template('error.html', error_message=info['error'])
if channel_id:
info['channel_url'] = 'https://www.youtube.com/channel/' + channel_id
info['channel_id'] = channel_id
else:
channel_id = info['channel_id']
# Will have microformat present, cache metadata while we have it
if channel_id and default_params and tab not in ('videos', 'about'):
metadata = extract_metadata_for_caching(info)
set_cached_metadata(channel_id, metadata)
# Otherwise, populate with our (hopefully cached) metadata
elif channel_id and info.get('channel_name') is None:
metadata = get_metadata(channel_id)
for key, value in metadata.items():
yt_data_extract.conservative_update(info, key, value)
# need to add this metadata to the videos/playlists
additional_info = {
'author': info['channel_name'],
'author_id': info['channel_id'],
'author_url': info['channel_url'],
}
for item in info['items']:
item.update(additional_info)
if tab in ('videos', 'shorts', 'streams'):
info['number_of_videos'] = number_of_videos
info['number_of_pages'] = math.ceil(number_of_videos/page_size)
info['header_playlist_names'] = local_playlist.get_playlist_names()
if tab in ('videos', 'shorts', 'streams', 'playlists'):
info['current_sort'] = sort
elif tab == 'search':
info['search_box_value'] = query
info['header_playlist_names'] = local_playlist.get_playlist_names()
if tab in ('search', 'playlists'):
info['page_number'] = page_number
info['subscribed'] = subscriptions.is_subscribed(info['channel_id'])
post_process_channel_info(info)
return flask.render_template('channel.html',
parameters_dictionary = request.args,
**info
)
@yt_app.route('/channel/<channel_id>/')
@yt_app.route('/channel/<channel_id>/<tab>')
def get_channel_page(channel_id, tab='videos'):
return get_channel_page_general_url('https://www.youtube.com/channel/' + channel_id, tab, request, channel_id)
@yt_app.route('/user/<username>/')
@yt_app.route('/user/<username>/<tab>')
def get_user_page(username, tab='videos'):
return get_channel_page_general_url('https://www.youtube.com/user/' + username, tab, request)
@yt_app.route('/c/<custom>/')
@yt_app.route('/c/<custom>/<tab>')
def get_custom_c_page(custom, tab='videos'):
return get_channel_page_general_url('https://www.youtube.com/c/' + custom, tab, request)
@yt_app.route('/<custom>')
@yt_app.route('/<custom>/<tab>')
def get_toplevel_custom_page(custom, tab='videos'):
return get_channel_page_general_url('https://www.youtube.com/' + custom, tab, request)