A simple mpv script that automatically adjusts ytdl-format (yt-dlp) for specified domains.

If a domain match is found, the script sets ytdl-format based on predefined options. It also has a fallback mode, in case the custom ytdl-format was not found.

Some streaming websites lack multi-format options, meaning if ytdl-format in mpv.conf is set to 480p or 720p only, mpv/yt-dlp may fail to play videos without matching formats.

This script allows you to set video quality and codec for specific websites while keeping the default setting for others, ensuring smooth playback without constantly editing mpv.conf.

To adjust options, simply change the values inside local options within the script.

local options = {
    -- Which domains should ytdl-format change on?
    domains = {
        "youtu.be", "youtube.com", "www.youtube.com",
        "twitch.tv", "www.twitch.tv",
    },

    -- Set maximum video quality (on load/start)
    -- 240, 360, 480, 720, 1080, 1440, 2160, 4320
    -- use 0 to ignore quality
    quality = 720,

    -- Prefered codec. avc, hevc, vp9, av1 or novp9
    -- novp9: accept any codec except vp9
    codec = "avc",

    -- rare: to avoid mpv shutting down if nothing is found with the specified format
    -- if true, and format not found, it'll use fallback_format
    fallback = true,
    fallback_format = "bv+ba/b",
}

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/

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

I prefer a simple mpv configuration, so I created this script to fit my basic use case.

However, there are excellent alternatives offering more dynamic options, such as:

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

These can be used alongside ytdlautoformat.lua without conflicts.