Youtube videos no longer work in my browser.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 02:56:44 pm
content: As the title suggests, for some time now whilst viewing Youtube videos I would see a yellow banner message stating that"We'll stop supporting this browser soon, for the best experience please update your browser". I watched a video this morning without any problems but just now went to watch Dave's latest video and got a message declaring"video format not supported".I mainly watch Youtube videos on an older LG Smart TV which runs a gutted version of Chrome 22 and there is no longer any support for this model in regards to firmware or browser updates. The TV features and functions have always worked perfectly but the browser has been somewhat problematic since new as some pages were either slow to load or would not load at all.So now I need to find a solution to this inconvenient dilemma and my options are to either buy a new Smart TV or get a Raspberry Pi or Stick PC to use as the internet browser on the exising TV. I know some people cringe at the thought of using a Smart TV but for my needs this one has been ideal and I liked that all of the functions and internet activity can be done with a mouse, the TV is also completely silent as well.I can't really justify buying a new TV so I would appreciate if others could give me some guidance and opinions on the most practical solution. I have computers for other stuff in the study but this one is for the bedroom so it must be silent. The current TV is an LG 32LA6230 with 3 x HDMI and 3 x USB ports and I only use one USB port for a mouse, all of the HDMI ports are free.Someone else in the same boat.https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/27621880?hi=en

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 03:10:39 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on May 19, 2020, 02:56:44 pmIt will suck. On anything below RPi 4 it's basically unusable. On 4 you can deal with that but still sucks.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 03:13:44 pm
content: Getting an external PC is the best long term solution. I won't comment on whether a Raspberry Pi, SFF PC or old junk computer is a better solution as that depends on your means and wants.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 03:25:26 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on May 19, 2020, 03:10:39 pmOnly a few weeks ago a non-technical friend rang and asked me about using a Raspberry Pi 4 to make his old TV "Smart" internet wise. I watched a few vdeos on the subject but didn't think I would need to do the same thing. He went ahead and ordered a RPi 4 from RS anyway and is waiting on it to be delivered so I will get to see how it works before commiting.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 04:01:58 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on May 19, 2020, 03:13:44 pmI agree and have plenty of computers, laptops and tablets elsewhere but they are not really an ideal solution in the bedroom, the TV with all its faults has been a good compromise in that regard.

author: chriva
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 04:04:57 pm
content: Get one of those "sticks" you plug in the HDMI socket.I personally prefer the ones running windows since they just work and I don't have to think about updates. Windows 10 won't be obsolete in many years and you can still run most software for even longer once it is. (Also quite cheap)Android ones are probably more user friendly but they have a tendency to become obsolete in a year or so with no further updates.If not above, go for a raspberry. Most if not all of them support CEC. A mode that lets you use the TV remote to control it as long as the TV has support for it. Even my old plasma behemoth supports it so I find it very likely that yours do tooPerfect Kodi etc

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 04:25:16 pm
content: Amazon Fire Stick, great for bedroom, has a remote.

author: Domagoj T
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 04:28:49 pm
content: I presume it's an android TV? Can you go to the play store and try downloading some other browser? Also, have you tried using Youtube app directly (as opposed to browser)?

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 04:43:42 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on May 19, 2020, 04:25:16 pmThis looks like a good option and similar to a Stick PC. I just Googled "Amazon Fire Stick" and clicked on a Youtube review to be confronted withVideo format not supported.Having to change to a new routine is going to be a real challenge.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 05:26:45 pm
content: Quote from: Domagoj T on May 19, 2020, 04:28:49 pmFrom memory (which it severely lacks by the way) it ran an LG webOS Linux based thing and you could only install specific LG applications which required an online account or registration, at the time LG were suspected of monitoring users viewing and online activity so I never signed up.A link to the LG spying on users story.http://doctorbeet.blogspot.com/2013/11/lg-smart-tvs-logging-usb-filenames-and.html

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 11:30:26 pm
content: I have a Sony TV with a built-in app and browser but the browser is a total joke and the app is slow responsive. Bought a Amazon Fire Stick 4K and Gosh, what a difference. The stick is so snappy and quick when searching using the remote. The remote also controls the TV sound volume and power on/off, which is handy. I do not watch much of a broadcast TV, mainly Youtube so using just the Stick's remote. The Stick also has one of those dumb voice assistance but I never use it.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 11:55:08 pm
content: Connect a cheap PC to the TV and carry on.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 12:26:25 am
content: Raspberry Pi (all of them) plays 1080p just fine. The 4 will also handle 4K, although I'm not sure of the current state of the GPU drivers.Something else to consider is getting a wireless HDMI or HDMI over CAT6 kit to connect a remote PC.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 01:10:12 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on May 20, 2020, 12:26:25 amIt may play fine, if you simply play video in Kodi. If you say it about youtube, it's completely uninformed BS claim.

author: OwO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 10:47:48 am
content: Playing youtube in the browser does not work well on any platform. Use something like newpipe on android.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 11:36:57 am
content: I have a Raspberry Pi 3, running Kodi/OSMC as my media center, and plugged to the main TV screen.It addition to watch movies/videos stored on a local NAS, I also use it to comfortably watch all my subscribed Youtube channels via an add-on.

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 11:53:38 am
content: https://www.necdisplay.com/system-on-a-chip/

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 12:29:40 pm
content: QuoteWait - your ideal ..ahem.. 'bedtime' viewing is a Dave video? The TV could the least of your problems

author: thinkfat
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 01:46:27 pm
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on May 19, 2020, 05:26:45 pmThe Youtube app from LGs store is what I use. So far it hasn't stopped working.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 06:22:06 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on May 20, 2020, 01:10:12 amYoutube often likes to default to VP9 which is not supported by the Raspberry Pi GPU, but if you force H.264 for streaming or downloading, it works just fine.https://github.com/kloshar4o/omxYouTubeThere's probably some embedded board that's better for Youtube while not costing very much more than a Raspberry Pi, the main disadvantage is less documentation.Quote from: dunkemhigh on May 20, 2020, 12:29:40 pmThere's a lot of controversy regarding the health effects of watching TV just before bedtime, seemingly centered on "blue light". Some later studies indicate that overall brightness is more important than just the blue light.I didn't see anything regarding watching just before bedtime, it's possible the bedroom doubles as a home theater. Makes sense considering reducing stray light and noise is often a goal for both.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 07:19:00 pm
content: QuoteIf you're quiet... and look up... hear that?"whoooooooosh"

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 07:21:26 pm
content: Quote from: Karel on May 20, 2020, 11:53:38 amThat's bloody awesome. Just what I needed for a project as well. Thanks for posting it.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 12:08:59 am
content: This is why I don't buy anything "smart"I just use an HTPC with VLC.

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 12:12:23 pm
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on May 19, 2020, 03:13:44 pmI use a USB extension cable from the back of the TV & an USB thumb drive or USB HDD , then download any video off the web Fb , twitter or YT most at 720p as 4K is over kill file-size hogs. one to two hrs of video a day

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 12:52:51 pm
content: I though I was old... but Raspberry-Pi is dead isn't it???Like Beta vs VHS !

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 08:50:48 pm
content: Quote from: OwO on May 20, 2020, 10:47:48 amYoutube seems to do fine in various browsers and platforms. The issues I experience with Youtube aren't of a technological nature.

author: bsfeechannel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 09:46:37 pm
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on May 21, 2020, 12:52:51 pmMind me asking, what killed it?

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:53:51 pm
content: Popularity.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 12:34:48 pm
content: Quote from: bsfeechannel on May 21, 2020, 09:46:37 pmDo you mean the 'Raspberry Pi' or 'Beta' ??Like most things in life, it just gets down to timing & chance. 'Beta' may have overtaken 'VHS', butsimply came down to what was popular/promoted the most at the time. With 'Raspberry', it was a'fad' at the time, that could have gone anywhere, rightly or wrongly, that was destroyed by 'Arduino'

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 10:14:38 pm
content: Quote from: GlennSprigg on May 23, 2020, 12:34:48 pmI don't think Arduino killed the Raspberry Pi. If anything the Raspberry has been stealing market share from Arduino boards, though they service somewhat different markets. The Raspberry Pi enjoys a sprawling and expanding ecosystem.

author: eti
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 12:14:39 am
content: Feel free to disregard ANY comments to the tune of "get a Raspberry pi, and..." - yeah, no, don't. Whoever is offering such terrible "advice" is doing so because they're a "fan" of the Pi and therefore, when you have a hammer, EVERYTHING is a nail that needs said hammer. The Pi is useful for many things, but as a USEFUL and PRACTICAL OS for daily use, even the thought of recommending it immediately signals a red flag in my mind, saying "this person doesn't know what they're on about" - DO NOT use the Pi for that.Here's the problem with nerds & engineers - they think because THEY have the time to fanny and faff around with niche, obscure "solutions", then everyone else will find it useful too. Nope - there's BETTER ways - even, GASP, dare I say, the ever-crappy Amazon Fire TV stick is an infinitely better browsing experience than on the Pi.Occum's razor applies here - use the SIMPLEST solution, not a Pi "just because it's a pi, and we need to be seen applying them as a one-size-fits-all to every conceivable problem" No no no no NO! WRONG mindset!Use anything BUT a Pi, and you'll be calm and stress free.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 12:47:37 am
content: OP UpdateA mate heard about my problem and has dropped off an Intel PC Stick (SC1-INT 2015) which he no longer needs. It runs Windows 8.1 and I hooked it up but it asked for a password and he didn't know what it was so I now need to default the device and try again.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 03:31:58 am
content: Quote from: eti on May 25, 2020, 12:14:39 amWhy suggest something that resists being customized to work the way you want it to work (hard to root) as opposed to a well supported platform that is specifically designed to be customized? For example, installing an adblocker.That said, something like the ODROID C4 might be a better choice.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 09:03:02 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on May 25, 2020, 03:31:58 amYeah, why choosing something that's not customizable but just works as it should over something that sucks for the task but you can tinker with it? No Idea

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 09:20:43 am
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on May 20, 2020, 12:29:40 pmFalling asleep with the infinite ramblings of Dave in the background?You could use a Chromecast and use your phone as controller. You milage may vary.I bought an Intel NUC aside my cheap smart tv to play streaming video. It can also play blu-ray quality 4k HDR mkv's, which the TV cannot (not even over USB). It has IR, so you can get a remote for it. Built-in bluetooth for a keyboard with touchpad. Possibilities enough. You just have to pay €500 and accept that even the most expensive smart tv is a dumpsterfire.I'm not satisfied with the noise of the nuc though, it has a fan and playing 4k video makes it work

author: gnif
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 25, 2020, 06:30:41 am
content: RPi2 or later with LibreElec (Kodi) and the YouTube plugin works great, simple, cheap, and will handle 4K just fine.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2020, 07:54:36 am
content: Using libreelec and kodi here. +1 for that. Although I’m using a PC (fanless Lenovo M600).Mostly because my TV has broken ass HDCP so I can’t use any commercial streaming boxes.