yt-dlp4vlc/README.md

VLC yt-dlp Lua Wrapper

A simple Lua script that integrates yt-dlp into VLC, allowing you to stream supported online videos by opening a network URL in VLC.

Features

• Wraps yt-dlp.exe for use inside VLC
• By default requires yt-dlp.exe to be in the VLC directory
  (the path can be changed directly in the script)
• Hides the command prompt window while yt-dlp processes the URL:
  • Uses a PowerShell command by default
  • Automatically uses yt-dlp-silent.exe if found (a small C++ wrapper that suppresses the console without PowerShell)

Requirements

• Windows
• VLC Media Player
• yt-dlp.exe or yt-dlp-silent.exe

Installation

1. Copy the Lua script into VLC’s Lua playlist directory:

VLC\lua\playlist\

2. Place yt-dlp.exe (or yt-dlp-silent.exe) in the VLC directory
   or edit the script to point to its location.
3. Restart VLC.

Usage

1. Open VLC.
2. Go to Media → Open Network Stream.
3. Paste a supported video URL and click Play.

VLC will call yt-dlp, resolve the stream, and start playback automatically.

Video Quality Selection

Append the quality parameter to the URL to force a specific resolution:

&quality=xxx

Supported values:

• 360p
• 480p
• 720p
• 1080p
• 2160p

If omitted, the script defaults to the highest available quality.