Building OpenWatch: an open-source alternative to YouTube (github.com)
from ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club to selfhosted@lemmy.world on 06 Feb 16:43
https://thelemmy.club/post/43839383

I’m building OpenWatch, an open-source self-hosted video platform as an alternative to YouTube. It’s designed for content creators who want to back up their content on their own infrastructure (in case of strikes) or for anyone who wants a personal video hosting solution.

The project is in early stages, but I’ve built out some core features:

Tech stack: 

GitHub: github.com/openwatch-app/openwatch

Feedback would be helpful, especially around self-hosting considerations and features you’d find useful.

#selfhosted

threaded - newest

PM_ME_VINTAGE_30S@lemmy.sdf.org on 06 Feb 16:54 next collapse

So what is the difference between this and PeerTube?

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:00 collapse

Hey, thanks for the question. I want to build an experience much more similar to YouTube, with a more similar design and flow.

PM_ME_VINTAGE_30S@lemmy.sdf.org on 06 Feb 17:06 next collapse

Do you think you could work towards ActivityPub integration so it would be able to talk to PeerTube instances? IMO diversity is strength but cooperation is a factor in success. Hope this project goes well and is fun 😁

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:10 collapse

Do you think you could work towards ActivityPub integration so it would be able to talk to PeerTube instances? IMO diversity is strength but cooperation is a factor in success. Hope this project goes well and is fun 😁

Sure, I’ll add that to the list. Thanks for the feedback :)

mesamunefire@piefed.social on 06 Feb 18:53 collapse

It would be a killer feature for us in the fedi. :)

Peertube is awesome, but more alternatives in the space would be welcome.

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 19:12 collapse

Thanks for the feedback :)

jlow@discuss.tchncs.de on 06 Feb 21:29 collapse

How is the design and flow of Peertube different from YT, can you give e few examples? For me they are super similar (there’s a video feed, I click on one, I get a page with videos that has comments and related videos).

SinningStromgald@lemmy.world on 06 Feb 16:57 next collapse

Okay, why this over peertube?

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:12 collapse

Okay, why this over peertube?

I’d say because it feels more like YouTube. But everyone uses what they like :)

squirrel@piefed.kobel.fyi on 06 Feb 17:01 next collapse

put ActivityPub in it :)

But seriously, a PeerTube compatible software with a different approach than PeerTube could be good for the federated video ecosystem.

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:04 next collapse

Thanks for the feedback :)

hornedfiend@piefed.social on 06 Feb 20:09 collapse

For sure, an ActivityPub video platform that is not TikTok like (i.e Loops) would be amazing.

Ash@piefed.social on 06 Feb 17:05 next collapse

Very cool.

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:07 collapse

Thanks :)

bisserkr@lemmy.world on 06 Feb 17:32 next collapse

That repo looks like someone vibe coded a YouTube clone

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:42 collapse

I use AI but not entirely. Thanks for the feedback though, I’ll try to improve

Catoblepas@piefed.blahaj.zone on 06 Feb 17:44 collapse

Thank you for the warning.

ge0rg3e@thelemmy.club on 06 Feb 17:46 collapse

You’re welcome :)

ozoned@piefed.social on 06 Feb 19:34 next collapse

Absolute best of luck to you! :) We need more diversity in software!

I hope AcitivityPub or some federation mechanism is being supported. :)

If you ever want to come on a podcast, Fireside Fedi, let me know. :)

Also if/when you’re ever needing someone to test the software I’m starting another show called Works On My Machine Live where I install the software and talk to the dev during it.

msokiovt@feddit.online on 06 Feb 19:47 next collapse

I wonder if you have plans to implement YouTube mirroring like with Odysee. I’m sure my producer, Neigsendoig, would love that.

This is being done on a service using the Nostr protocol from what I’ve heard.

mike_wooskey@lemmy.thewooskeys.com on 06 Feb 20:09 next collapse

I agree that more options is a good thing, and that activitypub would be a plus. But FYI, I wont be using it because of the license. I use only FOSS whenevr possible.

fum@lemmy.world on 06 Feb 21:24 next collapse

Why would anyone use this non FOSS vibe coded thing instead of PeerTube? Copying YouTube’s UX is not a good enough reason when better FOSS alternatives already exist.

thoralf@discuss.familie-will.at on 06 Feb 22:14 collapse

An alternative approach to PeerTube would be very welcome. ActivityPub-integration is a must for me, though.