Hey folks! I’ve been using yt-dlp to grab TikTok vids, but I noticed the quality isn’t always the best. Some websites out there can snag HD versions that yt-dlp can’t. It bugged me because I download tons of TikToks automatically.
After digging around, I found a pricey API that lets me get those sweet HD versions. It’s not cheap at $98 a month, but it works for me. Just a heads up, these HD files are huge! A short clip can be 5 times bigger than what yt-dlp grabs. I set a 30MB limit per file to keep things under control.
Weird thing is, sometimes the yt-dlp file is slightly bigger than the API version. Not sure why, but it’s only by a few hundred KB.
Anyone else run into this? What’s your solution for getting top-quality TikToks? Let me know if you’ve found any tricks!
I’ve encountered similar issues with TikTok video quality. While yt-dlp is generally reliable, it does have limitations. Have you considered using a combination of tools? I’ve had success with a workflow that involves using TikTok’s web interface to identify high-quality source URLs, then feeding those to yt-dlp. It’s more manual but often yields better results. Regarding file sizes, TikTok’s compression algorithms can be unpredictable, which might explain the occasional size discrepancies you’ve noticed. As for alternatives to expensive APIs, some users in the community have developed custom scripts that leverage TikTok’s internal APIs. These might be worth exploring if you’re comfortable with a bit of coding.
yo, i feel ya on the quality struggle! i’ve been messin with tiktok downloads too. that api sounds crazy expensive tho, not sure i could swing that. have u tried tweaking yt-dlp settings? sometimes playin with formats and stuff can help. maybe there’s a cheaper api out there? anyways, good luck with ur tiktok adventures!
I’ve been down this TikTok quality rabbit hole too, and it’s a real pain. That API solution sounds interesting, but ouch, that price tag! Have you looked into using FFmpeg in conjunction with yt-dlp? I’ve had some success boosting quality by post-processing the downloads.
One trick I stumbled upon is using the TikTok desktop app instead of the website. Sometimes it serves up higher quality videos that yt-dlp can grab. It’s hit or miss, but worth a shot.
As for those file size discrepancies, I’ve noticed that too. My theory is it’s related to how TikTok encodes different types of content - like videos with lots of motion versus static shots.
Keep us posted if you find any other workarounds. The quest for perfect TikTok quality is real!