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Local Encoder
Local Encoder is a desktop application that downloads or reads a video, converts it on your computer, creates preview images, and uploads the finished files to your AVideo site. It is available for Windows, macOS and Linux, with a browser interface in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
Local Encoder complements the Web Encoder. Your AVideo site still needs a working Web Encoder configured. We recommend Local Encoder as an additional option for everyday video uploads and single-video URL imports, where it can offer faster encoding and more reliable downloads. The Web Encoder is the public or self-hosted AVideo Encoder opened by Encode video and audio; it also provides media services used by AVideo and its plugins.
- Encoding can be faster. It uses your computer's processor and, when supported, its graphics card (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD or Apple). You also avoid waiting in a shared Encoder server's queue. Actual speed depends on your hardware, the video and the output qualities.
- Less work for the server. Conversion happens on your computer; the finished videos and preview images are then uploaded to AVideo. Your site still needs storage and bandwidth for those files.
- A useful alternative for YouTube downloads. The download uses your own internet connection instead of the Encoder server's IP address. This can improve reliability when YouTube rejects requests from a hosting server. The ready-to-use program includes yt-dlp, FFmpeg and Deno, the tools used to download and process videos.
- Simple daily use. Add a video link, select files, drag and drop several videos, or choose videos from a folder on your computer. Follow download, conversion and upload progress on the page. If sending fails, Try again can reuse the work already done.
YouTube and other sites change frequently. Download a new Local Encoder release when an update is offered; the project publishes releases when its yt-dlp dependency is updated. Your installed copy still needs to be updated. Downloads remain subject to the source site's availability and restrictions: private, removed or region-blocked videos may still fail. Only import media you are allowed to publish. See also the yt-dlp FAQ.
Keep Site Configurations → Advanced Configuration → Encoder URL pointing to a working Web Encoder, even when you prepare your uploads with Local Encoder. AVideo still calls that server for the following features, according to the plugins and workflows enabled on your site:
| AVideo feature | What still uses the Web Encoder |
|---|---|
| Live and LiveLinks preview images | Capture frames and animated previews from live streams. |
| MP4ThumbsAndGif | Generate or choose JPG/GIF/WebP images for existing videos and direct uploads, and create audio waveform images. |
| VideoThumbnails | Build the image sheet used for previews when viewers move over the player's progress bar. Local Encoder's poster and animated previews do not replace this image sheet. |
| Recorded live streams and DVR clips | Send recordings and saved moments to the server's encoding queue. |
| Meet, Zoom cloud recordings and mobile uploads | Send recordings or uploaded media to the Web Encoder through AVideo's server-side upload and queue flow. |
| Playlists played live and the TV guide | Start the playlist-to-live process and retrieve its program guide (EPG). Ordinary playlist playback is a separate feature. |
| Adding an external video with Embed a video link | Retrieve the title, duration, description and thumbnail for supported external page links. |
Local Encoder sends the videos you add to its own queue. It does not provide these server endpoints or take over AVideo's requests to them. Using it for uploads does not make the Web Encoder optional.
| Your task | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Convert video files from your computer and publish them on AVideo | Try Local Encoder, especially if your computer has a supported graphics card or the Web Encoder queue is busy. |
| Import one YouTube or other supported video link | Try Local Encoder, especially when downloads fail on the Web Encoder server. |
| Process videos while your computer is switched off | Use the Web Encoder; it runs on the server. |
| Handle jobs sent automatically by AVideo or its plugins | Keep the Web Encoder configured. Local Encoder does not receive the server's Encoder queue jobs. |
| Use audio-only input, WebM output or other features not yet supported locally | Use the Web Encoder and check the project's feature status before switching that workflow. |
| Import a whole YouTube playlist or channel | Follow Playlist and channel imports. Local Encoder currently accepts individual video links, not playlist or channel imports. |
Local Encoder prepares MP4 or HLS video according to what the AVideo site accepts; HLS playback needs the VideoHLS plugin. It does not yet cover every Web Encoder feature.
On updated AVideo sites, the upload menu and upload form link to a download guide hosted on your own site at plugin/CustomizeAdvanced/localEncoder.php. It offers direct downloads for Windows, macOS and Linux. An updated Web Encoder also recommends this guide when an individual video-link import fails, either during the initial lookup or later in the download queue.
To hide the promotion, open Admin Panel → Plugins → CustomizeAdvanced → Edit parameters, turn off Show Local Encoder (showLocalEncoder, enabled by default) and save. Reload the upload or Web Encoder page after changing it. The download guide, menu links and import-failure recommendations are hidden when the option is off. This setting does not disable the Web Encoder or change upload permissions. Update both AVideo and the Web Encoder for the full integration; older sites without this option do not show the Encoder recommendation.
- Open the Local Encoder project and follow Download for your computer, or choose the package for your computer in the latest release. Use the ready-to-use program, rather than GitHub's Code or Source code downloads. Python and a separate FFmpeg installation are not needed for these packages.
- Extract the whole package and open LocalEncoder (LocalEncoder.exe on Windows). Keep the extracted files together. The program opens its control page in your browser.
- Enter your AVideo site address, username and password, then click Connect. Use an account with upload permission. Your computer must be able to reach the site.
- Add a single video link or choose Files or Folder. Optionally set a title, description and category. Leave advanced options at their defaults to let the program choose compatible formats and qualities.
- Click Add to queue and keep the computer and Local Encoder running until the queue finishes. You can close and reopen the browser page while the program keeps working; quitting the program stops processing.
- Open My videos on your AVideo site and check playback, preview images and qualities.
Keep your site's Encoder URL pointing to a working Web Encoder. Do not replace it with the Local Encoder page address or remove the Web Encoder when you start using Local Encoder. The local browser page controls the program on your computer; it does not provide the Web Encoder services listed above.
For updates, finish current jobs, quit the old program, extract the new download and open the new copy. See the project's installation and update instructions.
