How to Prevent webm downloading

[MrPaulAR]

I've tried using --prefer-free-formats and that doesn't work, at least not how I expect. From what I can tell after messing with it & googling the mp4 is only used IF there is a resolution tie and bitrate tie. I would like to never download a webm.

I've been doing this manually in the past with -f VIDEO+AUDIO (not using the numbers here as they vary) but would like something a bit more permanent.

Any suggestions?

[barsnick]

Using --prefer-free-formats will not prevent webm, it will prefer webm over mp4.

Assuming these formats are offered (they are with YouTube), you would use this option to ensure mp4:
-f "bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]"

[dstftw]

Use -f 'bestvideo[ext!=webm]+bestaudio[ext!=webm]/best[ext!=webm]'.

[jjgh]

Hi @dstftw, just to make sure I understand your example, will using -f bestaudio[ext!=webm] alone download the second best audio, if best audio is webm?

[dstftw]

Depends on what is the second best audio.