Progressive Download And Not Expected Streaming [Windows]

[tt-j2]

bug description

Hello,

It's my first use of cobalt web and I have downloaded some videos to test. Take this as example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z19HM7ANZlo

I noted it progressively downloads the video, I don't know if this is the correct way:

1.Downloading.from.cobalt.mp4

With others tools we can see the final file size:

1.Downloading.from.other.tools.mp4

After downloading with cobalt and opening with Movies & TV the video cannot be fast-forwarded or changed its current time:

2.Fast-forwarded.video.from.cobalt.mp4

With other tool there are no problems:

2.Fast-forwarded.video.from.other.tools.mp4

If I open the cobalt video with VLC, we can note some pixelating and freezing frames in a short period of time when changed the current time:

3.Fast-forwarded.video.in.VLC.from.cobalt.mp4

Is this the normal behaviour of the downloaded file? What am I missing?

reproduction steps

1. Go to cobalt.tools
2. Paste any youtube link
3. Default settings (also tried with youtube hls mode on and same problem)
4. The download process is progressive instead of showing entire file size
   • Open the downloaded video with Movies & TV
     • Fast-forward the video is not working
   • Open the downloaded video with VLC
     • Fast-forward causes some pixelating and freezing frames in a short period of time after the current time is changed

screenshots

No response

links

No response

platform information

Windows, Google Chrome Version 131.0.6778.109 (Official build) (64 bits)

additional context

No response

[wukko]

progressive downloading is normal and is caused by how cobalt works, you can read more about it either in the about tab in cobalt or the readme on github.

remuxing should fix unknown length in old players (movies & tv) and pixelization when rapidly jumping between parts of the video: https://cobalt.tools/remux