tube

tube is a lightweight YouTube-like video sharing server focused on simple self-hosting and minimal dependencies. It serves videos from one or more folders, supports uploads, and can automatically transcode content for broad browser compatibility.

Key Features

• File-based video library (no database); metadata can be read from media files and optional sidecar files
• Built-in uploader with optional password protection for uploads
• Automatic transcoding using FFmpeg to MP4 (H.264 video / AAC audio), with optional additional lower-quality renditions
• Automatic thumbnail generation
• Multiple library locations/collections with configurable URL prefixes
• RSS feed generation for the video library
• Minimal frontend with no required JavaScript for playback; customizable HTML templates and CSS

Use Cases

• Personal or small-community video hosting without relying on third-party platforms
• Publishing videos with an RSS feed for subscribers
• Hosting a simple “drop files in a folder” media library with optional uploads and automatic transcoding

Limitations and Considerations

• Transcoding relies on FFmpeg and can be CPU-intensive; large uploads require appropriate timeout and size limits
• Output is primarily targeted at MP4 H.264/AAC; alternative codecs may require customization or contributions

tube is well-suited for users who want a straightforward video sharing experience with automatic processing and a simple operational model. Its file-based approach keeps deployment and maintenance lightweight while still providing core features expected from a basic video platform.