🧑🍳
Once I have more of these basic features and nostr integrations in and can package up a deb, exe and dmg I'll publish the repo as a beta.
I have a basic node js #WebTorrent seed server with #nostr login working reliably. 👍
I can run headless and access from the browser.
I can add videos from magnet links or from file.
Server runs in background.
Saves added torrents to DB.
Only displays data when logged into a nostr account.
Can seed video, download stored files from browser, copy magnet, pause seeding and remove/delete torrent (and file).
Has paginated list.
And UI storage location selector.
Next I need to add a special "seed video" button to videos on bitvid client and the option to auto seed videos found on your seed list as well as blanket seed settings like:
- automatically seed any video I publish
- automatically seed any videos npubs from this list publish
- seed with time limits (seed this video for 1 day, week, month etc.)
And many more ideas.
I considered it but it didn't support the fields I needed like magnet links, and eventually audio and podcast info like track number etc. So creating my own spec seemd like the best option. Plus I really wanted bitvid to only support magnet link and webtorrent webRTC media content.
There are and will be tons of nostr video clients that point to a http link somewhere and nip-71 is perfect for that purpose, but I felt like webRTC required a special place due to the necessity of seeding.
And the same applies to the torrent nip. I can remember the number. But it had similar issues just on the bittorrent side rather than Webtorrent, which is what I am using.
Im working on a decentralized, nostr based video platform. At the moment the videos must be hosted by a desktop app called "WebTorrent Desktop" then the magnet link can be posted to nostr along with a title, description and thumbnail image.
Its still in early development and missing many features.
But viewers and audiences can also help support the video hosting.
Doing some testing with a custom build of a webtorrent CLI seed server. So videos that I have posted may be unresponsive off and on this week.
Subscriptions are live at beta.bitvit.network 💪
Will be looking for bugs in the system this week.
I also need to add support for #amber or direct nsec login to make mobile login easier.
Thanks for taking a look at #bitvid!
I have spent the past few months building this project and I know it's still kind of an experiment to see if it can scale. But I think it can scale with the right community expectations/culture and tools.
At the moment the WedTorrent Desktop app is the best option. I'll create a tutorial walking through the process soon.
I am working on a docker based alternative that can run on a Synology NAS or even a Raspberry Pi with a hard drive attached built with bitvid and nostr in mind. I dont know how long it will take to get that ready.
There are limitations with the number of videos that can be seeded from a single computer so I'm working on different ways to scale that up for the average user.
I will soon roll out the private channel subscriptions on beta.bitvid.network .
Now you can:
- View a channels profile page along with all the content they have posted.
- Subscribe to a channel directly from its profile page.
- Maintain a #private subscription list (kind=30002 event) that’s encrypted using NIP-04, so nobody but you knows which channels you follow.
- Catch up on the latest videos from your subscribed creators in the “Subscriptions” view, pulled from all the channels you’ve added.
Eventually I'll add a list of the channels you are subscribed to in the sidebar for easier navigation.
This subscription approach keeps your follow activity off any public follow lists. Only you have the key to decrypt your subscription data, so it stays hidden from prying eyes. If you’re already logged in, check out #view=subscriptions to see which channels you’re following or to discover more content once you’ve subscribed.
Will roll out to the beta domain first then if all goes well I'll push to main.
Right now it requires a #nip-07 extention. If you have any questions about setting it up or want to suggest improvements, just let me know.
Seed. (Done) Zap. (Coming Soon) Subscribe. (Done) 🎉
#bitvid
🤔
If there is #bitvid video content that you want to watch but is loading too slowly, then that means you should help by seeding that video. 💪
#bethenetwork
A truly decentralized video and audio platform demands a Seeding Culture, a commitment from both creators and viewers to sustain the content they value.
Decentralization isn’t magic. It’s not a button you press. It’s a responsibility you live out.
- If you want content to last, you must seed it, either by supporting a service provider with zaps or running the torrents yourself.
- If you believe in independent media, you must be part of the network that keeps it alive.
- If you believe that advertising models distort incentives, and cause self censorship, then you must look for alternative models.
- If you care about censorship resistance, you must take ownership of distribution instead of relying on centralized platforms.
The simple truth is, with bitvid, as long as someone is willing to seed, the content never dies.
This isn’t just file-sharing. It’s a statement of value. It makes the content you love yours in a way no centralized service ever could.
#bitvid is built on this principle. No gatekeepers. No servers to take down. No platform risk. Just people choosing to support what matters to them. This is the vision.
Help me make it a reality.
Seed. Zap.(coming soon) Subscribe.(coming soon)
Be the network.
In part yes. You can seed, on servers or desktop computers you control, any content posted to #bitvid. Simply open a video and copy the #magnet link. You can then paste this link right into #WebTorrent desktop app to support the distribution of that content.
I hope to enable seeding content by public key so you can support creators automatically by seeding anything they post.
At the moment, building a reliable and functional client is my first priority.
The sidebar on mobile is still a bit wonky.
I plan to fix that this weekend. Once the beta mobile sidebar is solid and I do more in-depth testing on everything I'll push this version to main.
Next up: Profiles and Subscriptions! 😎
Made some serious performance improvements last night.
Check out the new whitelist application form on the beta site.