Can't import age-restricted Youtube video

When I try to import this video:

I get this error message:

Importing failed - ERROR: ikCc5exP5u4: YouTube said: Unable to extract video data

1 Like

Yes, after signing in my Google account and trying to import this video into LingQ
I get such an error, too.
I know such error messages from command line tools like “Youtube-DL”.
But, it’s possible to download this video by means of an online downloader,
for example: https://en.savefrom.net (I tried it a few minutes ago).

Anyway, I read somewhere that YT was updated. Therefore, tools like “Youtube-DL” had to be updated, too.
So, this is probably an issue with the tool LingQ uses for importing / downloading YT videos.
Update: I’ve been trying to import this video for a second time. Now it works for the subtitles of the video, but not for the video / audio itself.

Thanks for reporting it, I’ll let our team know.

I was actually able to import that video without any problem now, through Chrome extension. Can you try again on your end?

Hi, Zoran!
Yes, in my case it works. Thanks! :slight_smile:

I get the same error. I’m using the Firefox extension on Linux.

Can you give it another try now and let me know if you are able to import it?

Hi, Zoran!

At least on my Linux Mint operating system (vers. 19.1)
the LingQ browser extension works like a charm -
both for Chromium (vers. 84.0) and for Firefox (vers. 79.0)!
That is:

  • The subtitles are displayed
  • The video (with audio) works
  • Audio only works, too .

Excellent job!

Have a great weekend
Peter

I was not able to import it with Firefox (v. 79.0), but I succeded with Chromium. My operating system is Void Linux.

Hi, solidgitarius!

It’s probably “not” an issue of the operating system, but an issue located on a higher, i.e. browser / browser add-on level.

  • Have you tried the LingQ extension for Firefox with another (older) YT video?
  • You could also try it without the add-on by using “Importar LecciĂłn” (or something similar) from within LingQ. Have you tried that?
    If all this fails, using Chromium for imports is always an option. If you use Chromium with add-ons like ScriptSafe, uBlockOrigin, etc., you even have a lot of control over your surfing experience.

Have a nice weekend
Peter

I tried with other age-restricted videos, but the same problem exists. Fortunately, age-restricted videos suitable for language learning are very rare.
Of course, manually importing a lesson is always a choice.
So it’s not much of a problem. Firefox is my browser of choice. I’m not interested in Chromium. I try to avoid Google related products as much as possible.

I try to avoid Google related products as much as possible.
Yes, I agree. Google is a “Datenkrake” (German for “data octopus”) :slight_smile:
But, Chromium is open-source software. So, if you aren’t signed in to a Google account (while surfing), if you use script and tracker blockers, if you don’t use Google products such as the search engine, Google docs, etc, your Google footprint is minimal.

Be that as it may, I don’t want to persuade you to use the Chromium browser. If Firefox is your favorite browser, I have no problem with that.
But, Firefox won’t protect you from Google when you sign in to your Google account to be able to watch age-restricted videos on YT :slight_smile:

Personally, I like and use both Firefox and Chromium because they are great open-source browsers.

Reg. the extract video data - error:
After Zoran / the developers fixed the LingQ extension for Firefox I don’t get any errors for importing age-restricted YT videos into LingQ any more.
Perhaps the LingQ developers can reproduce your error on their machines…

Have a nice Sunday
Peter

Now, it works for some reason. I deleted a couple of extensions. Maybe that was it.

Hi, soligitarius!

Sounds, great!
Yes, sometimes there are “interferences” from other browser extensions.
So, all’s well that ends well :slight_smile:

Have a great day
Peter

same