Show YouTube video source into HTML5 video tag?

Considerations for alternate methods

Explore other approaches, weighing their pros and cons. While the iframe method stands supreme, there're still a few trails you might be tempted to venture.

Download services and legality

Services like youtubeinmp4.com permit you to download YouTube videos in .mp4 format. On the flip side, these are riddled with legal, ethical questions and aren't a stable option, given their fluid existence.

Libraries for seamless API use

Third-party JavaScript libraries such as YouTube-to-HTML5-loader help stream YouTube videos without breaking a sweat. However, staying abreast with updates and changes in YouTube's system are now your headache.

Perils of direct embedding

Attempting to use a YouTube video URL as the src attribute of a <video> tag has its share of demons:

• Quality control: This method is not discerning enough to let you choose the video quality.
• Server dependency: The solution's success is tied to the external server's availability.
• Legal concerns: Downloading content might prove a thorn in the side with YouTube's terms of service.

Legalities and usage rights

Always tread on the side of caution when considering how to embed videos into your website. Ensure YouTube's terms of service are upheld throughout. The iframe method makes sure of this adherence.

Browser compatibility

As web developers, we are comfortable with the fact that not all browsers extend the same level of generosity towards all tags and functionalities. Always verify browser compatibility for the <video> tag. The iframe solution enjoys broad cross-browser compatibility.

YouTube's dynamic links

YouTube URL encompasses an 'expire' parameter, signifying the URL’s lifespan. It just doesn’t have the staying power we usually attribute to URLs. Therefore, using YouTube's API is a more consistent method.

Practical demonstrations

Embedding via YouTube's iframe

This is how you apply the YouTube-provided iframe for embedding:

<iframe 
  width="560" 
  height="315" 
  src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIDEO_ID"
  frameborder="0" 
  allowfullscreen>
</iframe>
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Perform a simple swap operation - VIDEO_ID with the actual ID of your YouTube video.

Library usage

A more sophisticated demonstration using YouTube-to-HTML5-loader could be:

import YTLoader from 'youtube-to-html5-loader'; // import the wizkid

// initialize and assign to 'loader'. Remember, YT stands for YouTube, not Yogurt Twists ;)
const loader = new YTLoader({
  api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY'
});

// set 'em videos to load, folks!
loader.load('VIDEO_ID');
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Remember to replace 'YOUR_API_KEY' and 'VIDEO_ID' with the actual YouTube API key and your video's ID.