@TerryHancock

I just tried it on my own instance, it does download as audio in the original audio format.

Maybe the transcoding is just for internal purposes and it uses the original file for downloads.

@fellmoon

It will be transcoded for streaming, so you can upload a FLAC file but the streaming format won't be FLAC.

PeerTube has been in existence since 2017, it's backed by @Framasoft who are one of the biggest supporters of FOSS and the Fediverse.

The idea is to create a place to host video (or audio) where people aren't spied on or exploited by algorithms.

@abcxyz @Framasoft

Server costs are higher for video, but it's called PeerTube because it uses peer-to-peer technology so that when people watch a video they also send bits of the video to each other. This significantly reduces the amount of bandwidth the video host needs, which makes it better suited to indie servers with lower budgets.

I don't think it's aiming to be like Telegram or any messaging service. It's mainly meant as an alternative to YouTube.

But, yeah, you're right about limitless not being possible! It's kind of difficult to compete with giant corporations on unlimited storage space.

Think for the moment PeerTube is aiming for small independent niches rather than a limitless service. For example https://video.blender.org or https://greatview.video. The niches can federate together though, so you can browse and search many niches on one server.

PeerTube is a video hosting platform, for watching pre-recorded videos. Try looking at https://tilvids.com for example. (It also has streaming but the main focus is on pre-recorded stuff.)

OwnCast is a video streaming and chat platform, like Twitch. Try watching https://live.retrostrange.com/ for example.

Invidious is a way of watching YouTube without Google seeing your personal info.