"I FAILED C++ in College" | Building A Custom OBS YouTube Player Plugin | Part 1
In this hands-on tutorial I start turning an existing Python OBS plugin into a native C++ OBS plugin using SeaLion and CMake. If you've ever hit YouTube embed issues in OBS (CORS / error 1503) and relied on Python hacks, this video shows the plan, the code analysis, and the first C++ project setup so you can follow along.
In this video, you will learn:
How to open and configure SeaLion (imports settings from WebStorm) and create a C++ CMake project
The architecture of the existing Python plugin: local HTTP server, youtube-nocookie embeds, cache-busting technique, and OBS browser-source refresh
How the plugin safely passes video IDs between threads using a thread-safe queue
A proposed roadmap for rewriting the logic in native C++, adding automatic YouTube ID parsing, and packaging for Mac (then Windows)
Key takeaways:
Why "Rewriting the script in C++ which is what we want. That's why we're using SeaLion." is practical for native performance and distribution
Real-world parsing: the Python version required manual video IDs; we'll plan to add automatic URL -ID extraction
Tooling caveats: I tried AI tools (Kilo Code, Gemini CLI) but ran into auth and permissions issues — this video focuses on robust manual steps instead
Who is this for / Prerequisites:
Ideal for OBS plugin authors, intermediate coders, and curious streamers
Basic comfort with Python and command-line tools helps; C++ experience is NOT required (I admit: "How comfortable are your C++? Not at all.") — this is a beginner-friendly primer
Roadmap covered in the video:
1) Analyze the Python script in detail
2) Research OBS plugin API and file structure
3) Create a minimal C++ plugin skeleton in SeaLion/CMake
4) Implement video ID parsing and cache-busting embed server
5) Test on Mac and plan Windows packaging
Follow along, ask questions in the comments, and subscribe for updates as I implement each step.
OBS Cplusplus SeaLion YouTubeEmbed PluginDev Tutorial PythonToCPP OBSPlugin CMake MacDev YoutubeNocookie CacheBusting BrowserSource BeginnerCoding CodingTutorial
#OBSplugin #OBSCplugin #convertpythontoc #SeaLionIDE #CMakeOBSplugin #YouTubeembedfix #YouTubeerror1503 #youtubenocookie #cachebusting #browsersourcerefresh #OBSplugindevelopment #automaticYouTubeIDparsing
Timestamps
0:00 - Opening SeaLion for the first time
4:01 - Creating new Cine project "OBS YT"
7:58 - Setting up Kilo Code and Gemini API auth
11:59 - Locating Python YouTube plugin file
15:59 - Passing Python script for C++ conversion
19:58 - Discussing OBS C++ plug-in development needs
23:55 - Planning Windows build and platform targets
27:52 - Building, debugging, and final test run
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⚠️ Disclaimer:
The software and techniques demonstrated in this video are for educational purposes. Always test code in a safe environment before deploying to production.