Fully loaded php modules (imagick, pdflib, ffmpeg, and more) you may have from Simplehelix.com on their shared package plans.

I think you need to go downtownhost.com and buy some of their dedicated servers, because they are supplied with all software you nedd to run youtube-like site. Ffmpeg coders and players, ogg/vorbis, streaming and all tghis for affordable money... I suppose this would become nice solution.

OMG. If someone is unable to install ffmpeg and ffserver on clean system I guess it is too early for him to develop a youtube clone.

I've been around with the Clip-Share script since version 1.6 (several years ago) AND I even ran a hosting company exclusive to video-sharing scripts and I can tell you right away that if you are serious about setting up a real video sharing site and you have a good idea, then you will be wasting your time with shared and even VPS hosting!

I would call the minimum requirements for any of those scripts to be a single quad-core or a dual-proc dual core system with 4GB of RAM and 2x500GB HDDs. Bandwidth is not critical at first but you want it to be expandable and start with at least 2000GB @ 100mbit (and buy QUALITY bandwidth, not 3rd-rate or you may as well run a shared server...).

The problem with shared, even with a company designed specifically for video-sharing sites, is that there is a very hard roof which will limit your growth, and it is very easy to hit it overnight. I had several instances when I was hosting other people that I offered them 500GB/month bandwidth, which seemed like a LOT (they were using ~50GB/month) but as soon as they suddenly hit it big (front page of Digg) they blew through almost a 1000gb WITHIN SIX HOURS before cPanel did a bandwidth check and suspended the account.

So let me re-state this again- if you want a FAST real you-tube clone website, IT MUST RUN ON A DEDICATED SERVER and I highly suggest you already have a rock-solid niche to work with (or an adult site, those ALWAYS work :P).

Some scripts to look at:
www.phpmotion.com
www.clip-share.com
www.sharemixer.com (has h264 HD codec built-in quality!, check the demo!)

If you have more questions about dedi servers, send me a PM and we can go from there-

Why would you buy a dedicated server when no one will be using your site? You need popularity to use up resources. You need time to gain popularity. For those few months that you're out there building a large community, your dedicated server may be sitting there collecting dust and driving a hole into your pocket.

A simple shared hosting plan can cover the cost, and the resources, for that short period of time that you're out getting visitors, AND are low on traffic.

I believe if he is talking he needs something like Youtube web site OI think that he means that he needs the same technology as well as the same size. So dedicated server is the best for this situation as for me. And something like exmasters.com or serverbeach.com as powerdul provider will be the great conbination.
Anyway you first of all need to understand what you need and maybe refresh your request ...

OMG. *Very good* dedicated server costs 200 USD. Project like youtube SHOULD bring at least ten times more. If you are unable to reach this amount in a reasonable time or if you are unable to invest a little more on the start you better not to start that project at all.