How to Use VLC to Download YouTube Videos
YouTube is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in the world, with billions of users watching and uploading videos every day. However, sometimes you may want to download YouTube videos to your computer or mobile device for offline viewing, editing, or sharing. How can you do that?
There are many tools and websites that can help you download YouTube videos, but some of them may be unsafe, unreliable, or limited in features. In this article, we will show you how to use VLC, a free and open-source media player, to download YouTube videos easily and quickly. VLC is not only a powerful video player that can play almost any format, but also a hidden video downloader that can stream and save online videos.
use vlc to download youtube videos
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Introduction
What is VLC?
VLC is a versatile media player that can play various audio and video files, DVDs, CDs, and streaming protocols. It is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and other platforms. It has many features and options that allow you to customize your playback experience, such as subtitles, filters, equalizer, playlists, etc. It also supports multiple languages and has a simple and user-friendly interface.
Why use VLC to download YouTube videos?
VLC is not only a media player, but also a media converter and streamer. It can convert media files from one format to another, and stream online videos from different sources. One of these sources is YouTube. By using VLC, you can download YouTube videos without installing any additional software or plugins. You can also choose the quality and format of the downloaded videos according to your preference.
Method 1: Download YouTube videos with VLC via Open Network Stream
This method involves using the Open Network Stream feature of VLC to play the YouTube video in VLC, and then copying the download link from the Codec Information window. Here are the steps:
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Step 1: Copy the YouTube video URL
Go to YouTube and find the video you want to download. Right-click on the video and select "Copy video URL". You can also copy the URL from the address bar of your browser.
Step 2: Open VLC and select Open Network Stream
Launch VLC on your computer. Click on "Media" from the top menu bar, and then select "Open Network Stream". Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + N on your keyboard.
Step 3: Paste the YouTube video URL and click Play
In the Open Media window, paste the YouTube video URL into the blank box under the "Network" tab. Then click on "Play" at the bottom.
Step 4: View the Codec Information and copy the Location field
When the video starts playing in VLC, click on "Tools" from the top menu bar, and then select "Codec Information". Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + J on your keyboard.
In the Codec Information window, scroll down to the bottom and find the "Location" field. This is the download link of the YouTube video. Right-click on it and select "Copy".
Step 5: Open a new browser tab and paste the Location field
Open a new tab in your browser and paste the download link into the address bar. Press Enter to load the video.
Step 6: Right-click the video and select Save video as
When the video is loaded, right-click on it and select "Save video as". Choose a name and a location for the downloaded video, and click on "Save". The download will start and you can check the progress in your browser.
Method 2: Download YouTube videos with VLC via Stream Output
This method involves using the Stream Output feature of VLC to save the YouTube video as a file on your computer. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Copy the YouTube video URL
Go to YouTube and find the video you want to download. Right-click on the video and select "Copy video URL". You can also copy the URL from the address bar of your browser.
Step 2: Open VLC and select Stream
Launch VLC on your computer. Click on "Media" from the top menu bar, and then select "Stream". Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + S on your keyboard.
Step 3: Paste the YouTube video URL and click Next
In the Open Media window, paste the YouTube video URL into the blank box under the "Network" tab. Then click on "Next" at the bottom.
Step 4: Add a file destination and select a profile
In the Stream Output window, check the box next to "File" under "New destination". Then click on "Add" to choose a file destination for the downloaded video. You can also change the file name and extension if you want.
Next, select a profile for the output file from the drop-down menu. You can choose from different formats and qualities, such as MP4, WebM, OGG, etc. You can also customize the profile by clicking on the wrench icon next to it.
Step 5: Click Stream and wait for the download to finish
Click on "Stream" at the bottom of the window to start the download process. You will see a progress bar in VLC showing how much of the video has been downloaded. Wait until it reaches 100% and then close VLC.
You can find the downloaded video in the file destination you specified earlier. You can play it with VLC or any other media player.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have shown you how to use VLC to download YouTube videos in two different ways. The first method is to use the Open Network Stream feature of VLC to play the YouTube video in VLC, and then copy the download link from the Codec Information window. The second method is to use the Stream Output feature of VLC to save the YouTube video as a file on your computer. Both methods are easy and quick, and do not require any additional software or plugins.
Advantages and disadvantages of using VLC to download YouTube videos
Using VLC to download YouTube videos has some advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of them:
Advantages
Disadvantages
VLC is free and open-source, and does not contain any ads or malware.
VLC may not be able to download some YouTube videos due to DRM or other restrictions.
VLC can play and convert almost any video format, and allows you to choose the quality and format of the downloaded videos.
VLC may not be able to download the subtitles or audio tracks of some YouTube videos.
VLC is available for multiple platforms, and has a simple and user-friendly interface.
VLC may not be able to download YouTube videos in bulk or in the background.
Alternative ways to download YouTube videos
If you are looking for other ways to download YouTube videos, you can try some of these alternatives:
Use a dedicated YouTube video downloader software or website, such as 4K Video Downloader, Y2Mate, SaveFrom.net, etc. These tools can offer more features and options than VLC, but they may also come with ads, malware, or limitations.
Use a browser extension or add-on that can download YouTube videos, such as Video DownloadHelper, YouTube Video Downloader, Easy YouTube Video Downloader Express, etc. These extensions can integrate with your browser and make the download process easier, but they may also slow down your browser or violate your privacy.
Use a screen recorder software or app that can capture the YouTube video playing on your screen, such as OBS Studio, Camtasia, Screen Recorder, etc. These tools can record any video or audio on your screen, but they may also consume more resources or affect the quality of the recorded video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use VLC to download YouTube videos on my mobile device?
A: Yes, you can use VLC to download YouTube videos on your Android or iOS device. The steps are similar to the ones for the desktop version of VLC. However, you may need to enable some settings or permissions on your device to allow VLC to access the internet or save files.
Q: Can I use VLC to download YouTube playlists or channels?
A: No, you cannot use VLC to download YouTube playlists or channels. VLC can only download one YouTube video at a time. If you want to download multiple YouTube videos at once, you need to use other tools or methods.
Q: Can I use VLC to download YouTube videos in 4K or higher resolution?
A: Yes, you can use VLC to download YouTube videos in 4K or higher resolution. However, you need to make sure that the YouTube video you want to download has a 4K or higher resolution option available. You also need to have a fast internet connection and enough storage space on your computer or device.
Q: Can I use VLC to edit the downloaded YouTube videos?
A: Yes, you can use VLC to edit the downloaded YouTube videos. VLC has some basic editing features that allow you to trim, crop, rotate, adjust, filter, or add effects to the videos. You can access these features by clicking on "Tools" from the top menu bar, and then selecting "Effects and Filters". However, if you want more advanced editing features, you need to use other software or apps.
Q: Is it legal to use VLC to download YouTube videos?
A: It depends on the terms and conditions of YouTube and the content creators. Generally speaking, it is not legal to use VLC or any other tool to download YouTube videos without permission from the content owners. You may violate their copyrights or other rights. You may also violate the YouTube Terms of Service, which state that you are not allowed to download any content from YouTube unless you see a "download" or similar link displayed by YouTube on the Service for that content. Therefore, you should only use VLC to download YouTube videos for personal and non-commercial use, and respect the wishes of the content creators. You should also check the local laws and regulations in your country or region before downloading any YouTube videos. 44f88ac181
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