How to Download YouTube Videos Using VLC Media Player
YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for watching and sharing online videos. However, sometimes you may want to download YouTube videos to your computer or mobile device for offline viewing, editing, or backup. There are many tools and methods available for downloading YouTube videos, but one of them may surprise you: VLC Media Player.
Introduction
What is VLC Media Player?
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source software that can play almost any type of media file, such as audio, video, DVD, CD, or streaming content. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and other platforms. It has many features and settings that allow you to customize your media playback experience. You can download VLC Media Player from its official website .
download youtube using vlc
Why use VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos?
VLC Media Player is not only a media player, but also a media converter and downloader. It can download YouTube videos by streaming them to a file on your computer. This method has some advantages over other tools or methods:
It is free and safe. You don't need to install any third-party software or extensions that may contain malware or ads.
It is versatile. You can download YouTube videos in different formats and resolutions, such as MP4, MP3, 720p, 1080p, etc.
It is easy. You only need to copy and paste the YouTube video URL and follow some simple steps.
However, there are also some disadvantages of using VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos:
It is not very reliable. Sometimes it may fail to download YouTube videos due to network issues, codec errors, or other reasons.
It is not very fast. It may take longer time to download YouTube videos than other tools or methods.
It is not very user-friendly. It may require some technical skills and knowledge to adjust the settings and options.
In this article, we will show you two methods of how to download YouTube videos with VLC Media Player. You can choose the one that suits you best.
Method 1: How to download YouTube videos with VLC using the Open Network Stream option
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 full-length video URL from the address bar of your browser.
Step 2: Open VLC and select Open Network Stream
Open VLC Media Player on your computer. On the top menu bar, click "Media" and then click "Open Network Stream". You can also press "Ctrl + N" on your keyboard as a shortcut. Step 3: Paste the YouTube video URL and click Play
In the Open Media window, paste the YouTube video URL in the "Network URL" box. Then click "Play" at the bottom. The YouTube video will start playing in VLC Media Player.
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Step 4: View the Codec Information and copy the Location field
While the YouTube video is playing, click "Tools" on the top menu bar and then click "Codec Information". You can also press "Ctrl + J" on your keyboard as a shortcut. A new window will pop up with some information about the media file. In the "Location" field at the bottom, you will see a long URL. This is the direct link to the YouTube video file. Select and copy this URL.
Step 5: Open a new browser tab and paste the copied URL
Open a new tab in your browser and paste the copied URL in the address bar. Press "Enter" to load the page. The YouTube video will start playing in your browser.
Step 6: Right-click the video and select Save video as
Right-click on the video and select "Save video as" from the menu. A dialog box will appear where you can choose a location and a name for the downloaded file. You can also change the file format if you want. Click "Save" to start downloading the YouTube video to your computer.
Method 2: How to download YouTube videos with VLC using the Stream option
Step 1: Copy the YouTube video URL
The first step is the same as in Method 1. 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 full-length video URL from the address bar of your browser.
Step 2: Open VLC and select Stream
Open VLC Media Player on your computer. On the top menu bar, click "Media" and then click "Stream". You can also press "Ctrl + S" on your keyboard as a shortcut. Step 3: Paste the YouTube video URL and click Next
In the Open Media window, click the "Network" tab and paste the YouTube video URL in the "Network URL" box. Then click "Next" at the bottom.
Step 4: Add a destination file and click Next
In the Stream Output window, click the "Browse" button next to the "Destination file" box. A dialog box will appear where you can choose a location and a name for the downloaded file. You can also change the file format if you want. Click "Save" to confirm your choice. Then click "Next" at the bottom.
Step 5: Activate transcoding and select a profile
In the Transcoding Options window, check the box next to "Activate Transcoding". Then select a profile from the drop-down menu. You can choose from different formats and resolutions, such as MP4, MP3, 720p, 1080p, etc. You can also customize the profile by clicking the wrench icon next to it. Then click "Next" at the bottom.
Step 6: Click Stream and wait for the download to finish
In the Stream Output window, click "Stream" at the bottom. The YouTube video will start streaming to your computer. You can see the progress in the VLC Media Player interface. Wait for the download to finish. You can find the downloaded file in the location you specified in Step 4.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have shown you two methods of how to download YouTube videos with VLC Media Player. Both methods require you to copy and paste the YouTube video URL and follow some simple steps. The first method uses the Open Network Stream option and downloads the YouTube video as it is. The second method uses the Stream option and converts the YouTube video to a different format or resolution.
Advantages and disadvantages of using VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos
Using VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos has some advantages over other tools or methods:
It is free and safe. You don't need to install any third-party software or extensions that may contain malware or ads.
It is versatile. You can download YouTube videos in different formats and resolutions, such as MP4, MP3, 720p, 1080p, etc.
It is easy. You only need to copy and paste the YouTube video URL and follow some simple steps.
However, there are also some disadvantages of using VLC Media Player to download YouTube videos:
It is not very reliable. Sometimes it may fail to download YouTube videos due to network issues, codec errors, or other reasons.
It is not very fast. It may take longer time to download YouTube videos than other tools or methods.
It is not very user-friendly. It may require some technical skills and knowledge to adjust the settings and options.
Recommendations for other tools or methods
If you are looking for other tools or methods to download YouTube videos, you may want to try some of these alternatives:
: A desktop software that can download YouTube videos in high quality and various formats.
: A desktop software that can download and convert YouTube videos in different formats.
: A web-based service that can download YouTube videos online without installing any software.
: A web-based service that can download YouTube videos online by adding "ss" before "youtube.com" in the video URL.
: A paid subscription service that allows you to download YouTube videos for offline viewing on your mobile device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I download YouTube videos with VLC on my mobile device?
A: Yes, you can download YouTube videos with VLC on your Android or iOS device. However, the process may be different from the desktop version. You may need to use a third-party app or browser to copy and paste the YouTube video URL. You may also need to change some settings or options in VLC to enable downloading or streaming.
Q: Can I download YouTube playlists or channels with VLC?A: No, you cannot download YouTube playlists or channels with VLC. VLC can only download individual YouTube videos by streaming them to a file. If you want to download YouTube playlists or channels, you may need to use other tools or methods that support batch downloading.
Q: Can I download YouTube videos with subtitles or captions with VLC?
A: Yes, you can download YouTube videos with subtitles or captions with VLC. However, you may need to enable the subtitles or captions option in VLC before downloading. You may also need to choose a profile that supports subtitles or captions in the transcoding options. Alternatively, you can download the subtitles or captions file separately from YouTube and add it to the downloaded video file.
Q: Can I download YouTube videos with audio only with VLC?
A: Yes, you can download YouTube videos with audio only with VLC. However, you may need to choose a profile that only contains audio in the transcoding options. You can also convert the downloaded video file to an audio format using VLC or other tools.
Q: Is it legal to download YouTube videos with VLC?
A: It depends on the terms and conditions of YouTube and the content owners. Generally, downloading YouTube videos for personal use is not illegal, but uploading or distributing them without permission may violate the copyright laws. You should respect the intellectual property rights of the content owners and follow the fair use guidelines.
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