How Download YouTube Video and Audio?

[TomBrooklyn]

What is a good way to download youtube video with audio; and audio only?

I am interested only in free or open source software solutions.

[mariush]

I'm using this for Firefox : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/download-youtube/

Adds a "Download" button under the video.

[Guest]

I'm using this for Firefox : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/download-youtube/

Adds a "Download" button under the video. That looks very sweet. :thanks:

[chainring]

Or use Chrome Canary (http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/canary.html) along with Youtube Center (https://github.com/YePpHa/YouTubeCenter/wiki).

[laserfan]

I've been using KeepVid but it's not ideal. What I'd like most is (if possible) a button you could click after watching that keeps the video you just streamed to your PC. Out here in the country we have limited bandwidth so try not to spend double if it's something I want to keep.

I'm not sure how these fit with D9's policies now that I think of it. Though the downloads I'm talking about, typically instructional videos about using this-or-that product, or construction techniques, or companys' sales vids, are always free-to-use AFAICT.

[mariush]

The extension I linked to adds a download button under the video that also allows you to select the format and tells you the file size. You can select the format you want and start the video download, then you can simply close that youtube page so that the embedded player won't buffer the video... or you can just move away to another Youtube page.

I understand what you probably mean, you want to have an option to "recover" somehow the video after you watched it. There's several problems with that. For one, an extension runs in the browser page as a script, while the video is downloaded by Flash plugin, which is like a separate universe - the script running on the page could probably determine the address from where Flash downloads the video but can't know where Flash saves on disk the video, if it even saves it to disk.

Also, lately Youtube uses a new approach to playing video, they have several formats of video and the audio is separate. The Flash plugin starts downloading the audio and then depending on your internet connection, it switches between video formats and syncs the video file to the audio file in real time. So your 10 minute video could have 2 minutes of 1280x720 content and 8 minutes of 480x360 content - it's quite complex to take all those pieces (before they're deleted by Flash as they're no longer needed) and recompose them in a single video file with audio included.

The extension I mention simply queries the Youtube servers just as the Flash plugin does and takes advantage of the fact that Youtube still offers the videos in some of those classic plain formats (basic mp4 files), most likely they're still available for compatibility, to make Youtube work with cheaper hardware playback that don't have the resources to do what Flash does in the background to recombine everything.
So you can choose one of those plain files to download but afaik you have no control over what the Flash player will choose to use.

Hope I've explained it well enough.

[laserfan]

Hope I've explained it well enough.
I [think I] get it, tks. At least, it seems unless Flash someday incorporates a "Like this? Save to disk..." option, my hopes are dashed.

I don't use it a lot, but it seems to me the Keepvid I've used in the past varies from the FF plugin by requiring me to copy/paste the youtube url and then select from those "classic formats" as you say. I'll try instead the FF plugin which at least should give me an easy way to say "download now" vs. Keepvid.

Thanks a lot for the explanation!

[Brazil2]

http://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/

[Guest]

I'm using this for Firefox : https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/download-youtube/

Adds a "Download" button under the video. It didn't work for me. Download popped up a new tab with a long URL but nothing got downloaded. Is there some trick I miss?

[laserfan]

It didn't work for me. Download popped up a new tab with a long URL but nothing got downloaded. Is there some trick I miss?
Hmm worked for me--for the video I'd queued-up I clicked on it and got 3 selections in the drop-down: FLV 240p, MP4 360p, MP4 720p.

I have a lot of other addons in my FF including AdBlock and FlashBlock but maybe you have a conflict?

[foxyshadis]

Hmm worked for me--for the video I'd queued-up I clicked on it and got 3 selections in the drop-down: FLV 240p, MP4 360p, MP4 720p.

I have a lot of other addons in my FF including AdBlock and FlashBlock but maybe you have a conflict?

That's one of many extensions that don't support DASH, and some newer videos are going DASH-only now, aside from always missing out on the highest-quality versions. YoutubeCenter for Chrome also doesn't. KeepVid is one of the few online solutions that does (how I wish they'd make a browser extension).

SMTube, part of SMPlayer, can download and mux DASH streams. It's the only software I know of that does.

Edit: I take that back, SMTube still requires you to download audio and video separately and mux. I guess that was a coming feature, not a finished one.

[Brazil2]

Youtube-dl (http://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/) can download any available format including DASH, audio only and also subtitles.
A GUI is available for lazy people :p
https://github.com/MrS0m30n3/youtube-dl-gui

If you're looking for a Firefox extension that works then try:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/flashgot/ (GPL2 (http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html), the best one)
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/ (Custom license (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/license/4.9.22), calls home and sets cookies)

Both extensions also work with other video hosting services (Vimeo, Dailymotion, more...)

[SeeMoreDigital]

I use the 'basic' version of YTD Video Downloader (http://www.ytddownloader.com/).

Whenever an updated version comes out, I download the new .exe file. Unpack it using 7-zip. And swap the old files with the new ones ;)

[LigH]

Among the Mozilla Firefox add-ons, Video DownloadHelper 4.x used to be unable to handle DASH video, therefore the Complete YouTube Saver was recommended as more powerful alternative (it uses ffmpeg as CLI multiplexer after downloading separate video and audio streams, so point it to your preferred build, e.g. by zeranoe) — but now, DownloadHelper v5 is out and supposed to handle DASH too. (Unfortunately, their website (http://www.downloadhelper.net/) appears to be down, probably due to the extreme traffic with the new release.)

Most current CYS versions (v5.6.17 now) should be downloaded from their website (http://www.cys-audiovideodownloader.com/), because Mozilla is a bit slow testing them and updating them in their Add-ons site. It also has a special variant for SeaMonkey.

[StainlessS]

To download from cache (already viewed in browser)

Posted elsewhere:

EDIT: For a Mpeg-Dash clip.
EDIT: VideoCacheView requires GPac install for mp4box to mux the separate mpeg-Dash Video + Audio files to
single mp4 automatically.

EDIT: No re-encode, just muxes the separate streams from cache. (Dash is a bit weird).

VideoCacheView from Nirsoft http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html#audio_video_utils

GPac http://gpac.wp.mines-telecom.fr/

EDIT: From VideoCacheView page:

VideoCacheView v2.82
After watching a video in a Web site, you may want to save the video file into your local disk for playing it offline in the future. If the video file is stored in your browser's cache, this utility can help you to extract the video file from the cache and save it for watching it in the future.
It automatically scans the entire cache of Internet Explorer and Mozilla-based Web browsers (Including Firefox) and finds all video files that are currently stored in it. It allows you to easily copy the cached video files into another folder for playing/watching them in the future. If you have a movie player that is configured to play flv files, it also allows you to play the video directly from your browser's cache.

Version 2.60

Added support for saving the new MPEG-DASH streams of YouTube as MP4 file that can be played on any media player. Requires to install additional open-source software: GPAC. VideoCacheView uses the MP4Box utility installed as a part of GPAC package to convert the MPEG-DASH streams into a valid mp4 file that can be played with any media player. Special thanks to one of NirSoft users who gave me the hint for solving the problem with MPEG-DASH streams.

[kuchikirukia]

Youtube-dl (http://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/) can download any available format including DASH, audio only and also subtitles.
A GUI is available for lazy people :p
https://github.com/MrS0m30n3/youtube-dl-gui

Any way to get the GUI to download the highest quality audio? "Default" grabbed the 720p video with 192k audio. To get 1080p you need to use DASH and it has two audio options, 128k and 48k, when 256k is available.

Anyway, I've been using Jdownloader 2.

[alastairbrian]

I use the 'basic' version of YTD Video Downloader (http://www.ytddownloader.com/).

Whenever an updated version comes out, I download the new .exe file. Unpack it using 7-zip. And swap the old files with the new ones ;)

Yes, that is the one, I am also using for this purpose. ;)

[RRD]

Anyway, I've been using Jdownloader 2.

It's my favourite video/audio downloader too. It has many customization options for YouTube (http://i.imgur.com/bC6AIu5.png) and is updated often to be compatible with new websites/formats. The Support board (https://board.jdownloader.org/?langid=1) is quite active if you encounter an issue.

Be sure to disable the advertised software during the installation.
http://jdownloader.org/download/offline

[luquinhas0021]

http://clipconverter.cc

[manono]

http://clipconverter.cc
Am I wrong in thinking it forces a lossy conversion? If so, why would I want that? If not, why does it say, "4. This may take several minutes. After the conversion is finished you can download the converted file."?

[Bloax]

youtube-dl (http://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/) is the best choice if you can deal with the command-line interface (I have no idea how that GUI managed to be so bad)
Any way to get the GUI to download the highest quality audio? "Default" grabbed the 720p video with 192k audio. To get 1080p you need to use DASH and it has two audio options, 128k and 48k, when 256k is available.
You can download the 1080p video and the 256k audio separately and then remux the video with the 256k audio.

[luquinhas0021]

Manono, if your reply was for me, I say to you that you are so much wrong: clipconverter.cc doesn't force, by default, any type of conversion.

[manono]

Manono, if your reply was for me, I say to you that you are so much wrong: clipconverter.cc doesn't force, by default, any type of conversion.
Yes, the reply was for you and what you said is good to know. I was only going by what the website said. Me, I use MassTube, usually.

[Schrade]

Among the Mozilla Firefox add-ons, Video DownloadHelper 4.x used to be unable to handle DASH video, therefore the Complete YouTube Saver was recommended as more powerful alternative (it uses ffmpeg as CLI multiplexer after downloading separate video and audio streams, so point it to your preferred build, e.g. by zeranoe) — but now, DownloadHelper v5 is out and supposed to handle DASH too. (Unfortunately, their website (http://www.downloadhelper.net/) appears to be down, probably due to the extreme traffic with the new release.)

Most current CYS versions (v5.6.17 now) should be downloaded from their website (http://www.cys-audiovideodownloader.com/), because Mozilla is a bit slow testing them and updating them in their Add-ons site. It also has a special variant for SeaMonkey.

I use Complete YouTube Saver and it works quite well. Allows you to choose what quality you want to download. Very convenient.

[robertsmark]

https://www.dvdvideosoft.com/guides/how-to-download-youtube-playlist.htm

[Katie Boundary]

In my experience, Keepvid is the only service that has reliably been able to keep up with Youtube's anti-downloading douchebaggery.

What I'd REALLY like is the option to download the exact files that were originally uploaded to Youtube in the first place, before they got converted to FLV/MP4/whatever, but we all know what the chances are of THAT happening.

[johnmeyer]

You do understand that YouTube is operating a business and that in order to make that business work, they have to stop people from stealing their videos? Complaining about YouTube trying to protect their videos is exactly like complaining about the store owner who installs security cameras, bars on the windows, and keeps a loaded shotgun behind the counter because he is constantly having his merchandise stolen.

There is zero difference between the two situations, and therefore characterizing YouTube's actions as "douchebaggery" is simply wrong.

People are getting so accustomed to "free" and so callous to property rights that it is a little frightening at times. A lot of Internet companies are in the process of going out of business, and you will see that trend continuing. YouTube is not immune to that trend, and I am sure that everyone has noticed the rapid change in their policies as they try to figure out how to pay for the petabytes of storage, and unfathomable amount of electricity needed to deliver this "free" service. I have a little inside information on what goes on there, and believe me, their future is far from guaranteed, and theft is one of the reasons why the service is going to massively change over the next few years. They cannot keep subsidizing it from other Google operations (I assume most people know that Google owns YouTube).

[manolito]

This is absolutely wrong... :devil:

Youtube's business is based on user uploads. Mostly the users who upload the stuff do not own the rights of the content they upload. And Youtube just assumes that as long as noone objects they can distribute this content. As soon as some rights owner intervenes and lets Youtube know that he ownes the rights then Youtube will stop distributing this content.

Now look at the way Youtube tries to protect their files from downloading. Of course they are interested in prohibiting downloading their content. And they do constantly change their protocols to make it harder to download it. But there is the old Surpreme Court ruling about Sony Beta recorders. If you can watch it legally (which Youtube claims) then it is totally legal to record it to some device like a Beta (or VHS) VCR. For Youtube this means that if they can distribute the content legally, then they cannot do anything against users recording this content.

So far Youtube did not take any legal action against software companies who make it possible to download files from their site. I think they know why...


Cheers
manolito

[johnmeyer]

Absolutely wrong? Not exactly, although you do make some good points.

You are correct about the ruling about Beta recorders, although as I mention at the end of this post, I don't think it applies. You also have to look at more recent laws and rulings which govern digital content. Those newer laws significantly changed how digital content is protected. This includes, but is not limited to, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and all of its revisions, and all the clarification, via litigation, since it was first enacted almost two decades ago. That law is very complicated, and I wouldn't even think of venturing into a debate about it. If other people want to go down that path, have at it, but I won't be able to participate because there are so many conflicts in the law and how it is applied that I can't even begin to understand all of it.

It is a little like trying to understand our tax code.:angry:

My only point in bringing that up, is that while the common practice is that most of us (me too) download or copy video from the Internet, the legality of that is far from crystal clear. More important, the minute you do anything other than just watch it with friends and family, you are probably doing something that is technically wrong. This includes re-posting. I have gone after people who have misused and re-posted my YouTube videos, and so far have prevailed in every case. I make money from those videos, via direct licensing deals with broadcasters, documentary film makers, and movie studios, and when people use that content without my permission, I lose money. The law is on my side.

Finally, my main point was about how doing things that YouTube is trying to prevent (specifically downloading their videos so you can do something with them other than watching them) harms their business model. They make almost 100% of their money from advertising (I know this from people at YouTube) and if their videos get re-used somewhere else, that dilutes their revenue stream.

So, I agree that downloading for watching at a later time (which is the analog of the long-ago Betamax decision) is probably fine, but most people who are downloading want to do something more that watch it because they obviously can already do that any time they want simply by clicking on the YouTube video.

BTW, because of what I just wrote in that last sentence, the Betamax decision really doesn't apply. Back when that case went to court, the only time you could watch a TV program was when the network broadcast the show. The Betamax (and later VHS and 8mm) let you record that and play it back when you wanted. Since we can now watch a YouTube video any time we want, there is zero reason to need to download it for the purpose of watching it whenever you want. Therefore, the act of downloading is unquestionably for another purpose, and the Betamax decision probably has no bearing.

[LigH]

Back to the technical aspect: CYS is being overhauled.

No More Updates

There will be no more updates after v5.7.36. We are rewriting the code from scratch, not just for WebExtensions but for the other browsers as well. We will be back soon with a new and improved version of CYS.

There will be no more tech support until the new version is out.

And YouTube sometimes changes details in the access to video sources. Several technologies are involved (DASH, HLS, JavaScript), and when the development of a downloader stops, it is possible that it is not anymore able to download parts of the required content. For about a week now, I notice CYS failing several downloads again. Especially rather MP4 related formats.

Just in case you are interested in mixing the best available MP4-related video format (highest resolution AVC) and the best available MP4-related audio format (highest bitrate AAC), even though they may come from DASH here and another streaming technology there (e.g. best audio in non-DASH 720p format 22): Copy a recent ffmpeg to the youtube-dl directory and try the parameter

-f "bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]/mp4"

(Windows may prefer double quotes; Linux may require single quotes instead)

[Midzuki]

......
but most people who are downloading want to do something more than watch it because they obviously can already do that any time they want simply by clicking on the YouTube video.
Except when that video is not available on YouTube anymore.
Happens all the time :-/

[johnmeyer]

Except when that video is not available on YouTube anymore.
Happens all the time :-/
Good point.

[Katie Boundary]

we can now watch a YouTube video any time we want

Not true. Videos get taken down from Youtube for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes a copyright owner will complain about infringement. Sometimes, someone's videos will be too "politically incorrect" for Youtube, which is what happened to the cute Canadian Nazi girl "Evalion". Sometimes a user will take their own videos down for unknown reasons. The bottom line is, any Youtube video can disappear at any moment, and some people don't want that information to be lost forever. As an example, the Action Figure Therapy episode titled "Why Kanye West Sucks" is no longer up, but because I saved it to my hard drive before it got taken down, I was able to re-upload it to Vimeo:

https://vimeo.com/185514399

Unfortunately, some pretty good videos were taken down before I figured out how to download them, including a music video using footage from Battlestar Galactica and the song "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, and one using footage from Bayformers and a mashup of three different Daft Punk songs: "Television Rules the Nation", "Around the World", and "Harder Better Faster Stronger".

[LigH]

Isn't it funny how little I (as a German) know about supposedly famous musicians like Kanye West or Macklemore? I never understood the memes belonging to them. I never heard any of their songs ... until I saw Deluxe Music or searched for their "legacy". I doubt they are aware that there are regions in "the rest of the world" where they have little impact. Even more do I enjoy the humble subway scene with Jay Z and the elder lady.

[Katie Boundary]

What the hell is a Macklemore?

[LigH]

A guy with fabulous hair, fabulous jackets, and a fabulous rap style...

https://img.ifcdn.com/images/5887bb20c35e503abac45ee6746a9eb28b919d31f14cfc92a662ab42a2ba764f_1.jpg

[MrVideo]

I use JDownloader2. It is a Java program, so it works on all three OSes.

[dipje]

Like someone said, learn youtube-dl. Free no adware or stuff, gets updated when needed. Can list all the streams available and let you choose what you want , mux them together with ffmpeg. With filters you can do stuff like 'get the highest MP4/avc video that is max 720p and mix with highest AAC audio', download entire playlists etc..

Conversion is also possible with it (uses ffmpeg if you download that too ) but to me the power is to filter the streams that I want and then leave them alone :).

Also one of the few tools I know of that can rip the HDR streams properly.

[Ben Stokes]

If youÂ’re wondering how to download YouTube video and audio quickly, YTMP4Hub (https://ytmp4hub.cc/) is a great option. It lets you convert and save content in MP4 or MP3 format without needing any software just copy the link and youÂ’re good to go!

[Swede]

Seriously? A 7 year old thread?