How to download Youtube Videos

I've been looking for a solution to download YouTube videos forever, and Google doesn't help. But now I have one, and you do too! (And you don't need to download anything except the movie you want! )

Most sites (about 99%) that say that they can download youtube videos, but they can't because of a hosting change.

In 10 parts, you can get youtube videos, and it usually takes less than 5 minutes.

1. Go to the video you want to download.
2. Make sure the URL is in this format: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BCVLRPQUnY and copy it.
3. Go to http://www.youtubecatcher.com/
4. Paste the URL into the text area, and press the Download Video Button
5. Right click on the link that says "Right-Click Here to Download Your Video (FLV format)" and select Save Link As (or Save Target As) save it to your desktop.
6. Go to http://media-convert.com/
7. Click the FIRST browse button. Select the .flv video you just downloaded.
8. Make sure the output format is "Windows Media Video (.wmv)"
9. Click OK
10. Wait for it to upload and convert, then you are done. A fully playable YouTube video on your computer!


If you're wondering why you need to convert it to a .wmv, try playing it as a .flv and see for yourself. It won't play. It will just show a blank screen, and if you right click your mouse, it will say Movie not loaded.

A simple script can be used to download youtube. eg Python script

Code: [Select]

import urllib
import os
import sys
url = sys.argv[1]
page=urllib.urlopen(url)
result = page.read()
#result=open("test.html").read()
startindex = result.index("var swfArgs")
result = result[startindex:]
endindex=result.index("};")
result=result[:endindex]
result =  result.split(",")
get={}

def download(url,output):
    """Copy the contents of a file from a given URL to a local file."""   
    webFile = urllib.urlretrieve(url,output+".flv")

for line in result:
    if "video_id" in line or "\"t\"" in line :
        v,vnum = line.replace("\"","").split(":")
        get[v.strip()]=vnum.strip()
   
dload = "http://www.youtube.com/get_video?video_id=%s&t=%s" % ( get['video_id'],get['t'])

try :
    download(dload,get['video_id'])
except Exception,e:
    print "Error: ",e

to execute:

Code: [Select]

c:\test> python youtube.py "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BCVLRPQUnY"

similarly, it can be done using Perl/Ruby/Java etc, or even wget for windows.

WE have already mentioned that here.  Not sure were it is but we can put the url here keepvideo and then enter a title and it saves it in a flv format.

      Hmmm... had any of You tried 'Download Master'?

Never heard of it.

   Too bad... It can download YouTube videos much easier...

or ....

http://www.downloadyoutubevideos.com/

That saves youtube videos, just gotta remember to save as with .flv extension.

I like useing realplaer cause less hastle.

A simple script can be used to download youtube. eg Python script

Code: [Select]

import urllib
import os
import sys
url = sys.argv[1]
page=urllib.urlopen(url)
result = page.read()
#result=open("test.html").read()
startindex = result.index("var swfArgs")
result = result[startindex:]
endindex=result.index("};")
result=result[:endindex]
result =  result.split(",")
get={}

def download(url,output):
    """Copy the contents of a file from a given URL to a local file."""   
    webFile = urllib.urlretrieve(url,output+".flv")

for line in result:
    if "video_id" in line or "\"t\"" in line :
        v,vnum = line.replace("\"","").split(":")
        get[v.strip()]=vnum.strip()
   
dload = "http://www.youtube.com/get_video?video_id=%s&t=%s" % ( get['video_id'],get['t'])

try :
    download(dload,get['video_id'])
except Exception,e:
    print "Error: ",e

to execute:

Code: [Select]

c:\test> python youtube.py "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BCVLRPQUnY"

similarly, it can be done using Perl/Ruby/Java etc, or even wget for windows.

Most youtube downloading websites use the www.youtube.com/get_video (which doesn't work anymore), which is why I posted a 100% working version.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001002.htm

That was it. 

KeepVid.com 

Use it myself, haven't gotten any viruses and crap from it.

You can download a High(MP4 file) or a Low(Flash Video) quality video. 

neither have i.  Except that you have to change the filename at times.

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001002.htm

Keepvid: Works
Videospider: No
Youtubex: No
Videodownloaded: No

VideoGet --> A $19.95 software that downloads youtube videos and can convert to various file types if you specify. It works well, I haven't had a problem with it. I got it free on giveawayoftheday.com when it was there, I still have the install and license key for the program if anybody wants it still.