Today, I want to share with you my personal experience and step-by-step guide on how to download YouTube videos using VLC media player. As an avid YouTube viewer, I often come across videos that I want to save for offline viewing or keep in my collection. While there are many online tools and software available for this purpose, VLC media player provides a simple and efficient solution that works on multiple platforms.
Why use VLC media player?
Before we dive into the steps, let me briefly explain why VLC media player is a great choice for downloading YouTube videos. First and foremost, VLC is a free, open-source multimedia player that supports a wide range of formats. It is widely used and trusted by millions of users around the world.
One of the lesser-known features of VLC is its ability to act as a YouTube video downloader. By leveraging the power of VLC’s media streaming capabilities, we can easily download and save YouTube videos without the need for any third-party software.
Step 1: Install VLC media player
The first step in this process is to make sure you have VLC media player installed on your computer. If you don’t already have it, you can download it from the official website here. VLC is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, so choose the version that is compatible with your operating system.
Step 2: Obtain the YouTube video URL
Next, open your web browser and go to YouTube. Find the video you want to download and copy its URL from the address bar. To do this, simply highlight the entire URL and press Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac.
Step 3: Open VLC media player and access the Open Media dialog
Now, open VLC media player on your computer. In the menu bar, click on “Media” and then choose “Open Network Stream” or simply press Ctrl+N on Windows or Command+N on Mac to access the Open Media dialog.
Step 4: Paste the YouTube video URL
In the Open Media dialog, there is a field labeled “Please enter a network URL.” Paste the YouTube video URL that you copied earlier into this field by pressing Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac. Then, click on the “Play” button.
Step 5: Save the YouTube video
Once you click “Play,” VLC will start streaming the YouTube video. Now, all you need to do is go to the “Media” menu again, click on “Convert/Save,” or press Ctrl+R on Windows or Command+R on Mac. This will open the Convert dialog.
In the Convert dialog, you can choose the destination folder where you want to save the downloaded YouTube video. Click on the “Browse” button to select a folder and give your video a name. Make sure to include the proper file extension, such as “.mp4” or “.mkv”.
After selecting the destination folder and naming your video, click on the “Start” button to initiate the download process. VLC will now download the YouTube video and save it to your specified location. The speed of the download will depend on your internet connection and the size of the video.
Conclusion
Downloading YouTube videos using VLC media player is a convenient and reliable method that doesn’t require any additional software or online tools. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily save your favorite videos for offline viewing or build your own personal collection.
Remember to respect copyright laws and only download videos that you have the right to access and store. Always consider the terms of service of YouTube and the content creators before downloading and using their videos.
So, next time you come across a YouTube video that you want to keep, give VLC media player a try. It’s a versatile media player that goes beyond just playback and offers a range of useful features, including the ability to download YouTube videos.