How to Download YouTube Videos as MP4 Files Using yt-dlp
September 13th, 2024 5:40 PM Mr. Q Categories: Internet, YouTube
If you’ve ever wanted to download YouTube videos in MP4 format, a powerful and reliable tool to use is yt-dlp. This open-source command-line utility is a fork of the well-known youtube-dl, but with extra features and better performance. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to install and use yt-dlp to download YouTube videos in MP4 format.
Why Choose yt-dlp?
yt-dlp is a highly versatile downloader that supports multiple platforms and gives you fine control over the format and quality of the videos you download. Unlike browser-based extensions, yt-dlp doesn’t come with annoying ads or restrictions. It’s efficient, updated regularly, and easy to integrate into your workflow.
How to Install yt-dlp
yt-dlp works across multiple operating systems, including Linux and Windows. Below are instructions on how to install it for both platforms.
Installation on Linux
- Download the yt-dlp binary:
Use thecurlcommand to download the latest version of yt-dlp.
sudo curl -L https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp -o /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp- Set executable permissions:
After downloading, give yt-dlp executable permissions so that you can run it.
sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/yt-dlpInstallation on Windows
- Visit the yt-dlp GitHub Releases page.
- Download the latest version of the Windows executable (
yt-dlp.exe). - Place the executable in a folder, such as
C:\yt-dlp, and add this folder to your system’s PATH to easily run the tool from anywhere.
How to Download a YouTube Video in MP4 Format
Once yt-dlp is installed, downloading a video in MP4 format is simple. Here’s how:
- Open your terminal or command prompt.
- Use the following command to download a video in MP4 format:
yt-dlp -f mp4 <video-url>Replace <video-url> with the URL of the YouTube video you want to download.
Downloading Audio Files with yt-dlp
yt-dlp is not limited to video downloads. You can also extract and download audio files in formats like MP3. Here’s how you can download the audio from a YouTube video:
- Use the following command to extract the audio and save it as an MP3 file:
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 <video-url>- yt-dlp will automatically convert the audio to the MP3 format and save it to your local machine.
Dealing with Common Errors in yt-dlp
When using yt-dlp, you may run into a couple of common issues, especially if you’re downloading videos that require post-processing or fixing certain media formats. Here’s how to handle these errors.
Issue 1: ffprobe Not Found
If you see a warning that says:
WARNING: Unable to extract metadata: ffprobe not found. Please install or provide the path using --ffmpeg-locationThis happens because yt-dlp requires ffmpeg and ffprobe for processing video files and extracting metadata. To fix this, you need to install ffmpeg.
- On Linux:
sudo apt update sudo apt install ffmpeg- On Windows:
- Download ffmpeg from the official website.Extract the files and add the bin folder (which contains
ffmpeg.exeandffprobe.exe) to your system’s PATH.
--ffmpeg-locationflag: - Download ffmpeg from the official website.Extract the files and add the bin folder (which contains
yt-dlp --ffmpeg-location "C:\path\to\ffmpeg\bin" <video-url>Issue 2: MPEG-TS in MP4 Container Error
Sometimes, you might encounter an error related to MPEG-TS in the MP4 container, such as:
ERROR: Postprocessing: Stream #0:1 -> #0:1 (copy)This error occurs when yt-dlp tries to fix the MPEG-TS stream in an MP4 file but fails due to incompatible formats. To resolve this, you can re-encode the video to a proper MP4 format using yt-dlp’s re-encode feature:
yt-dlp -f mp4 --recode-video mp4 <video-url>This will ensure the video is correctly processed and saved in an MP4 container.
Why yt-dlp is a Great Choice
- Versatility: yt-dlp supports multiple video platforms, not just YouTube.
- Customization: You can choose video quality, format, and even download subtitles if needed.
- Open-source: Regularly maintained and updated by the open-source community.
- No Ads: Unlike online converters, yt-dlp is free from intrusive ads and pop-ups.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a flexible, reliable, and ad-free way to download YouTube videos in MP4 format, yt-dlp is one of the best tools available. With a simple installation process and powerful options, it makes downloading content a breeze. Whether you’re saving videos for offline viewing, extracting audio, or troubleshooting media file errors, yt-dlp offers a highly customizable experience for all your media downloading needs.
Why yt-dlp is a Great Choice
- Versatility: yt-dlp supports multiple video platforms, not just YouTube.
- Customization: You can choose video quality, format, and even download subtitles if needed.
- Open-source: Regularly maintained and updated by the open-source community.
- No Ads: Unlike online converters, yt-dlp is free from intrusive ads and pop-ups.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a flexible, reliable, and ad-free way to download YouTube videos in MP4 format, yt-dlp is one of the best tools available. With a simple installation process and powerful options, it makes downloading content a breeze. Whether you’re saving videos for offline viewing or extracting audio, yt-dlp offers a highly customizable experience for all your media downloading needs.