There are many documented methods out there but still some people aren't aware, that all web videos actually can be saved. I use three different tools to get the best results:
- the Firefox Add-On Download Helper (66 Mio downloads)
- and Handbrake to convert the videos to the size and format that best suits my needs
- AudioCoder for all audio related tasks with full control (aka Mediacoder Audio Edition)
Before you start grabbing videos you need to know just one important thing:
>> YouTube offers most videos in different resolutions
Let me give you an example: If you're an audiophile type, then you certainly want to know that higher quality streams also offer better audio encoding. It might be essential to the music grabber to understand the different quality levels available, since Download Helper offers you to choose the desired encoding and size level. If you haven't heard about that, you gonna end up with lower quality than expected.
This list gives you an overview of available YouTube formats
(will complete it later)
Type | Resolution | Ratio | Format | Audio (quality) | Name | video bit rate |
[HQ6] | 480x360 | 4:3 | FLV | mono | HQ6 | |
[HQ18] | 480x360 | 4:3 | MP4 | stereo | add &fmt=18 to url | |
[HQ35] | 854x480 | 16:9 | FLV | 44.1 kHz stereo AAC 102kps | 480p | |
[HQ22] | 1280x720 | 16:9 | MP4 | 44.1 khz stereo AAC LC 128kps | 720p | ~730kbps @30fps |
[HQ13] | 176x144 | 4:3 | 3GP | mono | HQ13 | |
[HQ17] | 176x144 | 4:3 | 3GP | stereo | QCIF Mobile | |
[HQ34] | 640x360 | 16:9 | FLV | stereo | 360p | |
[HQ37] | 1920x1080 | 16:9 | MP4 | stereo | 1080p | |
[HQ38] | 4096x2304 also 2048x1152 | 16:9 | MP4 AVC1 high @L5.0 | 44.1kHz stereo AAC 151Kbps /VBR) | 4k or 4096p or “original” | 4k ~??? 2k ~1570 kbps @30fps |
[HQ5] | 400x226 | 16:9 | FLV | stereo | 240p |
In many cases you then want to convert the downloaded stuff:
>> Handbrake is very easy to use and delivers fantastic results.
- Open the video you want to convert (the source video)
- choose one of the predefined profiles
- edit the settings (resolution) to your likings
- choose the destination for the converted file
- go!
Looking for an easy way to create MP3 Files from the grabbed video? Usually it takes only two to three clicks to extract the sound. I suggest using AudioCoder. (Beacause of LAME.exe problems and drag&drop you should download the 32bit version only.) I convert because I prefer how perfectly mp3 is treated by all devices out there - I'm talking about skipping tracks, embedding cover art, embedding meta data etc.
You lose a bit of quality while converting AAC to let's say mp3 "cbr 164kb/s" because both are lossy compression formats but I couldn't care less about that, while being in a crowded airport or a TGV... phreaks just shouldn't convert.
[09.08.2011 - please note, that I'm checking on alternatives to MediaCoder products because - they violate GPL for not properly informing about the ffmpeg licence, not to mention the absence of source code providing since 2008. Chinese product - open source first - closed source since 2008? It's wrong. BTW Same problem with Freemake - with freemake I'm even more sceptic because they hide all their intentions and sources.]
>> If you want to deal with the original AAC audio stream only, you might want to try the small tool Yamb >> developer site, "editing" / "extract streams"to split/demux the AAC audio stream from the video stream.
