[Resolved] How to Download YouTube Video with VLC Media Player

Are you familiar with VLC Media Player? VLC Media Player, simply called VLC, provides free services and works as an open-source and cross-platform media player produced and managed by VideoLAN project, where you can play multimedia files and different streaming protocols. You can search for and download VLC on multiple operating systems such as Android, iOS, and Windows. But you don't need to worry about the danger brought by spyware or user tracking that many other applications have because VLC doesn't have this function.

Without advertisement, VLC would like to offer a completely clean streaming and playing environment to you and you won't be bothered by the annoying commercials. What's more, the quality of watching experience will be improved by a customized user interface because you can make your own skins for VLC, including the color and the style. Besides, VLC allows users to download YouTube videos. Below this blog will elaborate how to download YouTube videos with VLC and another easy-to-use VLC alternative to download in case that VLC is not working.

CONTENTS

Part 1. How to Download YouTube Videos with VLC Media Player

If you have used YouTube to stream videos for a long time, you certainly know that YouTube doesn't provide free service for users to download videos from it. So, there are many users seeking for applications to help download YouTube videos. VLC Media Player is one of them. Now let's see how to use it.

STEP 1. Copy the URL of YouTube Videos
First, please open YouTube and search for the video that you would like to download by using the search bar on the top of the page. After YouTube gives you results, please select the one with the version that you want. After you open the video page, please copy the link from the address bar.

STEP 2. Paste the URL of YouTube Videos
Please open VLC Media Player. If you don’t have the application, you can go to https://www.videolan.org to download for free. On VLC, please tap Media >> Open Network Stream to open a new network stream. If you are an iOS operating system user, please tap File >> Open Network. Then you will see a box saying, 'enter a network URL'. Please paste the URL of the YouTube video to the box. Click on Play on Windows or Open on iOS to play the YouTube video.

STEP 3. Download YouTube Videos

Next, please open the video's codec information by tapping Tools >> Codec Information on Windows or Window >> Media Information on iOS. After a window is shown, you will see a long address at the Location field and please copy the address. Then please open a new tab on your browser and open the copied long address. After your browser analyzes the address, you are able to watch the video. Right-click the video and choose Save Video As in the drop-down menu, so you can save the video locally.

Part 2. VLC Alternative to Download YouTube Videos Easily

If you don't want to download an application on your computer or find downloading YouTube video with VLC a little bit troublesome, you can try this VLC alternative, VidPaw. As an online video downloader and converter, VidPaw doesn't require users to download any application or software because you can directly download and convert videos on your browser.

Like VLC Media Player, VidPaw won't charge its users any expense. With a simple and easy-to-use interface, you won't be troubled by switching from one page to another page or spending long time finding the downloading engine. Besides, VidPaw can help users download and convert videos that are from over 1,000 sites, including famous video sharing platforms and social networking sites like YouTube, Netflix, and Facebook. There are various formats and quality for you to choose, with MP4 as the most recommended format.

VidPaw also allows users to browse for various types of videos such as movie trailers and gaming videos, which provides learning opportunities or trending fashion. Now let’s move on to know the steps of using VidPaw!

STEP 1. Copy the Link of the Video

Let's take downloading and converting YouTube videos for example. Please go to https://www.youtube.com and find out the video that you want to download. Choose the one with the version in your preference. After you navigate to the video page, please press Ctrl + C or Command + C to copy the link of the video from the address bar on the top of the page.

STEP 2. Paste the Link of the Video
After you get the link, please navigate to VidPaw in a new web page. When the web page loads the user interface of VidPaw for you, you will see the downloading bar in the middle. Please paste the copied link to the downloading bar and press Download on the right.

STEP 3. Download the Video

After VidPaw generates different downloading formats and quality for you, choose one that you like. Click on Download again and you can save the video on your computer with ease.

Part 3. 2 Extra Ways to Download YouTube Videos Conveniently

Of course! There won't be just one way for you to choose how to download and convert your interest videos. Therefore, this blog decides to bring another two convenient ways for you to use VidPaw to download and convert videos.

Way 1. VidPaw Extension

The first simple and convenient way is to download and convert videos with VidPaw Extension. After you download and install VidPaw Extension on your browser, you can use this permanent and one-click method to save your time.

STEP 1. Download and Install Tampermonkey

Tampermonkey is the premise of downloading and installing VidPaw Extension. Without Tampermonkey, your browser will probably be in danger because Tampermonkey creates an external shield to protect your Internet environment. Therefore, your browser will act stably and instantly. Now select one version of Tampermonkey for your browser.

Google Chrome Tampermonkey
Mozilla Firefox Tampermonkey
Safari Tampermonkey
Microsoft Edge Tampermonkey

STEP 2. Download and Install VidPaw Extension

When you have Tampermonkey as your preparation, you can click here 'VidPaw Extension' to download VidPaw Extension.

STEP 3. Download the YouTube Video

After you get VidPaw Extension, please go to the video page on YouTube. When the page loads the video, you will see a newly appeared VidPaw icon under it. Tap the icon and you will be guided to the downloading list generated by VidPaw. From the downloading list, choose one quality and format to output. Click on Download and you can store the video on your computer.

Way 2. Adding Paw

The second simple and convenient way is to add something on the address of the YoutTube video and you can see the magic.

NOTE: This way is only applicable to downloading YouTube videos.

STEP 1. Please go to YouTube and search for the video that you would like to download. Choose the video with the performer that you want and enter into the video page.

STEP 2. Slightly tap the address and add 'paw' after 'youtube' on the address. Press Enter on Windows or Return on Mac.
STEP 3. What will happen next is that the page will automatically load a new page of VidPaw. Here is the downloading list and please choose your preferred one. Tap Download and the video will be saved to your local file.

Here are the complete steps of using VidPaw to download videos (YouTube videos as example). After you read the steps, roll up to try it step by step! Once you master how to use it, you can start to download more and more videos in the future for offline playback. How cool it is and enjoy your time!