EZ - 4 Free Ways To Download & Convert YouTube Videos

More Info & Links

In this video we run you through 4 different methods of downloading a YouTube video and convert it to another file type (.mov in this case).

4 Methods
1. Convert online and download already converted file
2. Download the YouTube .flv (flash video) file then convert it
3. Use the FireFox Add-On 'Video DownloadHelper' to download .flv and convert it
4. (old school) Just watch any YouTube video and grab the file out of your temporary internet folder and convert it


1. Convert online using http://vixy.net and http://convertyoutube.com (as you'll see, vixy.net didn't want to play nice. It does work and is the most popular online convert and download site. So popular it is having trouble handling the load). This is perhaps the easiest way and doesn't require you to download any software, although both sites also do have a software version that makes this process more reliable. Other online conversion sites are:
http://www.convertdirect.com/
http://media-convert.com/
http://www.zamzar.com/ (this one will email you the converted file)

2. Use a YouTube flv (flash video) download site and convert it with WinFF video converter (free software http://www.winff.org/ )
YouTube flv (flash video) download sites
http://keepvid.com/ (I like this one)
http://www.videodl.org/
http://youtubia.com/
http://www.techcrunch.com/get-youtube-movie/

3. Use the FireFox add-on Video DownloadHelper to download the .flv file and convert it with WinFF.
Video DownloadHelper 3.0.2
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006

4. Just watch the YouTube in Internet Explorer and then grab the .flv (flash video) file from your temporary internet folder then convert it with WinFF.
WinFF video converter (freeware) converts flv, wmv, avi, mov, etc
http://www.winff.org/

To play YouTube's flv files on your computer:

VLC media player (Freeware) flv (plays just about every video file type)
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
"VLC Media Player, play everything anywhere"
http://www.benh.org/techblog/2007/07/vlc-media-player-play-everything-anywhere/


**** There is also the RealPlayer option which will allow downloading of videos right from the browser. That will work too BUT I would NEVER have RealPlayer on my computer ...

RealPlayer is "badware" (ie: spyware-lite)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=realplayer+is+badware&btnG=Googl...

I hope this helps you.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• YouTube
• download
• convert
• video
• WinFF
• wmv
• flv
• flash
• mov
• online
• free
• how-to
• Guide
• step
• by
• tutorial
• howtotutorial

[howtotutorial]

The FireFox addon 'Video DownloadHelpr' is by far the best method. It works on the most sites and if you know how you can download YouTube's higher quality video instead of the flv flash video with it (see my other videos for how). None of the other methods will do that

[howtotutorial]

Yes it's all free. Hence 'Free' in the title.

Zamzar is the only one of all the methods I linked in the (more info) section that I haven't used but it is popular. I prefer not to have to give out my email though and imho it's quality can't be very good on longer videos or else the file would be too big to email.

[juniorking846]

how long does it take to finsh converting

[howtotutorial]

That depends on how large the input file is and the output format and how fast your computer is. A 2 hr dvd to mp4 or wmv could take an hr or more on a fairly fast machine if you didn't click 'options' and change anything (winFF will convert to the same - or nearest to the same - settings as the input file by default). The same 2hr dvd could take about a half hour converting to a bit rate of 400 and a 640x480 video size.

[howtotutorial]

A ten minute YouTube video to wmv/mov should only take a minute or two by default. Converting to something like AVI format would take longer.

[jerrydeancruz]

You made my day....thanks First Vid I converted was yours!!!

[HighTuneSinger]

Thanks for the tips... also...

It works great if you use "zillatube" :---)

Downloads from YouTube... at fast speed, and it also helps you play them. (and also convert them) e.g. convert to mp4 or mp3 for ipod/itunes, mp3 player, mpg for windows movie maker editing/windows media player, powerpoint presentation, USB flash drive, handphone, and more)

just google search for "zillatube", and select the first search result for download...

[toogawnjawn]

I have had a major mind fart when it comes to a reliable video converter, I am attempting to take a shot as a long term hobby, I got a channel set up even though I have had to reloaded several times. I was using the freemake converter, but the system quit working with a host of problems. I tried other options like Cnet for one and they are so invasive adding on a multitude of unwanted programs that leave me voulnerable that corrupts the PC. Need a relable compatable long term solution.

[weilungwu]

You can also download by just adding the word 'want' in front of the "youtube" in the URL of the YouTube video page. It's easy and free....

(such as: '....ww.youtube.....' to '...ww.wantyoutube...')

[116randomness]

use Any Video Converter

[omnipotentJIMM]

THANKYOU !

[MachineGunDill]

how do u knw tht there are no viruses in this?

[raychellewade]

hey good video

[iamlemony]

the first one is not FREE.