How to Download and Use yt-dlp for High-Quality Video Downloads

yt-dlp is an advanced tool used for downloading videos from a wide range of online platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, and many others. It’s an alternative to youtube-dl with additional features and better support for modern websites. This guide will walk you through how to download, install, and use yt-dlp to download videos in the highest possible quality.

Step 1: Download yt-dlp

1. Visit the Official yt-dlp GitHub Page: Head over to the yt-dlp GitHub releases page to download the latest version for your system.

2. Download the Correct Version:
   • For Windows, download the .exe file from the “Assets” section.
   • For macOS and Linux, you can install yt-dlp via package managers or download the script directly.
3. Install yt-dlp:
   • On Windows, simply download the executable, and you’re ready to use it.
   • On macOS and Linux, you can install it via Homebrew or by running the following command in your terminal:

     brew install yt-dlp
     

   Alternatively, on any system, you can install it using pip:

   pip install -U yt-dlp
   

Step 2: Install ffmpeg for Video Quality

To get the best video quality, it’s highly recommended to install ffmpeg. yt-dlp uses ffmpeg to handle video processing, including merging separate video and audio streams, converting formats, and improving download quality.

1. Install ffmpeg on Windows:
   • Download it from ffmpeg.org or use a package manager like Chocolatey:

     choco install ffmpeg
     

2. Install ffmpeg on macOS: If you’re using Homebrew, simply run:

   brew install ffmpeg
   

3. Install ffmpeg on Linux: On Ubuntu/Debian:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install ffmpeg
   

Step 3: Basic Usage of yt-dlp

Once yt-dlp and ffmpeg are installed, you can start downloading videos. Here’s how to use yt-dlp:

1. Download a Video: Simply run the following command:

   yt-dlp <video_URL>
   

   This will download the video in the best available quality by default.

2. Select Video Quality: yt-dlp supports various formats and qualities. To download the highest quality video and audio available, use the following command:

   yt-dlp -f bestvideo+bestaudio <video_URL>
   

   This command downloads the best video and audio separately and merges them using ffmpeg.

3. View Available Formats: If you want to see all the available formats for a video, use the -F option:

   yt-dlp -F <video_URL>
   

   This will list all available video and audio formats along with their resolution and codec information. You can then select a specific format by using the format ID.

Step 4: Advanced Features of yt-dlp

yt-dlp offers a variety of advanced features that can make video downloading more flexible and efficient:

1. Download Playlists: To download entire playlists, just provide the playlist URL:

   yt-dlp <playlist_URL>
   

2. Download Specific Quality: If you want to download a specific quality (e.g., 720p), you can specify the format like so:

   yt-dlp -f 'bestvideo[height<=720]+bestaudio/best' <video_URL>
   

   This command downloads the best video with a resolution of 720p or lower and the best audio.

3. Download Videos as Audio Only: If you only need the audio (e.g., MP3), use:

   yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 <video_URL>
   

   This will extract the audio and convert it to MP3 format.

4. Custom Output Template: You can customize the file naming and output directory using the -o option:

   yt-dlp -o '~/Downloads/%(title)s.%(ext)s' <video_URL>
   

   This will save the video in your Downloads folder with the title of the video as the filename.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. Missing ffmpeg: If you see the warning “ffmpeg not found”, make sure ffmpeg is installed correctly and added to your system’s PATH.

2. Video Not Downloading: yt-dlp may sometimes fail to download videos from certain websites. If this happens, make sure you are using the latest version of yt-dlp by updating it:

   yt-dlp -U
   

Conclusion

With yt-dlp, you have a powerful, flexible tool for downloading videos in the best quality possible. Whether you’re downloading from YouTube, Vimeo, or any other supported platform, yt-dlp allows you to select video quality, convert formats, and manage your downloads with ease. Don’t forget to regularly update yt-dlp and ffmpeg to stay up-to-date with the latest features and fixes.

Happy downloading!