A while back I was told about the Firefox extention UnPlug that allows one to download Youtube videos to his own computer. It seems to work fine but I can't play the files, they are .flv, on either Real Player or Window Media Player.
Do I need to download something else? Is there a way to convert it to a playable file type?
if you search for flv converter you'll probably find a piece of software for that, but in the future you should use something like vixy which will download the video from youtube and convert it to a useable format - here's the website:
I like the vixy thing and particularly its ability to convert from flv to mp3 - it's quite often nice to have an mp3 of YouTube videos, which gives you more options for enjoying the audio on the move. Converting flv to mp3 is otherwise a real chore!
..ooer...on second thoughts, don't use Vixy to convert to mp3...just realised it does REALLY weird things to the pitch and makes it wobble all over the place. But the video conversion works OK.
I use the Keep It! site: http://keepvid.com. Once I download the video, I rename it with .flv, and play it by dragging to my VLC player. This is on a mac- not sure if that makes a difference to you.
If you use the Firefox browser (download and install it if you don't--great browser!), there's an add-on called DownloadHelper that works great for grabbing YouTube vids as FLVs (Flash video):
I'm not sure about PC FLV to MPEG converters but there must be a bunch to choose from.
Once I convert the downloaded FLV to an MPEG video format with iSquint I can then extract the sound (I use Quicktime Pro) and convert it to an MP3. I then store the video and MP3 on iTunes.
You really don't need to convert flv files - they can be played very well by Media Player Classic or GOM Player - probably others too as mentioned above (though I though FLVPlayer was pretty poor). they take up less space as flv too.
I use Opera as a browser, and just grab the temp files from cache, then name them from youtube with the flv extension. No other program or add-on needed. There is also a brilliant tiny program called FLVextract which will grab an mp3 of the audio from an flv file which I can then use for practice/mp3 player/Amazing SlowDowner type stuff.
Thanks everybody for all your help and advice! I appreciate it very much. It looks like there is enough here to get me up and running in no time!
Tyler
This is the easiest way IMO. Go to Zamzar.com, download their plugin. When you are on any site with a video simply click "convert with zamzar", this brings you straight to their site with all the details filled in, you simply select what format you want the file (theres dozens including mp3) and enter your email address. They then mail you back with a link to download your converted file. I've used different formats depending on what I wanted the videos for, for example plain old mpg that'll play on most dvd players.
Youtube videos - Please Help
Youtube videos - Please Help
A while back I was told about the Firefox extention UnPlug that allows one to download Youtube videos to his own computer. It seems to work fine but I can't play the files, they are .flv, on either Real Player or Window Media Player.
Do I need to download something else? Is there a way to convert it to a playable file type?
Please somebody help me fix my problem!
Thanks in advance,
Tyler
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by Tyler
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
if you search for flv converter you'll probably find a piece of software for that, but in the future you should use something like vixy which will download the video from youtube and convert it to a useable format - here's the website:
http://vixy.net/
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by airport
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
not really "should" mind you, just a suggestion
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by airport
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
Hi all,
To play flv videos direct without converting them, FLVPlayer is a goody at http://www.download.com/FLV-Player/3000-2139_4-10467081.html
I like the vixy thing and particularly its ability to convert from flv to mp3 - it's quite often nice to have an mp3 of YouTube videos, which gives you more options for enjoying the audio on the move. Converting flv to mp3 is otherwise a real chore!
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by Mark Harmer
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
..ooer...on second thoughts, don't use Vixy to convert to mp3...just realised it does REALLY weird things to the pitch and makes it wobble all over the place. But the video conversion works OK.
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by Mark Harmer
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
thanks for the tip about mp3s - I hadn't tried that, but the ipod movies work well.
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by airport
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
I use the Keep It! site: http://keepvid.com. Once I download the video, I rename it with .flv, and play it by dragging to my VLC player. This is on a mac- not sure if that makes a difference to you.
# Posted on June 4th 2008 by fiddlercjp
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
If you use the Firefox browser (download and install it if you don't--great browser!), there's an add-on called DownloadHelper that works great for grabbing YouTube vids as FLVs (Flash video):
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006
There are a number of FLV converters. I use a Mac at home so my converter of choice is iSquint:
http://www.isquint.org/
I'm not sure about PC FLV to MPEG converters but there must be a bunch to choose from.
Once I convert the downloaded FLV to an MPEG video format with iSquint I can then extract the sound (I use Quicktime Pro) and convert it to an MP3. I then store the video and MP3 on iTunes.
All for free, except Quicktime Pro.
# Posted on June 5th 2008 by gw
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
You really don't need to convert flv files - they can be played very well by Media Player Classic or GOM Player - probably others too as mentioned above (though I though FLVPlayer was pretty poor). they take up less space as flv too.
I use Opera as a browser, and just grab the temp files from cache, then name them from youtube with the flv extension. No other program or add-on needed. There is also a brilliant tiny program called FLVextract which will grab an mp3 of the audio from an flv file which I can then use for practice/mp3 player/Amazing SlowDowner type stuff.
# Posted on June 5th 2008 by Mairtin Lom
Google is your friend
Just Google those various progs I mentioned if you're interested. Media Player Classic is particularly great at handling most filetypes very well.
# Posted on June 5th 2008 by Mairtin Lom
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
Thanks everybody for all your help and advice! I appreciate it very much. It looks like there is enough here to get me up and running in no time!
Tyler
# Posted on June 5th 2008 by Tyler
Re: Youtube videos - Please Help
This is the easiest way IMO. Go to Zamzar.com, download their plugin. When you are on any site with a video simply click "convert with zamzar", this brings you straight to their site with all the details filled in, you simply select what format you want the file (theres dozens including mp3) and enter your email address. They then mail you back with a link to download your converted file. I've used different formats depending on what I wanted the videos for, for example plain old mpg that'll play on most dvd players.
# Posted on June 8th 2008 by blaydo