"A Stitch In Time, Saves Nine": A Viable Working VLC Alternative That Is Up & Running...
If this very same VLC alternative has been previously posted somewhere on the forums, please forgive me. "To err is human, to forgive is divine."
Please allow me to preface this Viable Working VLC Alternative solution, by saying in all humility and honesty, if I can download YouTube videos with this "Little Gem" anyone and everyone on this forum can do it.
Here we go...
Recently a YouTube Video was posted June 19, 2024, titled, How To Run Yt-Dlp on Windows, which is
4 minutes and 8 seconds in length, that shows how to download YouTube videos easily and efficiently, at no cost, no daily limits, no trial period, that involves the following basic procedure:
1. Download two simple files, from two different websites. The links are in the Video Description.
2. Creating a new folder on your Windows desktop.
3. Placing both simple files (.exe) in the new folder.
4. Naming the folder "yt-dlp" (without the quotes).
5. Creating a path, any path you want, to any drive (C or D or E or...) you want, and placing the "yt-dlp" folder at the end of the path.
Today, Thursday, August 29, 2024, I watched the YouTube video, followed the instructions presented in the video, and EUREKA!!!! The world is beautiful again, because I am downloading YouTube videos to my desktop computer, once again, like I did with VLC, since the dinosaurs were roaming the earth.
There are a few caveats to remember that will eliminate any potential frustration during this process:
1. Make sure you copy the YouTube URL correctly there should be no "=" or "&" or other strange characters at the end of the YouTube URL.
2. IF the Windows cmd command prompt window is open, during the this process, make sure to close the cmd command prompt window, then re-open the cmd command prompt window and copy and post the YouTube video URL at the end of the path you created with the yt-dlp folder.
3. When you copy and past the YouTube video URL, on the path that you created, make sure to leave a space between the ytp-dlp and the "https" of the YouTube video URL. (as shown in the video).
4. As stated in the video at timemark 2:55, "yt-dlp is capable of copying content available in 1080 Enhance Bitrate which is a quality choice only available to YouTube Premium Users."
To put this "Little Gem" through the acid test, after I performed the above procedure, I downloaded the "Little Gem" itself, "How To Run Yt-Dlp on Windows" and the video dowloaded easily and efficiently, making the world beautiful again. The downloaded YouTube video plays identical, both the video and the audio, as the original YouTube video that was posted on YouTube. Verbatim!
As an added bonus, the downloaded YouTube video does play on the VLC player.
In the event that the venerable VLC will be returning in the very distant future, if at all, a heartfelt "Thank You" to the developers (some with a 20+ year run with VLC) and all the posters that contributed to the success of VLC, throughout the years.
Here is the link that will bring you blue skies and green lights, allowing you to download YouTube videos once again. IT WORKS!!!
Happy YouTube video downloading to all... and to all a good night!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzqCEsip77U
How To Run Yt-Dlp on Windows
BARA-TONE