How to use yt-dlp to download video or audio from YouTube, directly from your Mac

Whenever I need to download video/audio from Youtube, I just google search "download video from youtube", and randomly pick one result from the first page. Until today, I come across a 'thing', called yt-dlp. It can easily let me download any thing from Youtube, fast.

1. What is yt-dlp:

• I don't know exactly, but it can let me directly: Downloads videos, audio, subtitles, or metadata from websites like YouTube.

• Why Use It?: Faster and more reliable than web-based downloaders, with precise control (e.g., audio-only, specific formats). It’s command-line but easy to learn for my Mac.

• Learn more at: https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp

2. Prerequisites for Mac

Before using yt-dlp, ensure these are installed:

• Homebrew (package manager):
  

            /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)

• If already installed, update:

        brew update


• FFmpeg (for audio extraction and format conversion):

            brew install ffmpeg

• Verify:

        ffmpeg -version

• Python 3.9+ :
  
• Check:

        python3 --version


• If not, ensure Python 3.11 is installed via Homebrew:

        brew install python@3.11

• Installing yt-dlp on Your Mac:
  
• Install yt-dlp:

            pip3 install yt-dlp


• Verify:

                    yt-dlp --version

3. Core yt-dlp Functions

1. Download Audio Only

• Command:
  
  

  yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "YOUTUBE_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s.%(ext)s"

  • -x: Extracts audio only.
  • --audio-format mp3: Converts to MP3 (requires FFmpeg).
  • -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s.%(ext)s": Saves to ~/whisper_project with the video’s title (e.g., MKBHD Review.mp3).
  • Replace YOUTUBE_URL with the video link (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID).
• Example:
  
  

  yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRV0G6qWgw" -o audio.mp3

  • Downloads audio as audio.mp3 in current directory.
• Tip: Use --audio-quality 0 for the best quality (e.g., ~256kbps MP3 equivalent to YouTube’s 160kbps Opus).
  
  

  yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 --audio-quality 0 "YOUTUBE_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s.%(ext)s"

2. Download Video (For Screenshots or Full Content)

• Command:

       yt-dlp -f "bv*[height<=1080]+ba" "YOUTUBE_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s.%(ext)s"

• -f "bv*[height<=1080]+ba": Downloads the best video up to 1080p with the best audio.
• Saves as MP4 (e.g., MKBHD.mp4).

• Example:
  
  

  yt-dlp -f "bv*[height<=1080]+ba" "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRV0G6qWgw" -o "~/whisper_project/MKBHD.mp4"

• Tip: Use -F to see available formats first:
  
  

  yt-dlp -F "YOUTUBE_URL"

  • Lists formats (e.g., 137: 1080p, 140: audio). Pick one with -f if needed.

3. Download Subtitles (If Available).

• Command:

  yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --sub-format srt --skip-download "YOUTUBE_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s"

  • --write-auto-sub: Downloads auto-generated subtitles (if available).
  • --sub-format srt: Saves as SRT (compatible with Whisper’s output).
  • --skip-download: Skips video/audio, only gets subtitles.
  • Saves as Video Title.en.srt (English subtitles).
• Example:

  yt-dlp --write-auto-sub --sub-format srt --skip-download "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRV0G6qWgw" -o Title.srt

• Tip: Check subtitle availability:
  
  

  yt-dlp --list-subs "YOUTUBE_URL"

  • If none, use Whisper to generate them.

4. Download Playlists (For Batch Processing)

• Command:
  
  

  yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 --yes-playlist "PLAYLIST_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(playlist_index)s_%(title)s.%(ext)s"

  • --yes-playlist: Downloads all videos in the playlist.
  • -o: Names files with index (e.g., 1_MKBHD Review.mp3, 2_Tech Review.mp3).
• Example:
  
  

  yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 --yes-playlist "https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu4wnki9NI_8VmJ7Qz_byhKwCquXcy6u9" -o "~/whisper_project/%(playlist_index)s_%(title)s.%(ext)s"

  • Downloads all playlist audio files.
• Tip: Limit playlist items:

yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 --playlist-items 1,3-5 "PLAYLIST_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(playlist_index)s_%(title)s.%(ext)s"

• Downloads only videos 1, 3, 4, and 5.

5. Download Specific Video Sections (For Short Clips)

• Why: If you only need a segment (e.g., a 2-minute Switch 2 demo for subtitles), save time and bandwidth.
• Command:
  
  

  yt-dlp --download-sections "*10:00-12:00" -x --audio-format mp3 "YOUTUBE_URL" -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s_clip.%(ext)s"

  • --download-sections "*10:00-12:00": Downloads from 10:00 to 12:00.
  • Saves as Video Title_clip.mp3.
• Example:
  yt-dlp --download-sections "*10:00-12:00" -x --audio-format mp3 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjRV0G6qWgw" -o "~/whisper_project/%(title)s_clip.%(ext)s"
  • Gets a 2-minute audio clip for Whisper.
• Tip: Requires FFmpeg. Use for fair use quotes (e.g., short article excerpts).