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Downloading a YouTube Video to Your Computer

keepvid
When an Internet connection is not available for accessing YouTube, you still can use the video by downloading it to your computer beforehand and showing it directly from your local hard disc drive. A local copy of a YouTube video is also useful for editing and/or integrating with other applications. We present two methods for downloading this local copy. Method 1 supports many conversion formats, but it has more steps. Method 2 has fewer steps, but it supports only two conversion formats.
Copyright restrictions: Be sure to check any copyright restriction for YouTube’s user-provided content, which can vary by individual item (see YouTube Terms and Privacy Policy). If you have any questions, consult with BYU’s Intellectual Property Services.

Method 1

Step One: Select the YouTube video.
Find the desired video on YouTube and copy its URL.
Step Two: Use Zamzar.com

  1. Open up your browser and go to Zamzar.com.
  2. Select the “URL” link located in “Step 1” under the Convert Files tab.
  3. Copy the YouTube video URL into “Step 1” space provided under the Download Videos tab (the box that is partially filled with “http://”) .
  4. Select the video conversion format in “Step 2” under the Download Videos tab (.mov for Mac, .wmv for Windows).
  5. Enter your email address in “Step 3” under the Download Videos tab.
  6. Select the Convert button in “Step 4” under the Download Videos tab and “OK” in the popup window.
  7. Wait for the conversion and mailing to complete. The YouTube video will be sent to your email address.

Step Three: Access Your Video.
Access the message from Zamzar.com on your email account, follow the download link, and save the video file to the desired location on your local computer.

Method 2

Step One: Select the YouTube video.
Find the desired video on YouTube and copy its URL.
Step Two: Use KeepVid.com

  1. Open up your browser and go to KeepVid.com
  2. Paste the YouTube URL into the URL field and select the “DOWNLOAD” button (above the large Download, Convert, and Play icons).
  3. A green “Download links” bar should appear (below the large Download, Convert, and Play icons). Occasionally, there will be a message in this area to refresh the webpage (F5) for the download links to appear.
  4. There are two download links: low (flv) and high (mp4) quality. Select the download link that matches your desired quality and/or format.
  5. Save the video file to the desired location on your local computer.

Watch for more Tech Tips about YouTube …

  • Sending Students to YouTube without all the Clutter
  • Showing a YouTube Video in a PowerPoint Presentation