Download High-Res YouTube Videos in MP4 format

Lately, YouTube has been offering videos in two resolutions – normal and high quality. While the normal resolution videos are encoded in flash .flv format, the higher resolution videos are encoded in MP4 format. We’ve seen enough tools like DownloadHelper, which saves YouTube videos in .flv format. Now, if you want to download high quality YouTube videos in MP4 format, there are two methods:

The first method is a browser bookmarklet, which can be added into your bookmarks toolbar. Drag and drop this link into your bookmark or links toolbar (Firefox, Opera) or right-click the link and add it to your favorites (IE). Some people find Bookmarklet to be a little annoying to use, if that’s the case then skip down to the next method.

The second method involves a Greasemonkey script (install now). The script automatically adds the "Download as MP4" link under the video information box on the right side of the video page. Just right click that link and select "Save As" from the right-click context menu. Remember, you’ll need to add .mp4 extension to the filename manually.

youtube-download

iPods and some new mobile phones (including N95) support MP4 video format. This means you no longer have to reformat YouTube videos to fill them in your iPod. Of course, the above mentioned trick violates YouTube’s Terms of Service, but the same file is stored in your browser cache when you watch that video. Technically, watching the video on YouTube and downloading it to your computer does the same thing. ;)

[Via: GoogleOS]

This post was published by on April 15, 2008

About the Author: Thilak Rao works as a Social Media Expert. He is one of the first professional bloggers from India, and he loves to write, travel and click photos. Follow him on Twitter @thilak

  • http://www.gadgets4nowt.co.uk Wii

    The Sony PSP also supports MP4 so this is welcome addition, thanks to Greasemonkey. Well worth the download.

  • http://www.seoresults.co.za SEO Man

    Great tip, thanks for that! A pet hate is how to deal with these streaming videos that eats bandwidth and can’t be saved. Am glad they’re going for MP4 format, it standardises things a bit.

  • http://green-flamingo.com Nathaniel

    I do keep seeing the option of watching videos in high quality resolution. I’ll have to try it out!

  • http://watchorkeep.com Watchorkeep

    Try Watchorkeep.com where you can even download metacafe videos !

  • http://green-flamingo.com/ Nathaniel

    I do keep seeing the option of watching videos in high quality resolution. I'll have to try it out!