youtube-dl is a small command-line program to download videos from YouTube.com. It requires the Python interpreter, version 2.x (x being at least 4), and it's not platform specific. It should work in your Unix box, in Windows or in Mac OS X.

Install & using

1. install youtube-dl

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install youtube-dl

2. use this command to download files from YouTube

youtube-dl -o [name of output file] [YouTube URL]

3. To view all options youtube-dl, paste this in command line

man youtube-dl

To quit from manual press q key

Examples

1. Download classic flv type and save it as file.flv

youtube-dl -o file.flv "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y54ABqSOScQ"

2. Download Full HD mp4 file and save it as file.mp4

youtube-dl -o file.mp4 -f 37 "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y54ABqSOScQ"

This table from Wikipedia may be useful

Comparison of YouTube media types

youtube-dl: http://bitbucket.org/rg3/youtube-dl/wiki/Home

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