Any app that can both play and download YouTube videos? The VLC media player can meet your requirement. As a free and almighty media player, VLC allows you to play YouTube videos as well as download videos with great ease.
Part I. Play YouTube videos with VLC
Step 1. Launch the VLC media player
Download and run VLC media player on PC. On the main UI, click “Media” and “Open Network Stream…” to switch to “Open Media” interface. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + N” to get to the “Open Media” interface.
Step 2. Enter YouTube video URL
Under “Network” option on “Open Media” interface, copy a YouTube video URL and enter/paste it to the box under the indication “Please enter a network URL.” And then click the dropdown list on bottom right corner to choose “Play.” Now you can enjoy the YouTube video with VLC media player.
Part II. Play YouTube Playlists with VLC
Step 1. Install YouTube playlists
Download and install the plugin YouTube playlists which allows your VLC to play a full and entire YouTube playlist. It is a .lua file and move it to VLC installation folder as follows:
* Windows (all users): %ProgramFiles%\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\playlist\
* Windows (current user): %APPDATA%\vlc\lua\playlist\
* Linux (all users): /usr/lib/vlc/lua/playlist/
* Linux (current user): ~/.local/share/vlc/lua/playlist/
* Mac OS X (all users): /Applications/VLC.app/Contents/MacOS/share/lua/playlist/
Step 2. Play YouTube playlist
Playing YouTube playlists is same as playing YouTube videos. Just paste a YouTube playlist link to VLC network URL box by following “Media” ＞ “Open Network Stream…”＞ copy and paste YouTube link to VLC URL box ＞ click “Play.”
Part III. Download YouTube videos using VLC
Since we have knows about how to play both YouTube videos and playlists with VLC media players, some people may prefer to download YouTube videos for future enjoyment and an extra YouTube video downloader is quite troublesome. How to make the VLC media player a YouTube downloader?
Step 1. Play YouTube video you want to download with VLC
Play YouTube video you want to download with VLC according to the above-mentioned steps. As soon as you click the “Play” button, the VLC player will automatically start streaming and playing the YouTube video.
Step 2. Get YouTube video download URL
After playing the YouTube video you want to download, click “Tools” and “Codec Information” on main UI.
Step 3. Save the YouTube video
Once you clicking “Codec Information” option, you’ll get to the “Current Media Information” interface where you’ll find the YouTube video download link in “Location” box and copy it for later use.
Step 4. Paste the link to a web browser
Open your web browser and paste the above copied link to the address bar. Then press “Enter.” Your web browser will automatically stream and play the YouTube video clip. Right-click on anywhere of the web browser where you’re playing the YouTube video you want to download and choose “Save Video As…” and press “Enter.”
Step 5. Start downloading the YouTube video
After finishing the above steps, your web browser will start downloading the YouTube video.
Further Reading:
Best Tips for YouTube Player
How to Repeat YouTube Videos?
Embed a YouTube Playlist on Blog/Webpage
Top 10 Fastest & Easiest YouTube Downloaders for Windows/Mac
Tips for Playing YouTube Videos on TV
How to Improve Your YouTube Viewing Experience on iOS Devices?