How to Capture YouTube Video
YouTube hosts an extensive array of informative tutorials, entertaining videos, and valuable resources. If you're looking for a way to keep your beloved videos, then knowing how to capture YouTube videos is a necessity.
Record videos from YouTube to save and watch them at any time, without relying on an internet connection. You can use the content for various purposes such as making educational materials, creating compilations, or just enjoying them offline.
This article will show you 8 options for capturing YouTube videos.
Selection Criteria
We wanted to find out which video recording option works best for capturing high-quality videos without any issues. So, we tested a few tools and methods to see how they work and which one provides the best results.
Here are some essential screen recording software selection criteria we considered when choosing how to capture a YouTube video:
- Recording quality. The video recorder you choose should be able to record high-quality video and audio.
- Ease of use. The tool you pick should be easy to use, even for beginners. It should have a simple interface that allows you to start and stop recording with ease.
- Compatibility. Your program should be compatible with your operating system. The software should work equally well on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.
- Price. The video recording software you choose should be affordable and within your budget. You should also look for software that offers good value for money and has a range of pricing options to choose from.
We surveyed popular screen capture methods available today. Then we evaluated their features and functionality. To verify the user experience, we also tested the programs ourselves.
Finally, we summarized our findings in the table below:
| Application | Access | Quality Loss | OS | Price | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Icecream Screen Recorder |
No
|
Windows
|
Free
|
5.0 | |
| Xbox Game Bar |
No
|
Windows
|
Free
|
4.8 | |
| Snipping Tool |
Yes
|
Windows
|
Free
|
4.2 | |
| OBS Studio |
No
|
Windows
MacOS
|
Free
|
4.0 | |
| PowerPoint |
Yes
|
Windows
MacOS
|
$159.99
|
3.8 | |
| QuickTime Player |
Yes
|
MacOS
|
Free
|
3.5 | |
| Vmaker |
No
|
Online
|
Free with limitations
|
3.5 | |
| Mobile Phone Camera |
Yes
|
Android
iOS
|
Free
|
2.0 |
Method 1. Icecream Screen Recorder
YouTube is the first place to go when you want to find some media content. If you don’t have a YouTube downloader installed on your computer or want a shorter version of a certain video without editing it, you can record a YouTube video with Icecream Screen Recorder, i.e. record it directly from your screen.
Here's a tutorial on capturing video from YouTube:
- Download the screen recording software for Windows and install it on your computer.
- Open the Settings panel by clicking the "Settings" button. Tweak the needed audio and video settings.
- Prepare to capture a YouTube video. Open the YouTube video and click "Capture video" to open the menu with the recording modes. We recommend using the "Area auto detection" recording mode for easy selection of the borders of a YouTube video to be recorded.
- Hover your mouse over the selected YouTube video and let the screen recorder automatically select the recording space.
- When the right field is selected, hit the orange logo or the F1 button to apply the video recording frames.
- There is a "Draw" button on the screen recording panel – feel free to use it if you want. Particularly, you can opt for brush tools like oval, rectangle, arrow, step tool, or text. The "Undo" and "Clear all" buttons are located on the right-hand side of the window.
- Once it’s all set, click the "Rec" icon to record the YouTube video right away. The video will start with the countdown in case the "Show countdown" is enabled. And then the actual recording will be started.
- If you want to rewind or forward the YouTube video or skip a certain part, you can halt the screen capture process by clicking the "Pause" icon. To start the screen capture process over again, hit the "Resume" button and the video will be recorded again from the moment it was stopped.
- When a YouTube video reaches its end, press "Stop".
After that, you’ll see a popup notification in the bottom right corner of the screen (unless you disabled the "Show notifications" option in the Settings). Tap the folder icon in this window to open the file. Or, close the panel and click on the folder in the "Path" section of the app's "History".
Advantages of Screen Recorder for YT:
- Annotate during screen recording.
- Free cloud storage for the uploaded videos.
- Allows you to add your own watermark.
- Integrated video editor.
- Easy to use free screen recorder.
- Adjustable preferences for recording quality, resolution, video format, etc.
- Time-controlled screen capture possible.
- Screen capture software designed to work with all major Windows OS including Windows 10/11.
- Ability to record webcam together with the screen.
Method 2. Xbox Game Bar
Windows 11 and 10 users can take advantage of the Xbox Game Bar to capture YouTube video. This application allows you to record your screen, as well as capture audio from a microphone or system sound. Here's how to use it:
- Launch the Xbox Game Bar on your PC. If you want to do this while you are watching a video in full screen, press Windows Logo+G on your keyboard.
- You can turn on external sounds and adjust the system ones.
- Then press "Start recording" to begin the screen capture.
- A video will be recorded from your screen in the Game Bar. To stop video recording, hit Win+Alt+R.
- Your video is saved in a folder named "Captures" in File Explorer.
Screen recording YouTube videos can be an awesome way to share your favorite moments with friends or save them for yourself. There are plenty of ways to do this, including using the Game Bar. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of employing this screen recorder.
Pros:
- Software is effortless to operate and provides an intuitive interface for recording your screen in HD.
- This recording option comes included with Windows 10, so there is no extra cost.
- The recordings made with the Game Bar are of high quality and look great on YouTube or other streaming platforms.
Cons:
- Video recorder does not offer as many features, such as audio control or video editing.
- Only works on Windows computers, not on Apple or Android devices.
- Once recorded, you cannot export the video from the Game Bar directly to other platforms.
Method 3. Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool is an effective tool for snipping out specific parts of a YouTube video. It provides users with the ability to screen record YouTube videos, add annotations, and save the image or video as an MP4 file for later use. How to record a YouTube video with it:
- Launch the YouTube video you intend to capture in your browser.
- Select the "Snipping Tool" from the Start Menu or press Windows Key + S.
- Click Camera. Then tap the "New" button to select the screen recording option. Alternatively, you can also press Ctrl + N. Draw your desired region on your screen by dragging your mouse around the slider.
- Once you have drawn your region, click the "Start" button.
- After the YouTube video is finished click "Stop".
Employing Snipping Tool provides a perfect resource for recording your screen with a YouTube video without delay. This screen capture software is simple to use and can be an invaluable tool in any content creator's toolkit!
Pros:
- Quick and straightforward screen recorder.
- Can capture screenshots in different formats.
- Lightweight and consumes minimal system resources.
Cons:
- Limited tools for advanced YouTube video editing.
- Poor quality output when capturing fullscreen YouTube videos.
- Restricted customization options for screen capture.
Method 4. OBS Studio
Utilizing OBS Studio to capture the entire screen is a well-known technique for recording YouTube videos. It has a plethora of features and tools that make it the perfect way to capture YouTube videos.
- To begin, download OBS from the site. Then do the installation on your PC. Launch the program once installed.
- In the Sources box, tap + to specify the settings. Press the "Display Capture" button. Enter the data and hit "OK".
- Decide which method of display and capture you want to use. Select "OK".
- Go to "Settings". Select the recording path by clicking "Browse".
- When all of your sources have been added, click on the "Start Recording" button.
- Click "Stop Recording" to finish capturing the video.
Pros:
- Setting up is quick and easy. It can be done in just a few minutes, allowing users to begin recording their YouTube videos rapidly.
- Offers a wide range of instruments. Screen recorder has options for recording audio, video, and more, as well as built-in video editing tools.
- Provides highly customizable, permitting users to tailor their recordings to their individual needs. This enables the creation of unique recordings that stand out from others on YouTube.
Cons:
- While the basic version is free, the Pro video recorder comes with additional features that can add up quickly in terms of cost.
- Can be quite complex to use for some users who may not have experience with video recording or editing software. This could lead to some frustration when trying to get started with capturing video from YouTube.
- Works only on Windows and Mac OS X, making it impossible for users with other operating systems to use this program.
Method 5. PowerPoint
If you want to capture YouTube videos, PowerPoint is an easy and no-charge screen recording option for Windows computers. The best thing about utilizing PowerPoint is that it's free and straightforward. It also allows you to record in high quality with minimal lag time. Here's how:
- In PowerPoint, open a new presentation and add the slides.
- Go to the slide that you would like to add the video.
- From the Insert tab, use the Screen Recording command. This will open a Control Doc.
- Choose "Select Area" or press Win+Shift+A.
- When all selections have been made, click "Record" to start capturing the YouTube video to the PC.
- Stop recording by pressing Win+Shift+Q.
- The program will automatically save the video as part of the presentation. You can remove it by right-clicking on the video and selecting "Save Media As".
Pros:
- Recording your screen with PowerPoint is straightforward and fast.
- You can capture almost any type of screen content with PowerPoint.
Cons:
- The video editing options in PowerPoint are quite limited.
- If you want high-quality audio, you'll have to use an external microphone.
- You must employ a separate program if you want to stream the recording.
Method 6. QuickTime Player
For an easy way to watch YouTube videos on your Mac, you can use QuickTime Player. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with screen capture:
- Launch Player.
- Go to "File" > "New Screen Recording".
- Press the "Record button" at the bottom of the window.
- Select the screen area you wish to capture. Click the "Start Recording" button.
- When finished video recording, hit the "Stop" button in the menu bar.
- Give your recording a name and choose where you want to save it.
To view the YouTube screen recording, simply double-click it in Recent and it will open in QuickTime automatically.
Pros:
- Free screen recorder is built into all Macs, so there's no need to download extra software.
- You can select which part of your screen you desire to document, including a specific window or the entire desktop.
- You can also select whether or not to include sound in the recording.
Cons:
- Capturing YouTube videos with QuickTime can take up a lot of space on your hard drive if you're recording lengthy videos.
- You can only gather audio from internal sources - it isn't feasible to capture sound from external microphones or other devices connected to your Mac.
Method 7. Vmaker
Vmaker is a screen recording and video creation platform. It has a dedicated YouTube screen recorder that can be used via a browser extension.
- Go to the website and hit "Record YouTube Videos Now" on the main page. Sign up for an account.
- Press "Record Video". Install the browser extension.
- Select the capture settings. Pick the "Screen" mode and the "Current Tab" option. Turn off your webcam (unless you need it).
- Now, hit the "Start Recording" button. Choose the YouTube tab and proceed with "Share".
- To end the capture, press the red button. You'll be redirected to the page with your video, saved on the Vmaker's cloud.
Pros:
- You can record an unlimited number of YouTube videos without any cost.
- Minimal setup time required, allowing users to start recording quickly.
- Supports HD resolution, ensuring that the clips turn out looking good.
- Recordings are stored in the cloud, making it easy to access and share them from any device.
Cons:
- The free version of the screen recorder has a limit of 7 minutes per video.
- Without paid access, users are not able to capture the system sound, meaning your YouTube recordings will be muted.
- Downloading the video to your device is also not possible without the PRO account, only sharing and viewing in the cloud.
Method 8. Mobile Phone Camera
Employing a mobile phone camera as a screen recorder for YouTube videos is simple and effective. Here are the steps to do it:
- Open YouTube.
- Search for the video you want to capture.
- Play the video and position the phone's camera in front of it, making sure that the entire screen is visible in the viewfinder.
- Press "Record" to begin recording the video.
- Once you have finished, stop recording and save the captured video onto your device.
- You can then edit, share, or upload the video as you wish.
Making use of a phone camera for recording YouTube videos is speedy, effortless, and advantageous. But before you start recording, it's important to consider the pros and cons of this method.
Pros:
- Capturing video from YouTube through a mobile phone camera takes a short amount of time to prepare. All you need is your phone and a stable internet connection.
- As long as you have a working phone, no additional equipment or costs are required.
- Providing you have a phone, you can capture footage wherever you are.
Cons:
- Most phones don't have reliable microphones, so your audio may not sound as good as it would using higher quality equipment.
- Your recordings may be restricted by the storage space on your phone, meaning you might not possess the capacity to record longer videos.
- Recording YouTube videos with the phone will drain the battery more quickly than normal use.
- Captured videos are usually low quality due to the limitations of the phone camera
Reasons to Capture YouTube Videos
Utilizing screen recording tools for YouTube videos is a great way to capture and disseminate content with others. Here are a few reasons why you might want to screen record a YouTube video:
- You can save your favorite videos for later viewing without worrying about deletion.
- To create video lessons or tutorials by recording a specific part of the clip.
- To assemble a compilation of different parts of YouTube videos into one video.
- To share a certain moment of the video with others who don't have access to the full version.
- To capture a live stream or an event that may not be available for a long time.
- To make sure you have an offline copy of the video in case it gets taken down or removed from YouTube.
- To remix or edit video with other content for entertainment purposes.
Capturing video from YouTube can be incredibly useful and provide plenty of benefits. Whether you're looking to save a favorite video, create a tutorial, or just share a fun compilation, using a screen recorder is an easy way to do it!
Is it Illegal to Capture YouTube Video?
YouTube screen recording can be a practical way to capture content for personal use. However, it's important to understand the legal consequences of recording YouTube videos before you do it.
- The short answer is that it might not be illegal, anyhow, it is against YouTube's Terms of Service. This means that you could be banned from YouTube if you are caught screen recording videos without the permission of the owner.
- The long answer is more complicated and depends on a few factors. If you are recording videos for private use, such as making a tutorial or sharing with friends, it's likely to be considered "fair use" and not illegal. Yet, if you are taking someone else's work for commercial purposes, then this could be considered copyright infringement.
- In addition to copyright issues, there may also be privacy concerns when capturing YouTube videos. If the video contains personal information about someone else, such as an address or phone number, then you may be violating their privacy rights.
- Finally, many creators have started using specialized software to detect when their videos are being recorded without their permission. If this happens, they may take legal action against you for copyright infringement or other issues.
It is imperative that you are aware of the potential hazards before engaging in this activity. It's better to get permission from the creator first and make sure that any private information in the video is not being shared without their consent.
FAQ
- What would be the optimal method to save YouTube videos?
- The format for capturing YouTube videos depends on your intended use for the video. If you plan on sharing it on social media, MP4 is typically the best choice as most platforms support this format. For other uses, such as editing or archiving, AVI may be a better option due to its higher quality and larger file size.
- Can I capture a stream from YouTube?
- Yes, you can capture live streams through YouTube with the help of screen recording software. Some of these video recorders also allow you to add effects and annotations while streaming, making them ideal for creating professional-looking live streams.
- Can I record audio without recording video?
- Yes, the screen recording app allows you to record only audio without capturing any video from your screen. This is useful if you want to create podcasts without having to worry about recording visuals at the same time.
- Can I edit captured YouTube videos?
- Yes, the screen recorder offers basic editing features that let you trim, crop, and adjust your captured footage before saving it in your desired format.
- What formats can I download YouTube videos in?
- Common options include MP4, WebM, and 3GP, with MP4 being the most widely supported for both quality and compatibility. For audio, formats like MP3, M4A, and OGG are often available, allowing you to download just the sound.
- Can I get YouTube videos with subtitles?
- Yes, you can save subtitles either embedded in the video or as a separate file (e.g., SRT). Ensure that the clip has subtitles available before attempting to download them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, grabbing YouTube videos is an outstanding approach to preserving and disseminating your favorite content. It's easy to do, you just need to have the right tools and know-how.
Make sure to use reliable screen capture software, and be aware of the copyright laws associated with utilizing YouTube videos. Pay attention to the quality of the video you're downloading, and be sure to choose the format that suits your needs.
Keeping these instructions in mind, you can easily capture YouTube videos and enjoy them for years to come.
Editor-in-Chief at Icecream Apps
