The VLC Media Player is a player full of surprises. The software features a function that lets you view videos YouTube in its interface. In this way, the user can use some special functions. Let us know how to play YouTube videos using VLC player? See how to use this feature of VLC on Windows and Mac OS.
Playing videos from YouTube and other online sources locally on your computer can be advantageous in many ways. It allows you to save bandwidth, watch videos without interruptions caused by buffering, and access content even when you don’t have an internet connection.
One of the most versatile and powerful media players for this purpose is VLC Media Player. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to play YouTube videos using VLC Player on various platforms.
What about VLC Player?
VLC is a free open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.
The player supports a wide range of formats and with good hotkey support. By using this player you can play YouTube videos, download YouTube videos and edit videos using the VLC player.
Not only YouTube videos, but you can also Integrate with all web channel streaming services like Vimeo and YouTube.
Why Use VLC Player for YouTube Videos?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s discuss the benefits of using VLC Player for playing YouTube videos:
- Open-Source and Free: VLC Media Player is a free and open-source software, making it accessible to everyone without any subscription fees.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: VLC Player is available for multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even some mobile platforms, ensuring a consistent experience across devices.
- Wide Format Support: VLC can handle a vast array of multimedia file formats, including those used by YouTube, without the need for additional codecs or plugins.
- Advanced Playback Controls: VLC offers various playback controls, such as adjusting speed, enabling subtitles, and video filters, providing a customizable viewing experience.
- Batch Processing: You can create playlists or enqueue multiple YouTube videos for seamless, uninterrupted playback.
Now, let’s explore how to play YouTube videos using VLC Player on different platforms.
Advantages of Watching YouTube videos in VLC
There are some additional benefits are there, which is not available in the YouTube player.
- You can set Always on Top option in VLC player. (Video > Always on Top). But on youtube, the videos will run in the foreground if you are watching or not.
- Loop option helps to replay the video without re-buffering the video
- We can take the Snapshot option to capture a screenshot image of any frame in any YouTube videos.
- we can watch YouTube videos without any ads.
Learn step by step procedure on How to play YouTube videos using VLC player
How to play YouTube videos using VLC player?
There are different versions are available from the VLC official site. Download the operating system version like Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Linux kernels and Unix. The open-source code is given for free download. First, you need to download the VLC media player setup file from the official page, which is given below.
Get the VLC now
How to play YouTube videos using VLC player in Windows?
Step 1: Copy Youtube Video URL
Open a YouTube video and copy your link, as shown in the image below
Step 2: Open VLC Player
Open the VLC on your Windows computer and click on the “Media” option. Then go to “Open Clipboard”
Step 3: Paste Video URL
Click “Play” and wait a few seconds for the player to open the video of the internet.
How to play YouTube videos using VLC player in MAC OS?
Download and install the latest version of VLC Media Player for macOS from the official website
Step 1: Copy Youtube Video URL
Open a video on YouTube and copy the link
Step 2: Go for MAC VLC player
Click on the “File” menu, then select “Open Network…” or press “Command + N” on your keyboard.
Paste the link you copied in “URL” and click “Open”.
In the “Open Source” dialog box, paste the YouTube video URL into the “Please enter a network URL:” field.
Click “Open” or press “Enter” on your keyboard.
Step 3: Solve insecure site Certification
VLC can display an unsafe site alert. However, this can be solved by clicking “View certificate“;
Step 4: Paste the Video URL
Enabling the VLC permanent access to YouTube video links.
The YouTube video will start playing within the VLC Player window.
You can repeat the above process whenever you want to open your favorite videos and Watch YouTube on VLC without using your Internet browser.
As with Windows, you can drag and drop the YouTube video URL from your web browser into the VLC Player window on macOS.
Playing YouTube Videos on Linux Using VLC Player
- Open your Linux distribution’s package manager (e.g., apt for Ubuntu/Debian, yum for CentOS/RHEL, or zipper for openSUSE).
- Search for and install the VLC Media Player package. For example, on Ubuntu/Debian, you would run:
- Launch VLC Player.
- Click on the “Media” menu, then select “Open Network Stream” or press “Ctrl + N” on your keyboard.
- In the “Open Media” dialog box, paste the YouTube video URL into the “Please enter a network URL:” field.
- Click “Open” or press “Enter” on your keyboard.
- The YouTube video will start playing within the VLC Player window.
As with other platforms, you can also drag and drop the YouTube video URL from your web browser into the VLC Player window on Linux.
Playing YouTube Playlists Using VLC Player
VLC Player lets you play entire YouTube playlists, providing a continuous viewing experience. Here’s how:
- Open your web browser and navigate to the YouTube playlist you want to play.
- Copy the playlist URL from the address bar.
- Launch VLC Player.
- Click on the “Media” menu, then select “Open Network Stream” or press “Ctrl + N” (Windows/Linux) or “Command + N” (macOS) on your keyboard.
- In the “Open Media” dialog box, paste the YouTube playlist URL into the “Please enter a network URL:” field.
- Click “Open” or press “Enter” on your keyboard.
- VLC Player will start playing the first video in the playlist, automatically advancing to the next video once the current one finishes.
Advanced Features and Customizations
VLC Player offers several advanced features and customizations to enhance your YouTube video playback experience:
- Adjusting Playback Speed: You can increase or decrease the playback speed of a video by navigating to “Playback” > “Playback Speed” and selecting your desired speed.
- Enabling Subtitles: If the YouTube video has subtitles available, you can enable them by going to “Video” > “Subtitle Track” and selecting the appropriate subtitle track.
- Video Filters: VLC Player provides various video filters to adjust the display settings, such as brightness, contrast, and hue. Access these filters by navigating to “Tools” > “Effects and Filters.”
- Keyboard Shortcuts: VLC Player supports numerous keyboard shortcuts for quick access to standard functions, such as pausing/resuming playback, adjusting volume, and seeking within the video.
- Customizing the Interface: You can customize the appearance of the VLC Player interface by navigating to “Tools” > “Preferences” and exploring the various settings available under the “Interface” section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I download YouTube videos using VLC Player?
No, VLC Player has no built-in feature to download YouTube videos directly. However, you can download and play the videos in VLC Player using third-party tools or browser extensions.
Why does the video playback in VLC Player appear choppy or laggy?
Choppy or laggy playback can occur for various reasons, such as insufficient system resources, outdated graphics drivers, or network connectivity issues. Try closing other resource-intensive applications, updating your graphics drivers, and ensuring a stable internet connection.
Can I play age-restricted or private YouTube videos using VLC Player?
No, VLC Player can only play publicly available YouTube videos. Age-restricted or private videos require authentication and cannot be played directly in VLC Player.
How can I loop or repeat a YouTube video in VLC Player?
To loop or repeat a YouTube video in VLC Player, navigate to “Playback” > “Repeat” and select the desired repeat mode (e.g., Repeat One for the current video or Repeat All for a playlist).
Can I use VLC Player to play YouTube videos on my mobile device?
VLC Player is available for Android and iOS mobile devices. However, the process of playing YouTube videos may vary slightly depending on the platform and version of VLC Player you’re using. For detailed instructions, refer to the official VLC documentation or online guides specific to your mobile device.
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Final words
Following this comprehensive guide, you can leverage VLC Player’s power and versatility to enjoy a seamless YouTube video playback experience across various platforms.
Whether you’re looking to save bandwidth, watch offline, or enhance your viewing experience, VLC Player is an excellent choice for playing YouTube videos locally on your computer or mobile device.
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