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Format and Codec Conversion

In this tutorial we'll deal with convertion of codecs1 and formats. Lets start with this Youtube video by Arjan Codes.

codec_demo.py
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from youtube_dl_scraper import YouTube
youtube = YouTube()
video = youtube.scrape_video("https://youtu.be/0DWx7VQHkRY?si=2dGCBJowS_JCgEn2")
video_file = video.streams.filter(resolution_value=360).first().download()

Info

YouTube DL Scraper allows for converting codecs1 and formats using the Converter module at youtube_dl_scraper.converter.

Now that we've downloaded our video, we can now convert it or change the format.

Changing Codec of video

To change the codec1 of a video is pretty simple, to do that well use our VideoConverter class from our converter module.

Example

converting video codec
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from youtube_dl_scraper.converter import VideoConverter
converter = VideoConverter(
    input_path=video_file,
    output_path=".", # (1)!
    video_codec="h264"
)
print(converter.convert()) # returns path to output_file
  1. if the output_path argument is set to '.' the output_file will be saved at the input_file directory.

Output: 

downloads/this-is-way-more-dangerous-than-ai-360p-30fps-converted.mp4
if you'd like to change the video format(ext) all you'll have to do is set the output_path to a new path with the preffered extention for example 'downloads/converted.m4a'.

You can also change the video audio codec1 because some videos contaons audio 😄.

Example

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converter = VideoConverter(
    input_path=video_file,
    output_path="downloads/video_with_opus_audio_codec.mp4",
    video_codec="h264",
    audio_codec="opus"
)
print(converter.convert())
Output: 
downloads/video_with_opus_audio_codec.mp4

Changing Codec of Audio

Changing the codec1 of an audio file is simillar to that of a video file, the only diffrence is the fact that we use the AudioConverter class instead.

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audio_file = video.streams.get_highest_bitrate().download()

Example

converting video codec
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from youtube_dl_scraper.converter import AudioConverter
converter = AudioConverter(
    input_path=audio_file,
    output_path=".", # (1)!
    audio_codec="opus" # or libopus
)
print(converter.convert()) # returns path to output_file
  1. if the output_path argument is set to '.' the output_file will be saved at the input_file directory.

Output: 

downloads/this-is-way-more-dangerous-than-ai-320kbps-audio-converted.m4a

But the AudioConverter allows us to adjust the audio bitrate.

Example

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converter = AudioConverter(
    input_path=audio_file,
    output_path="downloads/audio_at_320kbps.mp3",
    audio_codec="opus", # or libopus
    bitrate="320k"
)
print(converter.convert())
Output: 
downloads/audio_at_320kbps.mp3

Tip

You can also use the AudioConverter to convert a video to an audio file.

video to audio
converter = AudioConverter(
    input_path=video_file,
    output_path="downloads/video_to_audio.m4a"
    audio_codec="aac"
)
print(converter.convert())
Output: 
downloads/video_to_audio.m4a

For more info about the AudioConverter visit the api refrence of youtube_dl_scraper.converter.video_converter.VideoConverter.

  1. A codec is a tool that compresses and decompresses video or audio files. It reduces file size while maintaining quality. Common video codecs include H.264 and VP9, and audio codecs like AAC and MP3. Codecs help ensure media compatibility across devices. ↩↩↩↩↩