YouTube Downloader

A Java-based YouTube video downloader with a modern GUI that supports downloading videos in various qualities including 4K, 1080p, 720p, 480p, and 360p, as well as audio-only formats.

Features

• Multiple Quality Options: Download videos in 4K (2160p), 1080p, 720p, 480p, 360p
• Audio Formats: Extract audio in MP3 or M4A format
• GUI: Clean and intuitive user interface
• Progress Tracking: Real-time download progress with detailed logging
• Standalone Dependencies: No need to install Python or system-wide tools
• Perfect Merging: Automatic video/audio merging with metadata

Checkout releases for easier Download

Quick Start

1. Download Dependencies

Run the setup script to automatically download all required dependencies:

.\setup.bat

This will download:

• yt-dlp.exe (standalone - no Python needed)
• ffmpeg.exe (for perfect video/audio merging)

2. Build and Run

.\run.bat

This will:

• Build the application
• Launch the YouTube Downloader GUI

Manual Setup

If you prefer to download dependencies manually:

Download yt-dlp (Standalone)

.\download_ytdlp.bat

Download FFmpeg

.\download_ffmpeg.bat

Build Only

.\build.bat

How It Works

The application uses:

• yt-dlp: For downloading YouTube videos (standalone executable)
• FFmpeg: For merging video and audio streams with metadata
• Java Swing: For the user interface
• Maven: For building the project

File Structure

youtube-downloader/
├── src/                          # Source code
├── target/                       # Built application
├── yt-dlp.exe                   # Standalone yt-dlp (no Python needed)
├── ffmpeg.exe                   # FFmpeg for video/audio merging
├── mvn.cmd                      # Local Maven (optional)
├── setup.bat                    # Download all dependencies
├── run.bat                      # Build and run application
├── build.bat                    # Build only
├── download_ytdlp.bat           # Download yt-dlp only
└── download_ffmpeg.bat          # Download FFmpeg only

Requirements

• Java 11 or higher
• Windows 10/11 (tested on Windows)
• Internet connection (for downloading videos and dependencies)

Usage

1. Launch the application: Run .\run.bat
2. Enter YouTube URL: Paste any YouTube video URL
3. Select Quality: Choose from 4K, 1080p, 720p, 480p, 360p, or audio-only
4. Choose Output Directory: Select where to save the downloaded file
5. Click Download: Watch the progress and detailed logs

Quality Options

• 4K (2160p): Highest quality available (up to 4K)
• 1080p: Full HD quality
• 720p: HD quality
• 480p: Standard definition
• 360p: Low definition
• Audio Only (MP3): Extract audio as MP3
• Audio Only (M4A): Extract audio as M4A
• Best Quality: Automatically select the best available quality

Troubleshooting

"yt-dlp is not installed"

• Run .\setup.bat to download dependencies
• Or run .\download_ytdlp.bat to download yt-dlp only

"FFmpeg not found"

• Run .\setup.bat to download dependencies
• Or run .\download_ffmpeg.bat to download FFmpeg only

"Java not found"

• Install Java 11 or higher from: https://adoptium.net/

Download fails or wrong quality

• Check the log output for detailed error messages
• Ensure the YouTube URL is valid and accessible
• Try a different quality option

Technical Details

Format Selection

The application uses specific yt-dlp format IDs for reliable quality selection:

• 4K: 315+140/308+140/299+140/298+140/137+140/136+140/135+140/134+140/18
• 1080p: 137+140/136+140/135+140/134+140/18
• 720p: 136+140/135+140/134+140/18
• 480p: 135+140/134+140/18
• 360p: 134+140/18

Merging Process

1. Downloads video and audio streams separately
2. Uses FFmpeg to merge them into a single MP4 file
3. Adds metadata (title, description, etc.)
4. Creates a final file with both video and audio

Development

Building from Source

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/up7b8/youtube-downloader.git
cd youtube-downloader

# Download dependencies
.\setup.bat

# Build the project
.\build.bat

# Run the application
java -jar target\youtube-downloader-1.0.0.jar

Project Structure

src/main/java/com/youtubedownloader/
├── YouTubeDownloader.java       # Main GUI class
├── DownloadManager.java         # Core download logic
├── DownloadFormat.java          # Quality format definitions
└── DownloadCallback.java        # Progress callback interface

License

This project is for educational purposes. Please respect YouTube's terms of service and copyright laws when downloading content.

Contributing

Feel free to submit issues and enhancement requests!