Introduction to ytdl-core

ytdl-core is a powerful and popular library used for downloading YouTube videos. Whether you want to download videos, get metadata, or more, ytdl-core provides you with a simple and fast way to do it.

Basic Usage

First, install ytdl-core using npm:

  
    npm install ytdl-core
  

Download a Video

Below is a code snippet for downloading a YouTube video using ytdl-core:

  
    const fs = require('fs');
    const ytdl = require('ytdl-core');

    ytdl('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID')
      .pipe(fs.createWriteStream('video.mp4'));
  

Get Video Information

You can also retrieve video details such as the title, description, and more:

  
    const ytdl = require('ytdl-core');

    ytdl.getInfo('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID')
      .then(info => {
        console.log(info.title);
      });
  

API Examples

Here are some more useful API examples:

Get Downloadable Formats

  
    const ytdl = require('ytdl-core');

    ytdl.getInfo('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID')
      .then(info => {
        console.log('Formats:', ytdl.filterFormats(info.formats, 'audioandvideo'));
      });
  

Video Duration

  
    const ytdl = require('ytdl-core');

    ytdl.getInfo('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID')
      .then(info => {
        console.log('Duration:', info.length_seconds);
      });
  

Check If a URL is a Valid YouTube URL

  
    const ytdl = require('ytdl-core');

    const isValid = ytdl.validateURL('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID');
    console.log('Is valid URL:', isValid);
  

App Example

Below is an example of a simple application that uses ytdl-core to download a YouTube video and log its metadata:

  
    const fs = require('fs');
    const ytdl = require('ytdl-core');

    const videoURL = 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID';

    ytdl(videoURL)
      .pipe(fs.createWriteStream('downloaded_video.mp4'))
      .on('finish', () => {
        console.log('Video downloaded successfully');
        ytdl.getInfo(videoURL)
          .then(info => {
            console.log('Video Title:', info.title);
            console.log('Video Length:', info.length_seconds, 'seconds');
          });
      });
  

Conclusion

ytdl-core is an essential tool for developers looking to interact with YouTube videos programmatically. From downloading videos to fetching metadata, its wide-ranging APIs make it incredibly versatile and efficient.

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