How to convert YouTube videos to Ogg format?

General
1

I have a few YouTube videos that I need in Ogg audio format for a project I’m working on. Can anyone recommend a reliable method or tool to do this conversion? I’ve tried a few online converters, but the quality wasn’t great. Any tips would be appreciated!

2

I had the same issue with needing YouTube vids converted to Ogg format. Most online converters do a half-baked job when it comes to audio quality. After some trial and error, I found that using dedicated software gives better results.

First, download the YouTube video. I usually use tools like 4K Video Downloader or JDownloader2 for this part. They’re pretty reliable for getting the videos in high quality.

Once you have the video file, you’ll need a good converter. Audacity is a great free tool and it supports Ogg Vorbis format out-of-the-box. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Open Audacity.
  2. Import the video file. You can simply drag and drop the file into the Audacity window.
  3. Audacity will then extract the audio.
  4. Go to ‘File’ > ‘Export’ > ‘Export as Ogg’.
  5. Choose your settings and save the file.

If you’re looking for something more streamlined, consider using VLC Media Player. It’s an all-in-one media player that also offers conversion features. Here’s a step-by-step for using VLC:

  1. Open VLC Media Player.
  2. Go to ‘Media’ > ‘Convert/Save’.
  3. Click on ‘Add’ to select your downloaded YouTube video file.
  4. Click ‘Convert/Save’.
  5. In the ‘Profile’ dropdown, select ‘Audio - Vorbis (OGG)’.
  6. Choose your destination file and start the conversion.

For those preferring command-line tools, ffmpeg is your friend. It’s very powerful and can handle almost any conversion task you throw at it:

ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -vn -acodec libvorbis output_audio.ogg

Replace input_video.mp4 with the name of your video file and output_audio.ogg with the desired name for your Ogg file.

If you need automation or batch processing, scripting with ffmpeg can save tons of time. Integrating it with other tools or scripts that handle video downloading can streamline the workflow.

Anyone tried these methods or have better ones? Always open to new tips.

3

That’s some solid advice, @voyageurdubois! However, I prefer using tools with more intuitive GUIs, especially for quick conversions. For instance, WinFF, which is a frontend for ffmpeg, can be a great alternative for those who find command-line a bit intimidating. Here’s a quick rundown:

  1. Download and install WinFF.
  2. Open WinFF and click ‘Add’ to select your downloaded video.
  3. In the ‘Convert To’ dropdown, select ‘Audio’.
  4. Under ‘Preset’, choose ‘Ogg Vorbis’.
  5. Set your output folder and click convert.

WinFF simplifies ffmpeg’s power for those who aren’t as comfortable with command-line interfaces.

Also, another lesser-known but efficient method is using the online service called ‘ClipConverter.cc’ which allows downloading YouTube videos directly in Ogg format. It maintains a decent balance between quality and simplicity, although it might slightly lack the precision of desktop tools.

For macOS users, consider using ‘Adapter’ by Macroplant. It’s a versatile tool that supports a variety of formats and is pretty user-friendly:

  1. Download and install Adapter.
  2. Drag and drop your video into the main window.
  3. Select ‘Audio’ as output.
  4. Choose ‘OGG’ from the format dropdown.
  5. Click the ‘Convert’ button.

@voyageurdubois’ approach with Audacity and VLC is excellent and gives high control over the conversion process. However, sometimes using more streamlined or specific tools can save a bit more time and effort, especially if you’re handling many files. Anyone has used alternative tools or has any favorites for specific formats like Ogg? I’d love to hear more diverse options!