YouTube Extractor

OGApps, Python Scripts
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This powerful little app from Output.GURU is part of our AI video and audio tools collection — designed to extract just about everything from a YouTube video. From metadata and captions to thumbnails and audio streams, it delivers fast, structured results for creators, editors, and AI developers who need clean, organized media data at scale.

  1. Create a new folder and open in Visual Studio. Create a new file called: extract_youtube_video.py
  2. Copy and paste this code and save.

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# ============================================================
# Output.GURU YouTube Audio + Metadata Extractor
# ------------------------------------------------------------
# Author: Output.GURU / R.A. Grace LLC
# Version: 1.1.0
# Description: Extracts YouTube audio, metadata, and thumbnails
# License: MIT(© 2025 Output.GURU. All rights reserved.)
# Website: https://output.guru
# ------------------------------------------------------------
# Disclaimer:
#  - Use responsibly and only with Creative Commons content.
#  - Output.GURU is not responsible for misuse or copyright
#    violations of downloaded material.
# ============================================================

import yt_dlp
import json
from pathlib import Path

def main():
    print("🎙️ Output.GURU YouTube Audio + Metadata Extractor\n")

    # Ask for URL
    url = input("Enter YouTube URL: ").strip()
    if not url:
        print("❌ No URL entered. Exiting.")
        return

    # Extract metadata only (no download yet)
    with yt_dlp.YoutubeDL({"skip_download": True}) as ydl:
        info = ydl.extract_info(url, download=False)
        title = info.get("title", "outputguru_audio")
        license_type = info.get("license", "Unknown")

    print(f"\n📄 Video: {title}")
    print(f"📄 License: {license_type}")

    # License check
    if "Creative Commons" not in license_type:
        print("⚠️ WARNING: This video is NOT under a Creative Commons license!")
        choice = input("Do you still want to proceed with download? (y/N): ").strip().lower()
        if choice != "y":
            print("🚫 Download cancelled.")
            return
    else:
        print("✅ Creative Commons license detected. Safe to proceed.")

    # Ask for format
    fmt = input("Preferred audio format (default=mp3): ").strip().lower() or "mp3"

    # Ask for quality
    quality = input("Preferred quality (default=192): ").strip() or "192"

    print("\n⏳ Downloading... please wait\n")

    ydl_opts = {
        "format": "bestaudio/best",
        "outtmpl": "%(title)s.%(ext)s",
        "postprocessors": [
            {
                "key": "FFmpegExtractAudio",
                "preferredcodec": fmt,
                "preferredquality": quality,
            }
        ],
        "writeinfojson": True,   # save metadata JSON
        "writethumbnail": True,  # save thumbnail image
    }

    with yt_dlp.YoutubeDL(ydl_opts) as ydl:
        info = ydl.extract_info(url, download=True)

    # File paths
    audio_file = Path(f"{title}.{fmt}")
    json_file = Path(f"{title}.info.json")
    thumb_file = Path(f"{title}.jpg")

    # Show results
    if audio_file.exists():
        print(f"✅ Audio saved: {audio_file.name}")
    if json_file.exists():
        print(f"✅ Metadata saved: {json_file.name}")
    if thumb_file.exists():
        print(f"✅ Thumbnail saved: {thumb_file.name}")

    print("\n🎉 Done! Files are saved in the current folder.")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

3. Required Dependencies

In Visual Studio with the code open, go to Terminal and from the command line copy this and install. If it stalls correctly, proceed.

pip install yt-dlp

4. Install FFmpeg (Windows)

Check if FFmpeg is already installed

Open your terminal and run:

ffmpeg -version

If it returns version info, you already have it installed.
If it says “command not found,” continue below.

FFmpeg is not installed by default, so you’ll need to:

  1. Download static binaries: https://www.gyan.dev/ffmpeg/builds/ Choose the latest “essentials build” ZIP.
  2. Extract the ZIP (e.g., C:\ffmpeg).
  3. Add FFmpeg to PATH:
    • Press Win + S, type Environment Variables.
    • Click “Edit the system environment variables.”
    • Under System variables, select Path → Edit → New, then add: C:\ffmpeg\bin
    • Click OK on all windows.
  4. Verify installation: ffmpeg -version

5. Open a terminal window inside your folder and type in python extract_yoube_video.py

6. The first command will be the URL for the YouTube video.

7. It extracts data and determines whether its Creative Commons or not

8. Follow the instructions from there…

Example output: When ran in Terminal.

The audio file, thumbnail image and JSON metadata are saved in the root folder.



Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of the YouTube Extractor app?

The YouTube Extractor app is designed to extract audio, metadata, and thumbnails from YouTube videos, providing users with the ability to download and save this content.

How does the app ensure compliance with copyright laws?

The app checks the video's license type, specifically warning users if the content is not under a Creative Commons license, and prompts them for confirmation before proceeding with the download.

What dependencies are required to run the YouTube Extractor?

The app requires the yt-dlp library for downloading and processing YouTube content, and FFmpeg for audio format conversion.

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