How to convert YouTube videos to DivX or XviD free download

Now save the following lines as flv2avi.sh. Make the file executable with chmod 755 flv2avi.sh and copy it in a directory in your PATH (/usr/local/bin is a good candidate):

#!/bin/sh

if [ -z "$1" ]; then
  echo “Usage: $0 {-divx|-xvid} list_of_flv_files”
  exit 1
fi

# video encoding bit rate
V_BITRATE=1000

while [ "$1" ]; do
  case “$1″ in
    -divx)
      MENC_OPTS=”-ovc lavc -lavcopts \
        vcodec=mpeg4:vbitrate=$V_BITRATE:mbd=2:v4mv:autoaspect”
      ;;
    -xvid)
      MENC_OPTS=”-ovc xvid -xvidencopts bitrate=$V_BITRATE:autoaspect”
      ;;
    *)
      if file “$1″ | grep -q “Macromedia Flash Video”; then
        mencoder “$1″ $MENC_OPTS -vf pp=lb -oac mp3lame \
          -lameopts fast:preset=standard -o \
          “`basename $1 .flv`.avi”
      else
        echo “$1 is not Flash Video. Skipping”
      fi
      ;;
  esac
  shift
done

This script converts a list of .flv files to either DivX or XviD, depending on whether you give the -divx or -xvid option, and saves them with their original file name followed by the .avi extension. Usage is very simple: flv2avi.sh -divx first_vid.flv second_vid.flv etc.flv. For more information about the options used on the mencoder commands you can read its man page.

You might also want to create a video DVD with your favorite YouTube videos; check my previous article on the subject.