YouTube needs no introduction – if you've ever watched a video clip on the web, chances are it's hosted on YouTube.
The following set of tips will help you watch videos in a variety of different places, access videos not normally watchable in your country and also reveal tips and tricks for uploading your own content.
1. Bypass country restrictions
Can't access a YouTube video because of where you are? Try setting up a proxy server using a program like Proxy Way – once installed, just click ProxyWay(http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//www.proxyway.com/) Auto-Configuration to start, then manually delete all proxies that originate from outside the country you're trying to emulate (typically US). Once done, switch the proxy off and on before configuring your browser.
2. Ditch your browser
Don't fancy watching YouTube through your browser? Try Mirohttp://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//www.getmiro.com/ if you're looking for a standalone player with the ability to search YouTube direct, or the Yougle plug-in if you're a Windows Media Center fan (XP version and Vista version available) – a Windows 7 build is in the works. You'll also need to install FFDShow for the codecs you need.
3. YouTube Greasemonkey scripts
If you're a Firefox user and you install the Greasemonkey extensionhttp://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//www.greasespot.net/ , you'll find 12 interesting scripts showcased at Mashable http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//mashable.com/2007/05/29/youtube-greasemonkey Two particular highlights are Coralized YouTube http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//userscripts.org/scripts/show/9151, which may speed up file transfers if your target video is on the Coral cache servers; and YouTube Theater http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//userscripts.org/scripts/show/9342, which removes a lot of the distracting page furniture of the YouTube web site
4. Watch high quality video on YouTube
Jump to the high-quality version of your selected video by adding &fmt=18 to the end of your video URL – even if no HQ button is present. Try &fmt=22 instead to watch the high-def version if it exists.
5. Embed YouTube video on other services and sites
Each YouTube video has code you can cut and paste into any web page or supported blog (switch to HTML view in your blog editor prior to pasting). If you have a YouTube account, you can even set up playlists, which in turn can be easily embedded into your web pages in the same way.
6. Download YouTube video to your hard drive
Want to download YouTube videos in Flash (FLV) format to your hard drive? Install YouTube File Hack http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//unlockforus.blogspot.com/2008/07/youtube-file-hack-download-and-save.html– it works in most browsers, although Firefox users might prefer to use the Better YouTube Firefox extension http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//lifehacker.com/software/exclusive-lifehacker-download/better-youtube-firefox-extension-319925.php, which also includes YouTube Theater.
7. Convert YouTube video to a compatible format
YouTube uses FLV (Flash Video) format, which isn't the most compatible – fear not, for you can quickly and easily convert your downloaded content to another format: try Any Video Converte http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//www.any-video-converter.com/products/for_video_freer, which has all the codecs you need and can download directly from YouTube.
8. Watch YouTube on your portable device
Want to watch videos on your mobile browser? Head over to KickYouTube http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//kickyoutube.com/ where you can choose a compatible format – if you already know the YouTube link, just change the youtube.com part to kickyoutube.com part to jump straight to it.
9. Extract audio from YouTube video
Many YouTube aficionados are watching video of their favourite musicians – if you fancy ripping the audio track to MP3, take a trip to vidtomp3.com http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//vidtomp3.com/index.php where the conversion process is ludicrously simple.
10. Optimise your YouTube uploads
Don't upload uncompressed video footage to YouTube – it's recommended for non-HD recordings that you size your footage at 640x360 (16:9) or 480x360 (4:3). Save in a format that uses MPEG4/ H.264 video and MP3/AAC audio codecs, enabling you to keep the file size down.
11. Label your video
When uploading, make sure you insert a caption on to the video itself that includes a link to your web site or YouTube profile – your video may get disseminated widely by others, so make sure you're credited.
12. Visit the TestTube
Want to try out the latest technology, such as captioning and annotating? Take a trip to YouTube's TestTube site http://redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&url=http%3A//www.youtube.com/testtube, where you'll get to play with the latest developments before they're generally available