How to Use NicoNico-dl to Download Niconico Videos to MP4/MP3?

Niconico (formerly Nico Nico Douga) is one of Japan’s most popular video-sharing platforms, offering a wealth of user-generated content, animations, music, and more. While streaming on Niconico is straightforward, downloading videos for offline use can be tricky, especially when users want to save them as MP4 or MP3. This is where tools like niconico-dl come into play.

In this article, we’ll guide you through using niconico-dl to download Niconico videos to MP4/MP3, as well asexplore its advantages and limitations.

1. How to Use niconico-dl to Download Niconico Videos to MP4/MP3

niconico-dl is a command-line tool specifically designed for downloading videos from Niconico. It’s a spin-off of the popular youtube-dl project, fine-tuned to handle the unique URL structure and authentication system of Niconico. Here’s how you can use it to download from Nicovideo:

Step 1: Install niconico-dl

Windows:

• Download Python from python.org.

• Open Command Prompt and install niconico-dl using the following command:

Mac/Linux:

• Ensure Python is installed on your system.
• Open Terminal and run:

Step 2: Log in to Your Niconico Account

Niconico requires users to log in to access videos. To download videos with niconico-dl, you must supply your account credentials:

Step 3: Download Video as MP4

By default, niconico-dl downloads videos in their original format. To ensure they are saved as MP4, you can specify the format:

Step 4: Extract Audio as MP3

If you only need the audio from a video, use the following command to convert it into MP3:

Step 5: Specify Output Directory

To organize your downloads, you can specify the output directory:

2. Pros and Cons of Using niconico-dl

While niconico-dl is a powerful tool, it comes with its strengths and limitations:

Pros:

• Free and Open-Source: niconico-dl is entirely free to use and maintained by a community of developers.
• Customizable Options: The command-line interface offers extensive options for output formats, resolutions, and more.
• Support for Audio Extraction: Convert videos to MP3 effortlessly without needing additional software.

Cons:

• Technical Barrier: The command-line interface can be intimidating for non-technical users.
• Authentication Issues: Inputting your login credentials can be cumbersome, and changes to Niconico’s authentication system may occasionally break the tool.
• Slow Updates: As a community-driven project, updates may not keep pace with changes on the Niconico platform.
• No Batch Downloading: Downloading multiple videos requires individual commands or additional scripting.

3. Best Niconico Downloader: Meget

If you’re looking for a more user-friendly, efficient, and reliable solution, Meget is the best alternative to niconico-dl. Meget is a desktop application designed for downloading and converting videos and audio from over 10,000 platforms, including Niconico. Meget allows to save multiple Niconico videos at once, choose between various resolutions and audio formats, including MP4, MP3, 1080p, and more. Unlike niconico-dl, Meget offers a graphical interface that’s perfect for all users on their Windows or Mac device.

How to Use Meget to Download Nicovideos:

Step 1: Download Meget installer file by clicking the button belos, install, and open the app.

Step 2: On the software main interface, choose MP4 for video or MP3 for audio, and pick your preferred resolution or bitrate.

Step 3: Collect and copy the URLs of the videos that you want to download from NicoNico, then paste them into Meget to initiate the process.

Step 4: Once the download completes, navigate to Meget’s “Finished” folder to find and enjoy all downloaded Nicovideo files.

4. Why Choose Meget Over NicoNico-dl?

Features	niconico-dl	Meget
Ease of Use	Command-line based	Graphical interface
Batch Downloading	No	Yes
Audio Extraction	Yes (via commands)	Yes (simplified)
Regular Updates	Community-driven	Dedicated team
Platform Compatibility	Windows, Mac/Linux	Windows, macOS

5. Other Niconico Video Downloaders You Can Try

If you want to try more solutions, here are some other tools to consider:

• 4K Video Downloader: A versatile downloader that supports multiple platforms, including Niconico. The UI is designed to be user-friendly, and it supports bulk downloading.
• VidJuice UniTube: Known for its high-speed downloads, VidJuice UniTube supports saving videos from Niconico in various formats and resolutions. It also offers batch downloading and conversion features.
• VideoProc Converter: An all-in-one solution for downloading, converting, and editing videos. VideoProc supports Niconico and many other platforms.
• KeepVid: An online downloader that supports Niconico. It’s free to use but may have limitations on video quality and file size.
• Y2Mate: Another web-based tool, Y2Mate is simple and effective for quick downloads. However, it may not support restricted content on Niconico.

6. Conclusion

Downloading videos from Niconico has never been easier, thanks to tools like niconico-dl and Meget. While niconico-dl is a capable option for tech-savvy users, its command-line nature and occasional compatibility issues can make it challenging for the average user.

For a smoother experience, Meget stands out as the best Niconico downloader. It offers an intuitive interface, advanced features like batch downloading, and reliable updates to ensure compatibility with Niconico’s platform.

Whether you’re a casual viewer or a content enthusiast, Meget is the ultimate tool to help you download and enjoy Niconico videos offline. Give Meget a try today and experience hassle-free downloading!