How to Download and Save YouTube Videos
Well, another way to put it would be “How to Leech YouTube Videos“, but it sounds a bit criminal. Anyway, the Net abounds with tricks on how to download the Flash videos on YouTube. The common results in search engines involves browsing through Mozilla Firefox’s cache (about:cache), or installing a browser extension.
However, both methods require some manual effort before you can actually see the video file. An easier way would be to use Javimoya.com’s free Video Downloader site — all you need to do is copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video. What’s more, the site works well for a slew of other popular video sites, such as Google Video and Revver.
I’ve only tried out the video downloader for YouTube, and it has worked quite well. Just a tip: strip the YouTube video URL of ‘excess’ characters. Only retain the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=[videoID], and delete strings such as &search=[term] before feeding it into the video downloader.
Sometimes, I get an error when directly copying and pasting the URL precisely because of the ‘excess’ code. For example, this link leads to a Rivermaya music video, and this one does, too. But sometimes the first link won’t work with the downloader, as it contains ‘excess’ characters.
YouTube videos are in .flv format (if the vid doesn’t end with .flv when you downloaded it, just rename the file). You’ll need to download an FLV player, and a video converter if you want to convert your YouTube videos to MPEGs and other formats.
Of course, it goes without saying that you should use your downloaded videos only for personal use! By the way, if you know a better alternative method, do share it with me. Thanks in advance.
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July 24th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
I say, go to Google Video and download their player. Heh.
But yeah, that’s why FLV’s all the rage these days.
I’m content watching online though. Its the lack of the latest TRC episodes I’m disgruntled about (*ang ganda kasi ng video quality at fansubbing eh*). And ACC. =\
Heard of the new fineprint? Here:
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/07/20/youtubes_new_policy_.html
July 24th, 2006 at 9:45 pm
i heard of this one dude: http://keepvid.com/ but not tried it though.
btw re: Well, another way to put it would be “How to Leech YouTube Videos“, but it sounds a bit criminal. - maybe because it is? hahahaha ;D
July 25th, 2006 at 1:16 am
Hey thanks for the great tip!
Now I can have a copy of the infamous “Keys Me” video on my hard drive. Hehehe…
July 25th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
you can try this one: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/2390/
it’s called video downloader and it’s a plugin for firefox.
worked for me while downloading videos from high school musical.
hahaha!
July 27th, 2006 at 9:56 am
I came here to post exactly what esti said! I’m logged into my brother’s profile and he uses it in his Firefox profile. As for me, I don’t use extensions right now so it’s of no use for me.
And I think I’ve seen Keepvid too.
July 31st, 2006 at 12:30 pm
Ia, the fineprint’s pretty troubling, though I guess YouTube’s assurances sound quite good enough..for me, that is.
Gary, thanks. Keepvid looks great, and quite similar to the Javimoya downloader even in appearance! I wonder if they’re from the same creator.
PinoyMacLover, no problem, dude! Glad to be of service.
Esti, thanks. I think that’s the browser extension I alluded to (or is there another one?). Javimoya’s Vid Downloader is more of a savior to non-Firefox users, such as Safari and Opera (who wants to use IE, anyway?)
Am not aware if there are extensions for these browsers.
May 26th, 2007 at 3:24 am
I use http://www.tubematrix.com They have a cool RSS Video grabber at http://www.tubematrix.com/videos/ where you put up a RSS feed and you can download the videos from the list. Fun way to pass time.
Works for almost all online video site. I use this site to download youtube videos and dump them to my ipod.