Most online video sites, like YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler, and Hulu stream their hosted videos to internet users via the FLV file format. FLV videos are also played by using Adobe Flash player and their browser plug-ins or other third party software that can open flv files. Unlike images, FLV videos cannot be saved into your PC by simply right-clicking on your browser and choosing save as. You would need a special tool or youtube downloader program to download flv videos from the net.
» Downdload Videos from Youtube
with the FLV Downloader Software in 4 easy steps....
Go to the Download Page of
FLV Direct
Install the Software in your Computer
Get the URL of the Video from your Browser and Paste it in the Software
Save the Video in your Computer
Go to the FLV Direct Download Page...
Click on the Download button and save the installation file on your computer...
Install the Software
Run the installation file after the download has finished. Go through the installation process and open the program....
Paste the full URL of the Online Video into the Software
Copy the web address (URL) of the video from your browser. On FLV Direct, click on "MENU" --> "OPEN URL" --> paste the URL of the Video then click on "OK"
Save the Video in your Computer
Once the has laoded, press "MENU" --> "SAVE AS" then choose a file name and location to save the video in your hard drive. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to download more videos.
Click on the link above to download the free flv video downloader and start saving youtube videos into your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flash videos and the FLV file format:
What are FLV files anyway?
FLV is one of the file name extensions of the Flash Video format, commonly used to stream videos from the internet to a user's local computer. It was originally developed by Macromedia, which was bought sometime ago by Adobe Systems. FLV files can be played in most modern operating systems but it requires Adobe Flash Player, adobe web browser plugins, or some other third party software, to be played.
As mentiond, Flash video files can also end in the following extensions:
- .FLV
- .F4V
- .F4A
- .F4B
- .F4P
For more technical information, visit Adobe's flash video page.
Why do most sites including youtube use flv videos?
Unlike other video formats, flash videos can be played even if a web surfer has not finished downloading the entire file. This is called progressive download.
Another advantage of flv files is that it has a good compression ratio compared to other file formats. This means that flv videos dont consume as much disk space and bandwith compared to most video files while still retaining a good quality. Flash files can also be played in a MAC, windows, or Linux system. since there are a myriad of flv players for different operating systems from Adobe and third party software producers.
Web masters also love the format since it is rather easy to create a custom control panel (think of youtube's Play, pause, and stop controls) for flash videos. FLV videos can also display a static frame or a teaser frame even before the video is downloaded and played. Other video formats only display a blank screen or someother default logo.
Why cant we save flv videos unlike other files on the internet?
With all its advantages, Flash files also have disadvantages as well. They were really designed to be played in web browsers and they were also not meant to be transcoded and edited. You cannot just right click on a flash video and save it as you would an image.
If you want to save youtube videos, or any other flash videos, follow the steps at the top of the page to install a software capable of downloading and playing flv files. Or you can just go to the download page directly and start downloading youtube videos.
Find this useful? Thanks for Sharing the site to your network of friends!
