Downloading videos from websites that don’t have an explicit download option can seem daunting at first. However, with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to save videos from many websites for offline viewing. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the main methods for downloading videos from sites without download buttons.
Why Would You Want to Download Videos?
There are several reasons you may want to download a video from a website instead of streaming it:
- Watch offline – Once downloaded, you can view the videos without an internet connection.
- Save permanently – Videos may be removed from a website at any time. Downloading allows you to keep a permanent copy.
- Avoid ads – Streaming videos often means dealing with frequent ad interruptions. Downloaded videos can be watched ad-free.
- Improve performance – Streaming videos can suffer from buffering and quality issues. Downloaded videos play smoothly and at high quality.
- Share easily – Downloaded videos can be easily shared with others without requiring them to visit the original website.
Being able to download and save videos provides much more flexibility in how and when you can access video content.
Methods to Download Videos
If a website doesn’t have a built-in option to download videos, here are the main techniques you can use:
Browser Extensions
One of the easiest options for downloading videos is to use a browser extension or add-on. There are various extensions available for Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and other browsers that allow downloading videos on many sites with just a click or two.
Some popular video downloader extensions include:
- Video DownloadHelper (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)
- IE Video Downloader (IE)
- Ninja Video Download & Screen Recorder (Chrome)
- EagleGet Video Downloader (Chrome, Firefox)
To use a downloader extension:
- Install the extension for your browser from the official store.
- When on a webpage with a video, click the extension’s button to analyze the page.
- Select download quality and click the extension’s download button.
- Choose where to save the downloaded video file.
The advantage of using a downloader extension is how quick and easy it is to save videos. The drawback is compatibility – if a site uses heavy anti-downloading techniques, the extension may not work.
Online Converters and Grabbers
Another easy way to download online videos is by using an online downloading service. These websites and tools will analyze a video page and allow you to download the video quickly.
Examples include:
- SaveFrom.net
- KeepVid.com
- Youtube5s.com (for YouTube videos)
- VidPaw.com
- OnlineVideoConverter.com
To use an online downloader service:
- Go to the downloader site and paste the URL of the target video page.
- Select download quality, if available.
- Click the site’s download button and wait for analysis.
- On success, download the video file.
Online downloader sites can grab videos from many sources, but beware – some utilize heavy ads or require installing software. Use reputable services and exercise caution downloading executables.
Desktop Software Downloaders
For heavy downloading needs, dedicated downloader apps provide robust options. These tools are designed specifically for saving video and audio content from the web.
Some top choices include:
- 4K Video Downloader (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- FreeStudio (Windows)
- VideoProc (Windows, Mac)
- StreamFab (Windows, Mac)
Downloader apps offer features like:
- Downloading entire playlists and channels
- Converting to alternate formats
- Fast downloading with acceleration
- Downloading high quality video
To use a desktop video downloader:
- Install and open the downloader software.
- Enter the video URL or playlist to download.
- Select download options like quality and format.
- Click the download button and choose a save folder.
- Management and convert downloaded videos if desired.
Downloader tools provide the most flexibility and features for saving videos for offline use. However, exercise caution with executables and only download software from reputable sources.
Important Legal Considerations
When downloading online videos, keep the following legal considerations in mind:
- Copyright – Videos may be subject to copyright protections limiting redistribution.
- Terms of use – Websites may prohibit downloading videos in their terms of service.
- Personal use – Downloading videos for your own personal use generally causes less legal risk.
- Sharing – Do not share or distribute downloaded videos without permission.
- Commercial use – Use extreme caution before using downloaded videos commercially.
While downloading videos for personal offline viewing is generally acceptable, always exercise good judgement. Avoid downloading videos from sources that prohibit it or for commercial use without permission.
Tips for Successful Video Downloads
Follow these tips when attempting to download videos from websites:
- Install a downloading extension for quick and easy grabs.
- Use an online downloading site as a fallback if the extension fails.
- For bulk downloads, use a specialized downloader desktop application.
- Copy and paste the direct video file URL whenever possible for the best results.
- If needed, convert to a compatible format like MP4 after downloading.
- Don’t download or distribute videos you don’t have proper rights to use.
- Exercise caution with installing any unfamiliar software tools.
Best Practices for Downloaded Videos
Once you’ve successfully downloaded videos for offline use, follow these best practices:
- Store downloaded videos on an external drive to conserve laptop and phone space.
- Use the descriptive video title for the file name.
- Add the download date to the file name or in metadata tags.
- Set videos you plan to keep long term as hidden, read-only files.
- Use a media library tool to catalog and organize a large video collection.
Properly organizing and managing your downloaded video files will make them much easier to find, use, and backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downloading videos illegal?
Downloading videos is generally not illegal as long as it is for personal use and you have the rights to redistribute the content. However, downloading copyrighted material without permission or sharing downloaded videos can be illegal.
Will downloading videos impact my computer?
Downloading and saving videos takes up disk space and processing power when converting files. Overall impact is usually minimal for casual downloading, but can become more significant if managing a large video library.
Is it safe to use video downloader software?
As long as you download software from official sources like the Chrome Web Store, video downloaders are generally safe to install and use. Be very cautious before installing any unknown or unreputable software.
Can I download videos from Netflix or other streaming sites?
Generally no – services like Netflix usestrict DRM protection to prevent downloading of their original content. Some tools may claim they can bypass this, but often fail to deliver.
What if a site detects and blocks downloading?
Some sites work to actively block downloading videos. In these cases, downloader extensions may fail to capture the video. Trying an online downloading site instead may sometimes work better to evade these protections.
Conclusion
While not all websites make it easy to download videos, with the right tools it is possible to save videos from many sites for offline viewing and permanent access. Browser extensions provide quick and easy downloading, online services work well for one-off grabs, and desktop apps empower advanced downloading features.
Remember to be mindful of video copyrights and only download content you have the rights to use. With these techniques and legal considerations in mind, you can successfully preserve online videos for anytime access.