Download Accelerator Manager

CNET Editors' review

Download Accelerator Manager from Tensons is a free, highly customizable application for users who want to download many things, fast. Unfortunately, it didn't work for us.

In the main application view, DAM categorizes downloads as All, Unfinished, and Finished; within those categories, the application automatically organizes files by type (e.g., Music). The interface, while not gorgeous, follows standard Windows conventions and is easy to understand. It's easy to add URLs for downloading, and you can pause and restart downloads with one click. We liked the option to choose the order in which files are downloaded.

DAM does, indeed, offer a long list of tools for power downloaders, including scheduling and automation options, site-connection settings, and general interface tweaks. Sadly, the Help file is sparse; among other things, it fails to explain what MediaGrabber, a quasiseparate application that gets installed along with DAM, actually does.

Adding download targets to DAM is easy, thanks to its integration with several browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera. The window that pops up when you click on a link lets you choose to open a file with DAM. You can also right-click a target or drag it to the icon the program places in your system tray.

Our first download attempt was a 1.7MB executable. DAM worked fine. We next tried downloading a 400MB .mov and the application hung. We Ctrl-Alt-Deleted out, restarted, and tried again. The application hung. Just for fun, we tried downloading several files at the same time to observe the promised "manager" features. Hung. We tested with a 60MB file, but DAM choked on that as well. Each time, Task Manager identified DAM as the CPU culprit. Then, we tried downloading both the 400MB and 60MB files straight from Firefox. Each attempt worked fine.

The verdict? If you are a heavy downloader, DAM may be worth a try--it is free, after all--in the hopes you get better results than we did. But you may want to keep doing research in the more likely case your test runs turn out like ours.

Publisher's Description

More Products to Consider

  • Internet Download M...
    Increase your connection speed and recover broken downloads.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • YTD Video Downloade...
    Download and convert videos from video streaming sites.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free YouTube Downlo...
    Download YouTube videos and convert to multiple formats.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • MP3 Rocket
    Download and convert videos, including YouTube to MP3, M4A, FLV...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • RipTunes YouTube to...
    Convert over 20M YouTube to MP3 music clips and ringtones.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • uTorrent
    Download and manage torrent files.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    LEGAL NOTICE: This link will take you to a third-party website. Downloading copyrighted materials without authorization or providing others with copyrighted materials for them to download without authorization may put you at risk for legal action under copyright law in the United States and other countries. CNET discourages the use of software for any unlawful purpose

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Visit Site
  • Download Accelerato...
    Accelerate your downloads to the fastest possible speed.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free Youtube Downlo...
    Download free videos from YouTube, Google, Yahoo, Facebook.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free Download Manag...
    Manage your file downloads on your Windows PC.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free Youtube Downlo...
    Convert multiple Youtube videos to various formats.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Internet Download A...
    Enhance your PC's download performance and resume broken downlo...

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • YouTube Downloader
    Download YouTube videos and accelerate downloads.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Flvto Youtube Downl...
    Download and convert any YouTube video into your favorite forma...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Super Downloader
    Make your download four times faster, and resume your broken do...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • GetGo Download Mana...
    Download all of your favorite videos, programs, games, and musi...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Free YouTube to MP3...
    Extract music from YouTube movies as MP3 files.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Youtube Grabber + A...
    Download YouTube videos and music with turbo-charged speed.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Faster Downloader
    Accelerate and manage file downloads.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • YouTube Music Downl...
    Download video and music from YouTube.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • YouTube Video Downl...
    Download videos from YouTube and increase download speeds by up...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Orbit Downloader
    Download social music or video for your Windows PC.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • VLC Media Player
    Play audio and video files in real-time and streaming modes.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Xfire Display Widge...
    View Xfire stats.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • AdKiller
    Stops pop up windows.

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
All User Reviews

Results 1-10 of 111

  • 2.0 stars

    "Hijacked my system!"

    October 4, 2012  |   By GT760

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.8

    Pros

    Worked fine for a while

    Cons

    Tried to uninstall because it kept telling me to register but get blank DAM page afterwards and no download. (Tried windows and 3rd party uninstaller).
    Support didn't reply.
    Had to re-install..
    Hoping it doesn't pester me to register again.

    Summary

    Malware?

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "Works perfectly and it's free!"

    September 18, 2012  |   By robertsaint

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.8

    Pros

    "Media Grabber"-(resource sniffer) worked well every time; was able to "grab" embedded videos without fail. Tested with IE9,FireFox15,GoogleChrome,and Opera browsers.

    Cons

    Be sure to enable browser monitoring under Tools>Options, also start MediaGrabber.

    Summary

    Thanks Tensons and CNET.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 4.0 stars

    "not as good as IDM"

    September 17, 2012  |   By bod62uk

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.8

    Pros

    Free, clean and works well.

    Cons

    I see no cons, this is good freeware or upgrade to premium.

    Summary

    Very Happy.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 4.0 stars

    "Nice free but it doesn't work need u to update.."

    September 8, 2012  |   By Nick_Hot2

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.8

    Pros

    It works but once the Firefox get updated, it doesn't work. Please update your Download Accelerator Manager..

    Cons

    It doesn't work if firefox or other browsers get updated into new version. Please update it now bcoz your software is not working...

    Summary

    Good software but update the software has to update it too when other browsers are being update to new version.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 1.0 stars

    "When works, works ok."

    July 22, 2012  |   By viewerx

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.8

    Pros

    Got it, downloaded something Stream Transport would not.

    Cons

    Downloaded several things the first day. Next day, would not launch. Icon flashed for 2 seconds. Deleted and downloaded program again. Would not open anything. Just sits there. Pasted Youtube URL into it, it downloaded some kind of file called "Watch". Tried it on one of my own Youtube vids, same results. No sign of support address. Help file no good. Closed it and rebooted. Would not launch. I hate jokes like this!!

    Summary

    When more and more bad reviews come out no one will buy the premium upgrades. Was this company started by a bored rich kid who gave up on it?????

    Updated on Jul 26, 2012

    IT WORKS!!!

    I tried again and this time clicked on OPTIONS. I found that I had to manually choose Google Chrome. I did and it has done everything asked since. "User error"

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 3.0 stars

    "Suddenly there's error"

    June 2, 2012  |   By Nick_Hot2

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.6

    Pros

    Software is ok

    Cons

    It's kinda slow, it has only 3 acceleration mode connection. It used to be 4 modes.

    Summary

    Regarding the error suddenly it showed up. Can you make a correction or suggest how to fix or can u fix this bug errors? Here's the errors kept showing up and when it is about to download it crashed and it disappear your software DAM. Here is the error issue that it says:

    Error in loading Category. ID:0

    Details:
    Specified cast is not valid.
    at
    Tensons.Application.DownloadAcceleratorManager.Model.Category.loadFromRegistry(String regKeyName, RegistryKey regKey)

    __________________________________

    Can you please find a solution to fix that bug error? Because your software DAM is not working. Please fix the bug error?

    Updated on Jun 2, 2012

    Here's the Details bug error:

    Description:
    Stopped working

    Problem signature:
    Problem Event Name: CLR20r3
    Problem Signature 01: daman.exe
    Problem Signature 02: 4.5.6.0
    Problem Signature 03: 4f8d62de
    Problem Signature 04: daman
    Problem Signature 05: 4.5.6.0
    Problem Signature 06: 4f8d62de
    Problem Signature 07: aa
    Problem Signature 08: 35
    Problem Signature 09: System.NullReferenceException
    OS Version: 6.0.6002.2.2.0.768.2
    Locale ID: 1033


    Please repair/fix the bug error please...

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 3.0 stars

    "Yup, it's only good for promotion & small files as 50Mb"

    February 17, 2012  |   By Nick_Hot2

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.4

    Pros

    It's good only for a small files to download as up to 60Mb. It used to have 4 acceleration mode connections.

    Cons

    It is....still slow on 3 acceleration mode connections. You should not remove d fourth connection. It's actually slow downloading.

    4 acceleration mode connections should be ok, not fast it's ok only. I think you should put it back the 4th acceleration mode connection. It should be 4 acceleration mode connections would be ok.

    Summary

    The only thing I could advice and suggest who built this DAM software is to put it back the 4th acceleration mode connections. It must be ok. Right now, it actually went slow.

    There are many downloader software like this. They are really good but there are some bugs that catches up with my anti-virus/antispyware. This one did intercepted too but it's ok.

    Again my suggest: Is put it back the 4th acceleration mode connections to attract customers. So someday they will buy this software. You want good business to attract customers then compete to their business. Once they have installed your software to your customer's computer, they will buy your software but one thing. Please don't ignore their needing requests of kept calling you. You must reply to your customers. Why? You should take good care of your customers. "It's business." Please do good job and enjoy your day and your business competition.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 1.0 stars

    "No where as good as the promotions"

    February 7, 2012  |   By funtime_ca

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.4

    Pros

    Easy to download small Youtube files or just small files

    Cons

    Useless and slower than IE default downloader with big MKV files

    Summary

    It took 8 hours and 5 minutes to download a 9.8 Gig MKV movie file with the free version and the movie played in a loop and left out about 90 minutes of it. I then decided to upgrade to Dam Ultimate the paid version and used the max speed and the movie downloaded now in about 5 hours and 10 minutes but again movie was not complete and played the same scenes over and over again in a loop. I then decided to download the same file with just the default windows explorer and assumed it would take 15 hours as the DAM is suppose to be so fast. It took 5 hours and 30 minutes; only 20 minutes slower than the paid DAM Ultimate version. However movie file downloaded with IE default downloader was perfect and the whole movie of 3 hours and 51 minutes played perfect in 720P.

    I contacted support several times and they just ignore me and do not even bother sending back a reply. My only regret is that I wasted 24.95 on a useless program that is just a bit faster than the IE default downloader but the file then downloaded is useless. This is an absolute piece of garbage, super disappointed in the software and the company.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "great!!!!!!!!!"

    December 2, 2011  |   By sushant1184

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.2

    Pros

    this is indeed great download manager

    Cons

    nothing,but uses more cpu

    Summary

    really great download manager

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "As long as u keep updating when Firefox updates, cool!"

    November 9, 2011  |   By Nick_Hot2

    Version: Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.2

    Pros

    Whenever the firefox and other browsers gets updated their version and you update also your software, it works smoothly fine. It works fine in firefox version 8.

    Cons

    None. It only works if you update your software same day as when other browsers updated their version.

    Summary

    Your product software works good. To those people who download a lot everyday, buy this product. It's recommended to those people who everyday doing heavy downloading programmed files.

    To the owner of this software, keep in mind that whenever all the browsers keep updating their version, you must update it too "on time always". How? Keep checking mozilla firefox's website.

    Enjoy the business as usual.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

Results 1-10 of 111

Add Your Review

or Log in or create an account to post a review.
You are logged in as . Please submit your review for Download Accelerator Manager 4.5.13
Add Your Review

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit your reply

Submit

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

cancel

E-mail this review

Submit cancel

Report offensive content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language
Spam: Advertisements or commercial links
Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users
Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content
Submit cancel

See more CNET content tagged:

Previous Versions:

Error

close

ERROR MESSAGE

If you think this is an error, please contact CNET TechTracker Support for further assistance.

Ok

Running Request

close

loading

Smart Install Software

close

CNET TechTracker will now automatically install software without requiring further action by you. (Note: This feature automatically accepts associated EULAs and third party applications on your behalf.)

You have selected the following software to Smart Install:

CNET TechTracker will attempt to install this software without interrupting you again. If an application requires manual installation, CNET TechTracker will download the installer and prompt you to take further action.

Proceed with Smart Install?

Confirm Standard Install Cancel

Submit a problem report for Download Accelerator Manager

close

Please describe the problem you have with this software. This information will be sent to our editors for review.

Problem:

The CNET Installer isn't working as expected

The download link does not work

The software has a newer version

The software contains malware

Other

Description:

Please select a feedback type.

Please enter a description.

Submit Problem Report

Problem Report submitted

close

Thank you for submitting a problem report! The Download team is committed to providing you with accurate software information.

OK

Installed

Smart Install

About CNET Installer

The CNET Download.com Installer is a tiny ad-supported stub installer or "download manager" that helps securely deliver your downloads from Download.com's servers. We also include offers for carefully screened software that complies with Download.com Software Policies as part of our Installer process. Learn more

Download Accelerator Manager