CNET Editors' review
Sothink Web Video Downloader provides a interesting twist on the crowded video downloader field. With simple operation, excellent results, and a surprising functionality, we were quite impressed.
The program's interface gets off to an excellent start with a tutorial video that lays out all the commands and functions perfectly. We never felt confused and were able to operate everything like a veteran. Not only could we input URLs featuring videos, much like every other video-downloading software we'd ever tested, but also a small pop-up would appear, asking if we wanted to save what we were watching at the time. This surprising little addition made the process much simpler. The download happens in a fraction of the video's actual running time and results in a clear copy of the Web content. Sothink also offered several special features aimed at customizing downloads, but the default settings seem perfect for newcomers. By providing an unexpected twist on the ho-hum world of video downloading, this program stands out from the pack.
Sothink Web Video Downloader has a 30-day trial. This program's ability to recognize online videos and capture them with minimal effort from the user makes it an exciting way to download, and we highly recommend it.
Publisher's Description
From SourceTec Software:
Sothink Web Video Downloader is your must-have YouTube downloader that can download videos in different formats and save them to desktop and portables. It is smart and very easy to use. Just browsing a web page, the video downloader will automatically capture online videos and prompt you to download videos in any format on demand. The program allows you to download videos from Youtube, Myspace, Facebook, Google, MSN and many other web sites. You do not have to use additional download managers or converters. This YouTube Downloader can convert any videos downloaded into your favorite formats like FLV, AVI, MP4, WMV, MOV, 3GP, Flash SWF, and even YouTube HD, YouTube to MP3. Then easily transfer videos into your PC, iPod, iPhone, PSP, MP4 players, Smartphone, other portables and mobiles. Sothink Web Video Downloader provides you with the highest cost-effective and fastest download speed. Let you get videos from the Web the most efficiently and enjoy videos offline anytime anywhere.
Key Features:
- Intelligently monitor and capture videos in IE, Firefox, Opera, and other popular browsers.
- Capture any videos online, including capturing YouTube FLV, AVI, MP4, FLV, WMV, ASF, MOV, M4V, 3GP, RM, RMVB, MPG, MPEG, and SWF.
- Fast download videos from YouTube, Facebook, MSN, MySpace, Google Video, Yahoo Video, and more.
- Download video to desired format, for example, download FLV to AVI, download video in MP4, WMV, MOV, MKV, 3GP, MPG, and SWF.
- Support capturing, downloading HD videos and even downloading videos to H.264 HD format.
- Download YouTube to MP3, M4A audio.
- Download video to iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, PSP, Zune, PS3, Xbox 360, Apple TV, Wii, Creative Zen, iRiver, Android, Nokia, HTC, Blackberry, mobile phones, and more.
- Save capture and download histories automatically.
- Support batch downloading, resuming broken or paused downloads.
What's new in this version: Version 2.0 added some new features including:
- Support converting the downloaded videos to different formats, like AVI, MP4, WMV, 3GP, MOV, MKV, SWF, and MP3.
- Support converting the downloaded videos to iPod, iPhone, iPad, PSP, Zune, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, mobiles.
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All versions:
3.3 starsout of 11 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 4 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-4 of 4
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"A fine,simple tool with very few drawbacks"
Version: Sothink Web Video Downloader 2.0
Pros
Sothink media seems to be on the high road when it comes to video downloads and video conversions. What once used to be the playing field for RealPlayer alone, now has Sothink media to contend with. Where I once used RealPlayer exclusively, now I use Sothink media. In conjunction with their video converter and their DVD maker, Sothink is a winning package.
Cons
As stated by other users, a site with a lot of flash video will definitely drive you crazy. Video capture boxes just keep on stacking up while you're clicking on them to get rid of them. Also, the URL does not match the video that you downloading. If something goes wrong with the download however, you can always find the correct URL by searching through your history folder. All in all, this is a great program as long as you stay away from websites that might be displaying a lot of flash video.One last thing... the downloader that I have also has a built-in converter. Sometimes, the files will be converted to FLV files which cannot be converted to any other file and cannot be used on their DVD maker. Even with their new standalone converter, it cannot undo its own conversion so you end up with a file that can't be burned to DVD. Sothink should look into this.
Summary
All in all, this is a worthy program especially when used in conjunction with their other programs. Once I figure out how to deal with this problem with the FLV files, there will be very little that I can find fault with. If you're using any of the free Sothink programs, which are quite good by themselves, it may behoove you to upgrade. With all three of their programs; the video downloader, the standalone converter (which can convert files into excellent HD quality) and their DVD maker, this is the best, and only, way to go.
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"Works as advertised"
Version: Sothink Web Video Downloader 2.0
Pros
Does what it's advertised to do.
Cons
Impossible to delete or upgrade
Summary
I concur with what Jan7heaven posted earlier.
In addition, although the company nags you to
upgrade, you cannot. Windows-7 Home Premium
insists there already is a version running,
even when the old installation has been deleted
and removed. The company does not respond to a
number of queries as how to correct this
problem. -
"Does what it says brilliantly!"
Version: Sothink Web Video Downloader 2.0
Pros
Tried 3 videocapture programmes before this one, 2 failed and only RealPlayer managed a slightly better than 50% success rate! This programme captured literally 10's of youtube & other videos in first days of use with no problems or failures.
Cons
Software offering on website is very confusing, having to decide between regular downloader or Firefox add-on downloader! Also only some downloads continue or restart after a disconnection.
Summary
Very minor cons, but many major pros.
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"Like a computer virus-can't uninstall"
Version: Sothink Web Video Downloader 2.0
Pros
Good advertising of product. Good for Practicing patience and forgiveness exercise
Cons
this works when it shouldn't picking up every flash file indiscriminately. The url on the video and in the captured screen don't match. i have had it pick up20 videos on a page. Then when I want it to capture it doesn't.
Summary
DO NOT Download This unless you want a big time wasting headache.
I still can't get rid of exe and dll files even though I am admin and went into program file to delete after uninstaller didn't work.. It is a monster.
Results 1-4 of 4
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