YouTube Download & Save It

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET Staff on February 27, 2009

If you've got the time and don't mind giving up your e-mail address, this free download manager will eventually convert and save videos from YouTube.

YouTube Download & Save It takes a few clicks and some patience to see it through. Once downloaded, the user interface appears as though its an application that's been installed; however, once after you close the initial pop-up window, you can only access the program through its Web site (iDesktop.tv). You can search and download YouTube videos directly from the interface, though you'll have to register first. Registration is free, but requires your e-mail address. The first time we selected a video, nothing happened. The second time, the video was downloaded to the server, but it took a few minutes to finish the job. Tiny icons representing different video formats appear on the video. You can click one of those or right-click to pick a format, but it took us a few tries to get it to finally begin the conversion. Eventually, the file was saved to our desktop and we were able to play it using our media player.

Because of the time it takes to download a video, this free download manager is more suitable for the occasional video download. And those who don't want to go through a Web site should skip YouTube Download & Save It altogether.