CNET Editors' review
YouTube Downloader is a popular, free program that enables you to download and convert online videos (legal content, to which you have the rights) for later viewing on your desktop or mobile device. It can convert files to MOV, MP4, 3GP, WMV, AVI, or MP3.
The name "YouTube Downloader" is terribly misleading because the program, in fact, downloads a whole lot more than just YouTube videos. On the developer's site, you can find an extensive list of additional supported sites including Facebook and Vimeo. This wide net of support easily pushes YouTube Downloader to the top of its category.
When you find a video you'd like to download, copy the URL of the video page and open YouTube Downloader. From there, you'll notice that the program automatically pastes the URL into the appropriate field. Choose your desired Download quality (Best Available is a nice option) and your destination folder, then hit Download. Once your download is finished, hit the Play tab to watch. The Convert tab lets you export to a different file format for playing elsewhere, and gives you a convenient mini editor for making minor alterations before your export. You can change video volume (or remove audio altogether) and splice footage by setting specific start and end times.
One thing that disappointed us was the absence of a one-step download-and-convert function in the free version. If you want the one-step convenience, you'll have to upgrade to Pro ($19.90), which also gives you the capability of downloading multiple videos at once. Also, it would've been nice to be able to name files before downloading them, but that's certainly not a deal-breaker.
For online video enthusiasts looking to download non-copyrighted or personally owned videos, YouTube Downloader appears to be a near-perfect tool. Sure it's missing a few minor conveniences, but its simplicity and the fact that it casts such a wide net of support for online video sites make it virtually unbeatable.
Watch the CNET video review of YouTube Downloader:
Publisher's Description
From Biennesoft:
YouTube Downloader allows you to download videos from YouTube, including HD and HQ videos, Facebook, Vevo, and dozens of other video sites and convert them to other video formats. The program is easy to use--just specify the URL for the video you want to download and click the Download button. The program also allows you to convert downloaded videos for iPod, iPhone, PSP, Cell Phone, Windows Media, XVid and MP3, or play video that you have previously downloaded or converted.
The YouTube Downloader interface includes a tabbed format for easy downloading, converting, and playing, and a new Activity tab allows you to keep track of multiple downloads and conversions in real time. The program has the ability to download full playlists as opposed to just one video. YouTube Downloader is available in English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Chinese Simplified, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish and Swedish. A premium version ($19.90) will unlock enhanced features such as faster download times or multiple concurrent downloads.
What's new in this version: Version 3.5 allows users to rename the downloaded/converted files. Vevo download/YouTube playlist download have been fixed. YouTube Downloader is now available in English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Chinese Simplified, Czech, Danish, Dutch, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Norwegian, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish and Swedish.
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All versions:
3.5 starsout of 3,238 votes
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Current version:
3.2 starsout of 31 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Can't download any videos on some user accounts"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Awesome design, cool icon.
Cons
Title says it.
Summary
So, if you're gonna download this, you shouldn't. This is a scam, and I prefer VDownloader @ saveyoutube.com.
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"Channel Downloads dont work"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
It downloaded a playlist.
Cons
I bought the pro version and when I click yes to download a channel nothing happens.
Summary
Anyone know how to get this downloader to download the channel, I bought the pro version and when I click yes to download a channel nothing happens.
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"bundled installation malware makes yahoo default search"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
didn't use it so can't comment on program
Cons
bundled installation makes yahoo become your new default search engine and keeps resetting when you change it. see this link for details:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=7f11e761afd195b3&hl=enSummary
bundled installation makes yahoo become your new default search engine and keeps resetting when you change it. see this link for details:
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=7f11e761afd195b3&hl=en -
"constant little pop up saying "down load this clip""
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
not many. some times it works
Cons
slow does not do what it is hyped as doing
Summary
constant down load this clip pop-up
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"Completely comprehensive, and worlds of improvement!"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
They've made leaps and bounds in their upgrades and have a huge amount of improved and new features since I first started using them. Their auto-update system and massive list of websites they work with makes them, in my opinion, the best downloader out there. For a one time purchase, it's totally worth it.
Their support is also top notch. I had to reformat my computer and have them reset my key. At first I was dreading it, but they got back to me within three hours tops. Very speedy resolution!Cons
If something else is downloading, it obviously slows down the bandwidth allotted to the downloader. Their download options are also a tad technical unless you know what you're doing. Aside from that and the odd error and need to restart a download on occasion, there have been no issues.
Summary
Overall, I'd say this is probably one of the best downloaders for videos out there. Very simple to get started, lots of converting options, it remembers your settings for one button downloads, and is very user friendly. It also supports advanced options for requesting extremely specific conversions manually, so useful for the power users as well. I couldn't possibly recommend this program more. I certainly am never going to need anything else. ^_^
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"Has done what i have wanted it to for years"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
when i had a problem with it after updating i got a quick responce and instructions how to fix it up.
Cons
the new version doesn't convert to an avi version i can put on a usb and plug into my tv. that is a nuisance
Summary
it does what it says it will
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"Works OK but tries to change my search profile at boot"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Works as advertised
Cons
Attempts to change my preferred search providers at every boot. This wastes a lot of my time, so I will probably look for a less invasive program.
Summary
Works, but you may want to seek other options because of the malware-like tendency to try to change search priorities on my computer. I didn't see any of the other comments mention this flaw
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"Good in the beginning, still good now."
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
Easy to use
Well defined directions
Large amounts of conversion options
Rather speedy in all of its actions, unless you have a bad internet connectionCons
There is a version you can pay for, but I don't mind since I have used this program extensively.
Strangely, the paid for version is more likely to drop a download than the free version.
Not a whole lot of debugging can really be done by yourself.Summary
A really useful product, and in the years that since it first came out, I have been there for almost all of it.
(Obviously not the beta builds)
And the updates are always useful, and sometimes necessary, because Youtube seems to actively hate people downloading its videos.
But I wouldn't recommend any other program to my freinds than this one. -
"try something else."
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
it was easy to download but slow. very hard to work with was trying to save to my videos so i could burn on blu ray or dvd but could not figure it out very difficult tried for an hour already uninstalled this program.
Cons
it was not what i expected.
Summary
find something else.
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"CNET destroys hard drives !"
Version: YouTube Downloader 3.5
Pros
CNET programs have destroyed hard drives on four of my computers !
Cons
CNET programs have destroyed hard drives on four of my computers !
I downloaded this program and my pc would not stop downloading until I shut it down.
So far this program and other programs from cnet has completely destroyed the hard drives on four of my computers.
It does something to the hard drive & causes the pc to download and or upload for no reason. It happens usually when downloading or uploading a webpage or music or video, sometimes it just starts downloading or uploading by itself for no reason.
Cnet will eventually destroy your pc one way or another, sooner rather than later !
BE WARNED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do not ever use cnet for programs or downloads !!!!!Summary
CNET programs have destroyed hard drives on four of my computers ! I downloaded this program and my pc would not stop downloading until I shut it down. So far this program and other programs from cnet has completely destroyed the hard drives on four of my computers. It does something to the hard drive & causes the pc to download and or upload for no reason. It happens usually when downloading or uploading a webpage or music or video, sometimes it just starts downloading or uploading by itself for no reason. Cnet will eventually destroy your pc one way or another, sooner rather than later ! BE WARNED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not ever use cnet for programs or downloads !!!!!
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