Downloading .flv files from You Tube, Google Video, etc?

Introduction

As video sharing is getting more and more important and more and more people are getting into the business of blogging (be it political - hot issues in Malaysia, as well as low profile blogs like mine), it is high time we need to learn how to download those .flv files from these sites that use the flash video formats.

I believe more and more medical e-journals are using flash videos for additional or supplementary appendices bundled with their articles. For examples: NEJM are already attaching supplementary videos for some of their articles as well as NEJM has an online section on procedural skill videos which can be downloaded and play in Windows Media Player. But who knows as YouTube is getting more and more popular especially among politicians, the journal sites may just post their videos in YouTube? I have also come across some online journals like my previous posts on Epley maneuver. So, we need to learn how to download files in ".flv" format.

As with ".doc" means document files that can be opened with MS Word etc, ".ppt" means powerpoint files, ".pdf" files means acrobat portable document files", ".flv" files means the files are in "flash video" format. See a wikipedia entry for more details on flash video formats from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FLV

To download .flv files, you need to do TWO simple steps:

1. You need a agent or software that can help you download the files.

Unlike copying an image, where in you can just right click and press "Save as...", you can't do that in YouTube, don't you?

Either

A. Download the latest version of Real Player

The simplest way to do so is to download the latest version of Real Player (ver 11 BETA).

To do so, click here (URL http://software-dl.real.com/free/windows/installer/RealPlayer11BETA.exe)

It is FREE.

Once you have done that, whenever you view a flash video, move your mouse to the right hand top corner of the video and click "Download This Video" using the real player you have downloaded.






You can read further instructions from this page:
http://www.3rbdr.com/video/page.php?p=3

OR

B. Download a Firefox browser extension or add-on called Magic's Video Downloader (if you are using Firefox browser like me. Because I don't use other browsers except Firefox and occasionally Internet explorer, I am not sure about the extension in other browsers like Opera, etc; but I am sure you can find one. Only thing is some of these required you to pay after the trial period expired but Magic Video's Downloader is free.

If you have not been using Firefox browser at all in the past and would like to start using Firefox browser, download the browser here from Mozilla website. URL: www.mozilla.com/firefox/).

Now, you search this Magic Video Downloader extension by keying into google search engine.

Once you have successfully downloaded the extension, at the righ hand corner of your browser there is an broad arrow that changes color from red to green if there are ".flv" file that can be downloaded from that page.

See a screenshot by clicking here: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6033

2. You need a player that can open the ".flv" files that you have downloaded.
If you have downloaded the real player above, that real player can be used to play the files.

Or else go to google search engine, key in"free flv player".
The one that I like and have downloaded (as well, beside Real Player) is Applian FLV Player that can be downloaded here. (URL: http://applian.com/flvplayer/index_nonav.php?src=NoNav)

The good thing about Applian FLV Player is that besides the player, the website is also offering Freecorder which can record streaming audio from the webpage, convert them into mp3 and save them into your hard disk. COOOL :)

Once you have done these two steps you are now ready to enjoy video clips you have downloaded from sites like YouTube, Google Video....and for medical professionals, there is a site called Free Medical Video http://www.3rbdr.com/video/ that it something like YouTube but contains clips like procedural skills, clinical examination, lecture clips, etc.

ENJOY :)