YouTube represent a “vital” source of video content, but the playing of the desired files can be performed through a web browser or another suitable software because the basic access to the movies is designated by an URL. Until now, the video file saving option was not available if the user wanted to store a certain movie on the hard drive, but alternatives to solve this situation are present: third party YouTube videos download utilities, web browser cache searching, bookmarklets based on JavaScript and web based services.

Starting with the videos published on ChangeDotGov YouTube account, which corresponds to the official channel of the Office of the United States President-elect, at the bottom of each video the users can find a link entitled Click to download. By following this link, the download of the H.264 (MPEG4) video file will begin.

Practically, you will be able to enjoy the video with full quality directly from your computer by using a compatible media player, such as VH Player (capable to play MP4 files). The bad news is that this feature of direct downloading YouTube videos is limited only to videos published on ChangeDotGov account.

Solutions to directly download other YouTube video files as .flv or MP4 exists. In case of .flv files, you can search the video stored in the browser cache while it plays or use a free web based service that will automatically download YouTube video files based on their URLs.

The most interesting and convenient method of directly downloading the YouTube video files with full quality (MP4) is based on JavaScript. The next code (corresponding to the following link) will help you to manage the YouTube videos downloads as MP4 files:

javascript:if(document.location.href.match(/http:\/\/[a-zA-Z\.]*youtube\.com\/watch/)){document.location.href=’http://www.youtube.com/get_video?fmt=’+(isHDAvailable?’22′:’18′)+’&video_id=’+swfArgs['video_id']+’&t=’+swfArgs['t']}

In order to add it to your web browser functionality, you must drag (or save) the following link, YouTube Video Download to the Bookmarks Toolbar (for browsers powered by Mozilla engine) or if you are using Internet Explorer or other web browser add it to the Favorites or Bookmarks folder.

By clicking the YouTube Video Download bookmark link while the page containing the desired video is opened, you will be able to save the movie as MP4 file (this code could not work with all YouTube videos).

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 at 5:33 am and is filed under Google methods & tools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.