How to Save Flash & YouTube Videos

YouTube rippers allow you to easily save videos to share with friends at a later date.

YouTube and other video sharing sites use flash video (or FLV) format for the majority of their online video content. This popular format is also used to create online games, animated websites and DVD menus. With the download of a simple YouTube or Flash "ripping" program, you can easily pull these videos and even some flash games off the Web and save them to your desktop for later viewing.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Find a YouTube ripping program on the Web; some programs will require you to download software, others will be entirely online. There are a number of different ripping programs available, and many are free, but some higher quality programs may charge a fee to download or use. If necessary, install the program on your computer by following the prompts you're given.

2. Locate the YouTube or flash video that you wish to download. Once the page has loaded, select the URL from the address bar, right click and then select copy.

3. Go to your ripping program or website and find the field marked URL, right click and paste the address of your video into the field. Depending on your program, you may be asked to select the "Output Format." You may leave it as a flash video for best results, or select another format, such as MP4 if you wish to transfer the video to a mobile media device.

4. Select a place on your computer to save your video in the "Output Location" field. It will typically default to your desktop or downloads folder, but you may wish to point it to a different location. If you are ripping and saving a large number of videos, it will be helpful to create a new folder just for this purpose.

5. Click "Go" or "Rip" to start your ripping program. Depending on the size of the video, it can take up to half an hour to fully download your file. This is especially true if you are also converting it to a format other than flash. When the download is finished, you'll have a personal copy of your video ready to access at any time.

Tips & Warnings

• Only download your YouTube ripper from a reliable and trusted site to avoid unwanted spyware or malware making its way onto your computer.

• Downloading and saving your own copies of YouTube videos is not recommended or condoned by YouTube.

References

• KeepVid: Download and Save Video
• Mashable: Download Youtube Video

Resources

• Xilisoft: Youtube Ripper
• Save Tube Video: Youtube Downloader
• Cnet: Flash Rip or Play