Ten Reasons to Download Youtube Videos
September 11th, 2008 by David Bradley >> 5 Comments
I recently explained how to download Youtube videos. It never occurred to me that anyone would need an explanation as to why you would want to. But, the first comment in from fellow blogger Ari Herzog asked the obvious question – why would someone download a Youtube video to a computer? Well, Youtube isn’t all trashy celeb stuff and pratfalls, there are hundreds of people who upload howto type videos, lectures, vidcasts and other materials and I can think of several reasons why you might want to download a copy:
- Watching offline
- Burning to DVD to watch on a TV
- Downloading to a portable media player
- Uninterrupted presentations
- Avoiding buffering problems while viewing on a slow connection
- Archiving videos that might be subsequently removed from Youtube
- Viewing when traveling
- Watching if only intermittent net connectivity
- Sharing in places where Youtube is blocked or banned
- Because you can
"Deceived Wisdom: Why What You Thought Was Right Is Wrong" from David Bradley. Available now on 
Leave a comment ↓
Jo // Sep 11, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I’ve not done this as yet although it seems that by having downloaded the Veoh software I’m already plugged in (goodness knows how!) to being able to download any video that appears on any page.
I just don’t want to litter up my hard drive with files (other than podcasts of course).
Might try one as proof of principle though “because I can” :]
David Bradley // Sep 11, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Personally, I’ve actually got no reason to download vidz myself, but I know millions of people do. As to littering up you hard drive. You can get a terabyte of storage as an external hard drive for less than $200. Alternatively, sign up for free with File Savr and get a quarter of a terabyte online…oh, wait a minute, that would kind of defeat the object of downloading them in the first place
Wayne Liew // Sep 12, 2008 at 5:39 am
Hopped over here from your twit.
I have been using Keep Vid to download Youtube videos because I love watching a video over and over again. It can also be a pain to find for them online when I want to share those videos with my friends.
The script definitely helps. Thanks David.
David Bradley // Sep 12, 2008 at 7:39 am
Nice to see you here Wayne, glad you found the script helpful. I am sure there are other approaches around and other reasons to download vidz, if anyone cares to share them here.
Adam // Nov 24, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I use http://metatuber.com – handy app.