How To Download And Save Videos From YouTube
By The Guru | May 11, 2008
YouTube has pushed past the herd to become the leading video archival and distribution website. Its competitors (including MySpace, DailyMotion, MetaCafe and even Google Video) lack the reach of its distribution and breadth of its content. Millions of websites and blogs syndicate videos that originate from YouTube’s inventory. But, downloading and saving YouTube videos presents a problem. The default format of their videos are often incompatible with today’s popular media and video players. But, there is a way you can download, save and play videos from YouTube. Here’s a quick guide to your options…
Option #1: Using Websites
There are dozens of websites that allow you to download YouTube videos to your PC. Some of these resources are more reliable than others. The best of the lot will let you choose which format to download the videos (AVI, MP4, MOV, etc.). This saves you the hassle of having to download, convert and encode the videos to watch them with your media player. Here are 2 websites that make this process simple:
idesktop.tv - This site not only converts the videos you want while downloading them, but also allows you to download them in a zipped file. This site works similar to Google’s Picassa application. The interface is intuitive with features such as a zoom slider, list of favorites and icons for managing videos that you’re downloading. Also, though you’re not on YouTube’s website, you can view all of the information that accompanies each video.
vixy.net - Vixy works a little differently than idesktop. Rather than searching for videos directly on the site, you’re required to enter the URL (i.e. website address) of the YouTube video that you want to download. After entering the URL of the video, you can select from several formats in which to download it. Though the process isn’t as seamless or fluid as idesktop, vixy does provide an easy way to download and save your YouTube videos.
Option #2: Using Software
If you don’t want to use third-party websites to download, convert and save videos from YouTube, you can use software hosted on your PC. After downloading the software, you would download and convert the videos locally (on your PC). Here are 2 popular applications for doing this.
Video DownloadHelper - If you’re using the Firefox browser, you can grab this add-on for free. This add-on allows you to easily download YouTube videos directly to a file system on your PC. However, once downloaded, you’ll need to use a tool such as WinAVI FLV Converter to convert the videos to AVI format.
Free FLV Downloader - This is a freeware solution that’s actually more robust than Firefox’s Video DownloadHelper. The Free FLV Downloader downloads, saves and then converts YouTube videos to a number of formats that are compatible with your chosen media player.
Watching YouTube Videos On Your PC
Whether you want to watch debates, corporate presentations, movie excerpts, music videos, or funny clips, downloading them onto your PC allows you to enjoy them as often as you wish. There are a number of ways to download the videos and convert them to the proper format for your media player. Third-party websites and software applications provide an easy, low-maintenance solution. Because YouTube’s growth and distribution have literally changed how we consume entertainment, these solutions have become a common way to enjoy online video content.
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How To Record Live TV On Your PC
By The Guru | May 9, 2008
Before cable television was available, people were limited to watching a few select channels on their TVs. When cable companies began to distribute their content across hundreds of premium channels, the public quickly subscribed. Today, millions of people pay monthly fees to have the option of watching hundreds of programs on their televisions. But, another shift in the landscape has recently happened. Software has emerged that allows you to watch and record live TV streams on your computer. Below, you’ll discover why more and more people are using this software, how it saves you money and how you can get started watching your favorite programs on your PC.
Popular Software For Recording TV
There are a few different ways to watch and record television programs on your PC. The easiest way involves software that eliminates the need for extra hardware. For example, an application called MyNewSatellite TV works by downloading broadcast streams from the internet. By simply downloading the software and connecting online through your normal internet connection, MyNewSatellite TV provides access to over 2,500 different channels around the world.
Satellite TV For PC: 2008 Elite Edition is another software package that provides the same service. One simple download launches you onto a platform from which you can record and watch live TV shows on thousands of channels from over 100 countries.
Why Watch TV On Your PC?
Recording and watching TV on your PC provides several benefits. First, you’ll have access to an unprecedented level of content. You’ll have the opportunity to view live TV programs from other countries. Second, you’ll be able to watch cable television shows that would normally require a costly subscription. Many people pay nearly $100 each month to access their cable TV programs. “TV on your PC” software allows you to watch your favorite programs while eliminating the monthly fees.
Third, watching TV on your PC provides a level of mobility that is otherwise impossible. You can record live TV on your laptop and watch your TV shows wherever you happen to be. Lastly, having access to an expansive menu of programs from around the world provides a deeper understanding of cultures in other nations. From sports and religion to politics and music, you’ll be able to see firsthand how others live.
Benefits Of Using Software
Without software such as MyNewSatellite TV and Satellite TV For PC, you would need to install a TV tuner card inside your computer. But, doing so is high-maintenance. Plus, many people aren’t comfortable opening their computer to install components. Downloading “TV on your PC” software eliminates the need for a TV tuner card. You won’t need to open the case of your PC to install any additional equipment.
Recording TV Onto Your PC
Tradition implies that you should continue paying large monthly fees for cable access. It also encourages people to remain captive to the schedule of a limited menu of shows to which you have access. In reality, you can have much more for less. “TV on your PC” software catapults you into an environment from which you can record and watch live TV shows from thousands of sources. Plus, you can do so without paying a monthly fee or having to install hardware into your computer. One simple download can expand your television choices a hundredfold.
Topics: Guides, Satellite TV on Your PC | No Comments »
5 Places to Watch Movie Trailers Online
By The Guru | May 8, 2008
With so many movies to choose from, making a decision can be difficult. Instead of just closing your eyes and picking, take some time online and watch some movie previews. There are plenty of places online that have movie previews for both current movies and upcoming movies.
1. Moviefone
Moviefone is a great place to access movie previews online. Moviefone is a comprehensive site, with movie previews of films already in theaters, upcoming movies, and movies that are on DVD. The moviegoer can simplify the movie watching process by weeding out the films that don’t suit their tastes. Also, while many sites offer only one preview per movie, Moviefone offers multiple trailers for many of the movies in its database. It also allows you to see what movies are playing near you, and view those movie previews exclusively. It narrows down the decision making process for you.
2. Apple Movie Trailers
If Moviefone doesn’t suit your needs, check out Apple Movie Trailers. All that you need is a QuickTime Player to get in on the movie preview watching experience. If you don’t have QuickTime, the download is free, so there is no reason you should miss out. Apple Movie Trailers has every movie trailer you could possibly want to see. The format is incredibly well laid out and easy to use.
3. Yahoo Movies
If you are boycotting Apple because you have an allegiance to Bill Gates, do not despair. There are still more choices out there. Many people don’t realize what a great site Yahoo! Movies is. Not only can you look up show times at your favorite theater, you can also watch the preview of the movie you want to see. Click on the theater near you, see what movies are playing there, and then start watching the previews. If there aren’t any movie trailers that grab your eye, go to another nearby theater and try it again.
4. The Movie Box
If you are only interested in movies that are coming soon to theaters, then take a look at The Movie Box. The Movie Box offers a wide selection of films that are about to hit the box office. The site is easy to navigate, with the movie previews listed on one page.
5. ComingSoon.net
If none of these appeals to you, then there is one more you can try. Coming Soonis another site that offers a wide variety of movie previews to suit every filmgoers needs. Coming Soon has an amazing amount of movie trailers to watch. It would be impossible to sit down and watch all of the previews you would want to see. Bookmark it and come back. The point is to go out and see the movies, after all.
Movies come and go faster than the public can keep up. Instead of wasting money by donating to awful movies, study the trailers. The best part of it is that it’s free and you don’t have to leave the house to do it. You can save money and be lazy, which are great American qualities to possess.
Topics: Guides | 2 Comments »
5 Great Video Players For Your PC
By The Guru | May 8, 2008
Watching videos on your computer is nothing new. People have been doing it for years. But, until a few years ago, your options for viewing those videos were limited to only a few video players. Since then, the selection of reliable video players has expanded. There are now dozens of players that each offer unique sets of features. Many of them can be downloaded for free online and allow you to play videos in a variety of formats. Below, we’ll provide a quick overview of 5 of the most popular video players for your PC.
#1 - WinDVD
WinDVD is a robust video playback application that is capable of playing Blue-ray discs and traditional DVDs (including HD DVDs). You can also watch home movies that have been recorded on the latest multimedia devices. It supports videos and movies in formats such as RealPlayer, AVI, QuickTime and Windows Media. It’s not free, but at under $100, WinDVD is one of the best-regarded and flexible video players on the market.
#2 - VLC Media Player
By contrast to WinDVD, the VLC Media Player is an open source video streaming application. It’s free and can be downloaded from http://www.videolan.org/. The player supports many formats including MPEG-4, DivX, AVI and Flash and can be used on a variety of platforms such as Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.
#3 - PowerDVD
Offered by Cyberlink, PowerDVD is a powerful video player that includes playback of high-definition Blue-ray Disc movies. It supports many popular formats such as AVCHD, H.264 and AVI while providing a host of tools and utilities that offers an interactive experience. You can remix movies, give ratings to videos you’ve watched and check how your movie selections rate with other PowerDVD users. There are several versions of this player available ranging in price from $29.95 to $99.95.
#4 - Windows Media Player
The Windows Media Player by Microsoft is one of the oldest and most widely-distributed video players available. In many ways, the latest version is similar to Apple’s iTunes interface. That is, it offers a streamlined library from which you can access your videos as well as audio files, recorded TV shows, etc. It’s available free from Microsoft’s website.
#5 - iTunes
Any discussion of video players for your computer would be incomplete without a mention of Apple’s iTunes. Arguably one of the most popular video players today, iTunes provides a generous level of functionality with a smooth and graceful interface. It can be used not only to watch videos, TV shows and movies but to organize your audio, video and image files. The most recent version of iTunes supports a variety of formats including the common MPEG-4 format and can be downloaded from Apple.com for free.
Watching Videos On Your Computer
Computers have become an integral piece of our daily lives. While watching a video used to mean loading a DVD (or VHS tape) into a player and watching it on TV, people are more likely to use their computers to watch movies, video clips and even their favorite television shows. During the last 10 years, dozens of video players have been created to offer people an easy way to do that. Though there are many capable players available, the 5 mentioned above are among the most reliable and well-regarded. If you’re not currently using a video player on your PC, take a few minutes to explore those mentioned above. Any of them is likely to suit your needs perfectly.
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How To Watch Network TV Shows Online
By The Guru | May 7, 2008
Our lives are getting busier each year. We have less time to do the things we want. Unfortunately, that often means not being able to watch our favorite network television shows as they’re broadcast. In the past, that meant taking the time to record the shows (if you remembered to program the recorder) and catching up when you could find the time. Today, things have changed dramatically. You can watch most of your favorite TV shows online.
Major TV networks such as NBC, ABC and FOX provide platforms from which you can view your shows online on your schedule. They’ve realized that a growing portion of their audience feels just as (if not more) comfortable sitting in front of a computer screen as sitting on a couch watching a TV. As a result, they’ve begun to distribute their content on their websites. In this article, we’ll explain how you can enjoy your favorite TV shows from the major networks on your computer.
NBC
NBC provides most of its content from their website at NBC.com. Popular shows such as “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Scrubs” can be streamed directly to your computer. Most of their Primetime shows become available for streaming on their website the same day they’re broadcast on TV. Late night programs are typically available the following day. While full episodes are currently only available in the U.S., it’s likely NBC will expand its international viewership soon.
CBS
CBS also provides most its popular series on their website. Unlike NBC, they only provide streaming of full episodes for a few of their shows. For example, while you can watch the latest few episodes of “Survivor,” “CSI” and “How I Met Your Mother,” other shows such as “Ghost Whisperer” and “Criminal Minds” are only available as short clips.
ABC
ABC has also been making the transition to streaming its content on its website. Currently, they don’t provide all of their shows online. But, they do allow streaming of recent full episodes of their most-watched series such as “Dancing With The Stars,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost.”
Fox
Fox offers one of the most expansive online inventories of online television shows of all the network stations. From the Fox Website, you can watch popular shows like “Bones,” “House” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” To do so, Fox requires that you download their video player. The player allows you to watch some of your favorite episodes without any stalling or buffering wait times.
CW
The CW network offers a limited number of full episodes. Television shows like “Supernatural,” “Farmer Wants A Wife” and “Beauty And The Geek” are available for streaming. However, you’ll need to download the CW’s video player to view them. Full episodes are rotated out of circulation quickly. So, if you want to watch them on the CW website, make sure you don’t fall too far behind.
Enjoying The Archives
While the major TV networks haven’t archived all of their series in their online inventory, they do offer much of their content online. Some networks (like Fox) currently offer a larger inventory of full episodes than others (like the CW). That said, it’s likely that the networks will continue to deliver larger portions of their content on their websites. Within a couple of years, we may be watching all of our favorite TV shows online and wonder why we still own that clunky television.
Topics: Guides | 1 Comment »
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