19 Jul 2022
replaced with PullTube, part of my Setapp subscription (see Nice Note: Setapp)
Youtube is obviously a great resource to learn a lot of things. Or just binge on whatever your version of cat videos is.
I use it mainly for deep diving into topics (from AI to archery) and watching keynotes & conference talks 🤓
When I see a Youtube video that looks interesting though, most times I will simply download it for later viewing, rather than interrupt my flow and take my focus away.
For that, I have been using 4K Video Downloader for a long time now.
I just copy the link to the video, click one button in 4KVD, and the video will download, and be added to my iTunes, syncing with my iPhone.
So with 2 clicks, I add videos to my local library, which I can watch on any device - phone, computer or TV (I catch up sometimes on these videos in the evening, on my AppleTV)
It works with entire channels too! Here is a quick demo:
Automated Youtube channels download
Though I am not using this feature (because it means having a YouTube account and donating my privacy in exchange 🤓), if you have a Youtube account and you are subscribed to channels, you can have them download automatically (in your iTunes library if you wish so).
Helpful for meeting preparations
For example the other day, I had a consulting engagement for which I needed to travel by train.
This engagement required me to understand a business software I had never used before.
Before I left, with 2 clicks, I downloaded the entire Youtube channel of the software vendor - 30+ videos.
And watched them offline in the train on my way.
It also works with other sites which have videos embedded.
Freemium
The free version allows you to download only single videos, and shows ads.
An upgrade to Premium is $/€15 - as one time fee (rare these days!) for 3 computers - removing the ads, and enabling you to download playlists.
It's definitely a very useful tool in my toolbox!
Hope 4KVD helps you make the best of what YouTube has to offer like it has for me all these years.
Are you using a different (and better) video downloader?