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I know there are plenty of ways to download Flash video files (.flv) from the video sites like YouTube, etc. But if the site changes the procedure of download, most of the time, it will break.

Is there any generic way to download without depending on a particular site/software?

8 Answers 8

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You can use a HTTP sniffer to grab the URL of the FLV file that the Flash Video player calls. I've outlined it here: https://superuser.com/questions/28241/where-to-find-a-youtube-hd-video-downloader-bookmarklet-google-chrome/28537#28537

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    I am using Firebug to trace all XMLHTTPRequest calls to the server and able to filter out the actual file.
    – ukanth
    Sep 15, 2009 at 9:47
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Use Firefox with this fantastic add-on: Video DownloadHelper. It works for me on almost all the sites I go to.

alt text

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    Argh! Not the JPEG!!!
    – Josh Hunt
    Sep 15, 2009 at 8:28
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    @joshhunt : dude... you need to surf the web with lynx. ;)
    – caliban
    Sep 15, 2009 at 8:38
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TubeMaster++.

I made an animated GIF for you to illustrate:

alt text

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    I just lost about 30 minutes of my battery life watching this. :)
    – caliban
    Sep 15, 2009 at 4:15
  • LOL Sorry :P
    – ctzdev
    Sep 15, 2009 at 4:44
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Look for screen recorder software, and however a video is playing you can capture it :p (this is universal for sure.)

[EDIT]

If you are using Firefox type about:cache in the address bar and you will get a list of all the files you have seen in the browser (the cache, like John_T say.)

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  • without depending on a particular site/ software
    – user1931
    Sep 15, 2009 at 2:43
  • humm , okay ...
    – user8228
    Sep 15, 2009 at 2:52
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Check your browser cache, no matter how much they change, the file will usually end up there.

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There is free version of ImTOO DVD Ripper and it works great.

I use Internet Download Manger.

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If you're using Internet Explorer, search for *.FLV in 'temporary internet files'.

With Firefox it's a bit trickier. The default cache location is:

C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxx.default\Cache

Now you won't find FLV files in this folder (in fact, NO file in this folder has an extension). But if you sort by size and check the date/time -stamp, you'll get a fair idea of what you're looking for. Copy the file to another location and add the extension FLV.

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FlashGot addon for Firefox is even better that DownlodHelper in my opinion, because it allows setting custom downloaders like IDM (win) or Axel (linux) for different actions. Not limited to flv.

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