CNET Editors' review
YTD Video Downloader is a great little piece of freeware for downloading and converting video...if you can ignore the aggressive upselling and multiple browser add-on bundling offers. It quickly downloads video from YouTube, Vimeo, Blip.tv, Vevo, and more than 60 other supported video sites, converts video to the standard formats for iPad, iPhone and PSP (MP4); iPod (MOV); cell phone (3GP); Windows Media Video (WMV); Xvid MPEG-4 (AVI) and MPEG Audio Layer 3 (MP3), and also plays back videos in a very basic player.
YTD Video Downloader automatically loads whatever URL you've got saved to your primary clipboard, saving you the trouble of hitting Ctrl-V (and also possibly embarrassing yourself with an accidentally exposed URL). Hitting Download starts automatically transferring the MP4 file to the customizable "Save to" location, but the entire bottom half of the interface is dedicated to promoting the Pro version (along with a large, red Upgrade Now button at the top of the interface).
Multiple files in the Activity tab can be sorted by any of the columns -- Size, Progress, Speed, Status, and ETA -- and the columns can be resized, but the columns can't be reordered or removed, and it's odd that the entire interface doesn't resize or go full-screen. Thus, if a video fails, it's difficult to read what comes after "Failure (6) ..." in the space allotted.
The player works by loading a specific directory on your machine, then listing all of the supported videos it can show. Double-clicking loads the video with a very basic set of player controls -- play/pause, full-screen, volume -- that are familiar to anyone who's ever used any online video service. It's about as bare-bones as a video player can get, but it works fine.
There's no built-in program help for YTD Video Downloader, but the app links to the helpful Web site. One nice addition for power users is support for the open-source FFmpeg media framework for converting files using a large range of customizable parameters. The Web site also provides command-line examples for less experienced users who want to dip their toes into manual conversion.
YTD Video Downloader does what it says on the tin, and does it quickly. It's also regularly updated to account for changes in the various video service platforms. If you don't mind the additional software bundling and aggressive promotion for the Pro version, it's a powerful, lightweight, and free tool for saving streaming video for later viewing.
Download videos with YTD Video Downloader:
Publisher's Description
From GreenTree Applications:
YTD Video Downloader is more than a Youtube downloader. It allows you to download HD and HQ videos, from dozens of sites and convert them to other video formats. The program is easy to use. Just specify the URL, similar to a Youtube downloader, for the video you want to download and click the Download button. From there, YTD Video Downloader will download the video from the URL you specified. Unlike any other Youtube downloader, the program also allows you to convert downloaded videos for iPad, iPod, iPhone, PSP, Cell Phone, Windows Media, and XVid, or play video that you have previously downloaded or converted.
The YTD Video Downloader interface is also better than any other Youtube downloader you will come across. It includes a tabbed format for easy downloading, converting, and playing, and a new Activity tab allows you to keep track of multiple downloads and conversions in real time. The program has the ability to download full playlists as opposed to just one video. YTD Video Downloader is available in English, Albanian, Arabic, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Chinese Simplified, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Kurdish, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.
What's
new in this version: Version 3.9.6 has fixed the iPad conversion, fixed
channel download, Facebook and other of favorite websites.
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All User Reviews
- All versions:3.5 starsout of 3,492 votes
- Current version:3.3 starsout of 50 votes
- My rating:Write review
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"It's free and works great!"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsThis YouTube Downloader is very easy to use. Good download speed. I also use it to convert videos for my ipod.ConsCan't find any
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"Infected program"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsNo pros for this programConsFull of malware. CNET suchs. Do not trust them and their reviews.
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"Just stay away. The definition of bloatware!"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsDoes not cost any money, but read below...ConsWhat you pay is what you get. Well I want to download youtube videos, but please don't fill my computer with spyware and virus!
NOT recommended. Try VideoZonk or the cheaper MelodyQuest.SummaryJust stay away. Use alternatives like VideoZonk or MelodQuest. -
"Simple to use and does the job"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsEasy to UseConsThere are none
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"Good program but bundles a toolbar"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsThe program works really well.ConsInstalls a toolbar that is basically just adware.
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"Great product!"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsVery easy to download and convert videos.ConsNothing i can think of...SummaryThis youtube downloader is great! i use it on youtube most of the time but it can be used on so many other sites.
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"Great product albeit a little hard to use"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsSafe, fast, youtube downloads. Gives you a nice list of types of ways to convert. Let's say you want to download a song, but don't want video, so just convert to MP3! It's great.ConsI had to get a friend to help me to use it because I had no idea on my own. But overall, great.SummaryIf you or someone you know knows how to use it, I don't see any reason not to download it.
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"Works perfectly."Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsDoes what it's suppose to. Downloads the videos with the exact quality of the original. Converts in seconds.ConsHaven't noticed any yet. If you think there's a virus with this, you're ******* stupid. Fully scanned it, and declined the toolbar.SummaryI would suggest others to use this. No need to pay for it. Works like a charm. Ignore the people who don't know how to use it and say it's crap.
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"CNET should remove this!"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsIt's free. Thats the only pro I can think of!ConsTotally slow! Bad video quality. Not to mention the spyware..and adware problems. If you want to download youtube videos, get VideoZonk or even MelodyQuest.SummaryYTD is disappointing. Get VideoZonk or even MelodyQuest instead.
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"Still Disappointed... This could be great again!"Version: YTD Video Downloader 3.9.6ProsIt works the best out of all the different apps I have tried.Cons1. Possible Malware
2. Browser Search Hijacker
3. Too expensive for what you get.SummaryI was totally sold on this program when it first came out. It was totally free, and you could do batch downloads and conversions into your chosen format, and it was fast. With time, the options changed. I understand the idea that they need to make a buck in this world. But with time the program has went down hill and they are asking an arm and a leg for so much hassle. It still works great, but it's popularity is suffering greatly over what it could be.
The Pro: Well that's easy... It works great and is easy to use. The audio is the best among those I have tried so far, but others have narrowed the gap considerably. Some of the other apps I have used do something to the audio making it either low quality or throwing off the sync. This doesn't do that. Also, I have noticed a few of the apps must capture the stream rather than actually download the media because they will sometimes give video hiccups during the playback at the same place I may get them while watching video during the download. Again, this doesn't do that.
The Cons: First is the heavily complained about possible malware and browser search hijacker. It really can cause headaches if you do not disable them during the installation process. Lastly the price is outrageous for the casual user who wants the full features. I am using a browser plug-in now that does all the same functions except batch processing, and its free, and to get quality full batch processing only costs $5. So how does $5 compare to $29? That is where this really looses out.
The quick way to put this program back on top would be to get rid of the malware that installs with this app which is the single biggest complaint about it. The good thing is there is an option not to install it. You just have to read the screens carefully while installing the program. You can "cancel" the installation of the toolbar and malware in the first setup screen. If you do, the program will nicely skip those and just install the main app.
The first thing I would do to win back followers is remove the speed restriction of the downloads. Let it fly like it used to. Then I would do what I can to get rid of the contract with the malware company which may be easier said than done. Or at least make the customer more aware of what is being installed and make it more obvious on how to NOT install that portion of the software. The last thing for them to do would be drop the price. $29 is way too much for a utility app like this especially for the casual user. The people who are going to pay are the power users that want the batch downloads, but honestly I've found free programs that are getting to be just as good and are merely browser plugins. So to appeal to both the casual user and power user, drop the price.
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