As you’re undoubtedly aware online streaming videos are everywhere, from platforms like Facebook and YouTube, to individual websites, and even within certain apps. In fact nowadays you can even find entire TV shows and movies in the form of online streaming videos, on services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
The one limitation of online streaming videos is that each time you want to watch one you will have to stream it. Typically the platforms housing these videos don’t give you an option to ‘save’ videos so that they can be watched offline or transferred to other devices.
However it is possible to get around that limitation, and there are three different methods that you can try if you want to do so.
Website-Based Services
A quick Google search will provide you with a wide range of different websites that allow you to download online streaming videos. Most of these websites work the same way and you will just need to:
- Copy the URL of the video that you want to download and paste it into the box as prompted.
- Wait for the website to process the video.
- Click on the download link that is provided
Although this method is convenient, it does have limitations – normally in terms of the video quality and duration. On top of that these services require a URL, and therefore cannot save videos from within any apps.
Browser Extensions or Add-Ons
Another equally easy option is to use browser extensions or add-ons that allow you to download online streaming videos. Some of these extensions just leverage the website-based services described above, but others work by ‘detecting’ videos and letting users download them.
Each extension functions slightly differently, but in most cases all you need to do is click on the extension and it will show you a list of the videos on the website you’re viewing. However because it is browser-based this option cannot save videos from within apps either.
Screen Recording
Out of all the options available, this is the most versatile – as it will enable you to record any online streaming video from any platform. That is because it works by recording it directly from your screen while it is playing there so you can then save it as a video file.
While not subject to any limitations, you will need screen recording software. Some platforms such as Windows 10, iOS 11 and MacOS Mojave have included built-in screen recorders, but their options are somewhat sparse.
As such if you want to download Amazon video to PC or save any other online streaming videos, your best bet is to look for a dedicated screen recording software. For example you could try Movavi Screen Recorder out for size.
Conclusion
Now that you have a better idea of the different methods you can use to save online streaming videos, it is up to you to decide which one fits your needs best. In fact it wouldn’t hurt to try all three out, to get a better sense of how each one works.