How do I record a streaming video?

In this excerpt from Answercast #74 I look at both the technical and legal ramifications of downloading or recording streaming video from internet locations.

So this answer actually gets a little bit complicated in two ways. One is technology and the other is legality, of all things.

Let's start with the technology.

With respect to YouTube specifically, go out and Google the phrase "YouTube downloader". There are many pieces of software available out there that will let you directly download a YouTube video. You don't have do any recording at all.

All you really need to do is download the video file from YouTube directly and you'll have what you're looking for: an offline copy of the video.

Record your screen

Now, for other sources? Many of them are using "true streaming" where there, literally, is no file to download. The only solution I'm aware of (and I've actually done this a couple of times) is to use a screen recording application.

I happen to use Camtasia, which is kind-of a higher end utility. There are a couple of other alternatives out there (one of which may even be free, but the name escapes me - perhaps someone will actually comment on this article and give a suggestion on that.)

The bottom line is that you end up using a "screen recording" utility. You have to make sure that it's also recording the audio output that plays with the video. (Camtasia happens to.)

What that allows you to do is exactly as you describe: record what's happening on your screen. Then you can save it to a video file in any number of different formats; whatever you would like it to be.

So those are two ways of doing it. If you can, find a direct downloader specifically for YouTube. Otherwise, you end up having to use screen recording software; screen capturing software, much like (if not exactly) Camtasia.

Legalities of downloading

Now. Let's talk about the legalities for a minute.

The problem is that what you're doing is you're making a copy of this video. Many times (in fact, I would claim, in most cases) even when there's a YouTube download available, it's not formally supported. It may be illegal, or at least against the Terms of Service of the site.

In other words, you're not supposed to do what you're trying to do in most cases.

It's unfortunate, it really is. In my case specifically, the reason I actually want this (for things like YouTube) is that there are videos out there that are available in High Definition. They look great! The problem is my internet connection is slow enough that I can't actually stream the High Definition version. I would want to download it first and then play it.

A YouTube downloader would let me get the High Definition version and then play it while offline, without relying on my internet connection.

Nonetheless, I do believe that's against YouTube's term of service. Technically, it could be considered illegal.

So be very careful when you're doing this. Pay attention to what the law says or, at least, what the Terms of Service is. Most of these sites will tell you. It's something worth looking into it.

Obviously, I personally believe that there are perfectly ethical reasons to do this; my scenario being one of them. But nonetheless, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's legal.

Now, I do have to end this by saying I am not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice. But I do, at least, want to make you aware of the potential legal ramifications of doing what it is you're asking to do.

Source: http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_record_a_streaming_video.html

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