Buzz Out Loud Lounge: How to download Hulu shows
How to download Hulu shows
by Slikkster - 3/13/08 2:36 PMI emailed BOL, but I never seem to make the cut. Such is life. Anyway, on Episode 678, Molly was talking about the only drawback --if there is a drawback -- to Hulu.com is that it's not portable. You can't "record"/save episodes you watch on Hulu, or better said, they don't provide you that opportunity.
However, as with most things, there IS a way, and it's pretty easy to do as well as being very quick. It's NOT free, however.
It's a piece of software from Applian Technologies called "Replay Media Catcher". It's $39.95. It will "record"/capture/download media streams and save them to your hard drive. Hulu.com streams in the Flash Video format, so the files are saved with a rather long file name ending in .flv You can, of course, rename it to something much more manageable so long as you maintain the .flv extension.
Replay Media Catcher comes with a freeware Flash viewer, but I'm sure there are plenty of others available. I know there are freeware video file converters, too, in case your device needs some format other than flash video.
Here's what I've found:
On regular 4:3 aspect shows (like the Simpsons), the files are in the 480i resolution: 480 x 360. For widescreen shows, like 30 Rock, for example, the files are still in "SD", but they retain their widescreen aspect at 640 x 360.
Advantages of Replay Media Catcher:
The videos are NOT downloaded/saved in real time, i.e. second by second as they are displayed. They are, rather, downloaded IMMEDIATELY as soon as you launch the video. You can even browse away from Hulu or close the browser altogether. Replay Media Catcher will continue to save the flash file until it's complete. I was able to download a full 30 minute episode of 30 Rock in all of two minutes. I exited Hulu as soon as the video loaded up and started. So, as you can imagine, you can download and save quite a few shows in a very short time period.
To be clear, then, you do not have to wait or watch the show to have it saved. It's done right away, like any other file download would be.
There is NO DRM on these videos once saved. They are totally unencrypted.
This software will also capture audio-only streams.
Note: In my searches, I've run across a couple of totally free "Download Streaming Video" and "Convert Streaming Video on the Fly" websites, where you plug in the URL of the video you want to watch, and it will download and/or convert the video for you to save locally. I couldn't get them to work with Hulu, however. They seem to be geared toward youtube-type sites. Maybe it's because the REAL URL isn't really displayed by the browser when viewing these videos.
Note 2: I just tried Replay Media Catcher to see if it would capture Netflix streaming. Alas, no, it won't. Seems like Netflix added something else in the mix, or isn't flash-based.
Replay Media Catcher Link: http://www.applian.com/replay-media-catcher/
Now, as far as legalities go, Applian is a legit company. I don't know what the legal deal is with capturing streaming. So, I'll leave that decision up to you.
Netflix
by Natronx - 3/14/08 9:36 PM In reply to: How to download Hulu shows by SlikksterNetflix uses Silverlight, Microsoft's Flash alternative.
http://visitmix.com/blogs/Joshua/Netflix-Uses-Silverlight-for-Video-on-Demand/
Well, guess what?
by Slikkster - 3/15/08 5:13 AM In reply to: Netflix by NatronxThanks for the info on Netflix and Silverlight. I went back to the Applian homepage to see if they deal with that, and apparently, THEY DO!
They've got a streaming capture program that does much more than just Flash called "Replay Screencast", and it's cheaper than Replay Media Catcher, no less. They say it will record Netflix streaming and convert it into a Windows Media file you can take anywhere.
It also let's you create your own tutorials and videos by recording the screen activity. Anyway, I don't want to sound like I own the company, so I'll let people do their own investigating on that. But I'm going to see if I can get a cheap upgrade price on it to test it out on Netflix streams.
Replay Screencast
by Natronx - 3/15/08 10:32 PM In reply to: Well, guess what? by SlikksterDude, wouldn't Replay Screencast record mouse movements and record "now buffering" messages on your screen. I'm sure the program serves a useful purpose, but recording a 2 hour movie doesn't seem to be something it would do very well.
I don't think you should worry about being a hacker, and instead just pay Netflix $9 a month for all you can eat movies.
Sorry if I'm being a little harsh.
Actually
by Slikkster - 3/16/08 5:50 AM In reply to: Replay Screencast by NatronxThe Screencast program lets you define a window size that you want to record, so it's not getting things outside that window. However, it takes far too much horsepower to actually get a good recording, since the Netflix stream has to stream in real time, while the Screencast program is trying to record it. Way too choppy, and terrible frame rates.
As for "hacking", keep in mind the whole idea here is to make these videos PORTABLE, so you can take them with you on an Ipod or similar. The idea is that you wouldn't need an internet connection or appropriate browser to view them. If I have a video Ipod (not the Touch) or other video portable, I just want to watch a video on my own time without sitting in front of my wi-fi laptop or home desktop. Comprendo? That's what this whole exercise is all about.
You wouldn't want to have to sit in front of your home desktop or wi-fi laptop to hear mp3's, would you? Why not videos, then?
I HAVE a Netflix account, otherwise I wouldn't be able to test the capturing.
Netflix doesn't offer portability
by Natronx - 3/16/08 9:17 PM In reply to: Actually by SlikksterAs far as portability, I don't think that Netflix is offering that for $9 a month. If you want movies on your iPod, check out iTunes.
I don't want to see anyone banned from CNET so you may want to check out the CNET usage policies under 'Piracy or Unlawful Activities' before go on any further:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7600_7-5565331-1.html
Peace out.
Look...
by Slikkster - 3/17/08 5:37 AM In reply to: Netflix doesn't offer portability by NatronxNowhere have I advocated "sharing" or uploading videos. So let's be clear about that. This really goes to the old question of what's acceptable for someone who's ALREADY PAID for the content (in the case of Netflix). Under no circumstances am I here to say anyone should be distributing private content. I'm talking about personal portable use only, and I think that's pretty clear from my previous posts.
Thanks for your concern.
Upon further review:
by Slikkster - 3/17/08 5:50 PM In reply to: (NT) it's illegal to keep copies of rented movies by robstakAfter reading some of the "Terms of Service" notes on Hulu.com, it appears that even saving an offline file would probably fit into the "copying" restriction they employ in the TOS.
My intentions were honorable, but if mods feel this thread promotes piracy (which is certainly not my intent), please feel free to delete the thread.
Apologies to those who may have taken offense. I was only interested in bringing portability to these videos; nothing else.
Fair Use
by Renegade Knight - 3/31/08 11:29 AM In reply to: Upon further review: by SlikksterYour method is nothing more than a digital VCR. On regualr TV it's 100% legitimate fair use. The concept really doesn't change when you go digital. You are recording a show for later enjoyment. In neither case are you supposed to share it and that's fair enough since anyone can get on Hulu anwyway.
The only issue is the TOS restricting your fair use. That TOS is different than copyright law.
Screw em
by Nicholas Buenk - 3/31/08 4:00 PM In reply to: Fair Use by Renegade KnightIf they write such an absurd TOS, just ignore it. *** for tat.
But No right
by Kermode - 8/6/08 1:06 PM In reply to: Fair Use by Renegade KnightNo, its not the same when its digital, and everything changes. It's important to realize, and most don't, the you don't have a RIGHT to record things from TV - the US Supreme court never said that. If the studios could have prevented you from doing that they would (they tried). However, this time when there is new technology they are awake from the start, and they will try to prevent you from keeping copies if they can - and since you don't have a right to record, they can try all the want.
right to record
by kulro - 9/6/08 7:18 AM In reply to: But No right by Kermodein reply to no right to record. you are incorrect. look up sony betamax case on wiki and you will find "Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 464 U.S. 417 (1984)[1], also known as the "Betamax case", was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States which ruled that the making of individual copies of complete television shows for purposes of time-shifting does not constitute copyright infringement, but is fair use. The Court also ruled that the manufacturers of home video recording devices, such as Betamax or other VCRs (referred to as VTRs in the case), cannot be liable for infringement. The case was a boon to the home video market as it created a legal safe haven for the technology, which also significantly benefited the entertainment industry through the sale of pre-recorded movies."
Studios hate this and since they lost the case they have tried everything including orwellian disinformation to try to change the outcome. It is the digital millennium copyright act that congress passed that said you can't circumvent digital rights management which can be in transmissions. no where does it say you cant record. so if the stream is unencrypted then it is not illegal to record.
That's Fair use
by Renegade Knight - 11/13/08 12:06 PM In reply to: right to record by kulroThats fair use. Your point is noted though and to be honest I rely on that intrepretation when I record things for later viewing that I have no intention of keeping.
guys get a life. lock me up for recording the Radio Station
by The_killershark - 11/13/08 2:02 AM In reply to: But No right by KermodeOr better yet when the VCR came out. Who didn’t rescored TV shows? Oh, wait we have TiVo better lock them up to. Who isn’t recording TV shows and what about Pay Preview movies? What about dish network and the list of subscribers. Wow a lot of people to lock up. Here is a hint andyone who works for the big Tv corporations come and sue us or blah blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Blah blah blah blah blah blah
Oh don’t forget if you copy a real program such as windows, MS Office or any real program then that is illegal.
So anyways I rescored from the radio station the rolling stones who wants a copy?
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