# Recording streaming video on computer **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 23, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286 "2015-06-23T23:04:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/1 "2015-06-23T23:04:06Z")
I’m trying to download video clips from the internet for research and reference. I have no problem getting them from YouTube, but I’m having all kind of trouble with, I believe, Flash-type streaming vids. I have been trying to use Quicktime with Audioflower, with mixed success; and am trying a free trial of something called Snapz, which so far has not satisfied. What programs are out there to accomplish this? I am willing to pay if the thing really is going to solve my problems, though free is better of course if the quality/reliability/ease of use is the same. I’m on an iMac with Yosemite. Thanks for any and all suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/2 "2015-06-24T04:10:35Z")
I used to use[DownloadHelper](http://www.downloadhelper.net/), and it may work for you, but after one of the Firefox upgrades it seemed to stop working right. I use another one now at home, but I can’t remember the name right now. Try a search for video download programs, if you haven’t already, otherwise just keep trying different ones until you find one that works for you. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/3 "2015-06-24T13:19:14Z")
Remember the sites are trying to prevent you from saving the vids. So non-standard implementations abound as they try to erect barriers to downloading. So you may need a different tool for each website you want to scavenge. And some sites may defeat every tool in your arsenal. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/4 "2015-06-24T13:45:52Z")
JDownloader has a lot of plugins for different sites. I generally use it to get stuff off YouTube as it is more user friendly than other methods I have seen. ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/5 "2015-06-24T14:11:04Z")
You can, of course, use something like [Camtasia](https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwqqmsBRDGy_3h_eS80jYSJACS95CvGiVwVRix9XmApcBi4PjaFD3zMOBfO9vbZkeZIXJe-BoCYrbw_wcB) to actually record whatever is playing on your computer. It’s not cheap, but it always works and is also a decent video editor. You can do the free trial and see if you think it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/6 "2015-06-24T21:31:13Z")
Thanks for the replies. I know there are lots of downloaders, and I have used a few. Trying every single one seems like an impossibly time-consuming task for me. I’m wondering now if the problem is either in my computer, or operator error. I asked a friend to try a couple of the vids I was having trouble with and he was able to do it without a problem. I will look into Camtasia. ---
**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/7 "2015-06-25T03:39:55Z")
I have not tried it but here is a free alternative to payware such as Camtasia: [https://obsproject.com/](https://obsproject.com/) ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/8 "2015-06-25T14:14:03Z")
> [@Ornery\_Bob](#): > > You can, of course, use something like [Camtasia](https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwqqmsBRDGy_3h_eS80jYSJACS95CvGiVwVRix9XmApcBi4PjaFD3zMOBfO9vbZkeZIXJe-BoCYrbw_wcB) to actually record whatever is playing on your computer. It’s not cheap, but it always works and is also a decent video editor. You can do the free trial and see if you think it’s worth it. Macs have that by default using Quicktime Player. To get better sound quality the freeware “Soundflower” can be used. > **[Record your Mac screen the easy way. Here's how to do it](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/record-your-mac-screen-the-easy-way-heres-how-to-do-it/)** > > You don't need any fancy tools or apps to capture video of your Mac's screen; the feature is built right in. > **[GitHub - RogueAmoeba/Soundflower-Original: MacOS system extension that allows applications to...](https://github.com/RogueAmoeba/Soundflower-Original)** > > MacOS system extension that allows applications to pass audio to other applications. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recording-streaming-video-on-computer/723286/9 "2015-06-26T17:29:17Z")
Thanks for the replies. I upgraded my RAM because I thought that might be slowing the capture speed, and although everything else now runs faster, capturing still isn’t working as it should. I think it must be either processor speed or video card that just can’t ingest at the rate required. So I’ll have to get someone else to do this.