Downloading, Saving, and Playing FLV files. The HOW-TO thread

[GrowthMaster]

I'm posting this here in case some people aren't sure of how to download and playback some of the Flash video files that have been shared here and elsewhere.

Saving FLV (Flash Video) files to your hard drive...

The Quick Way... This is a technique which requires no set-up and is good if you seldom have to save FLV files.

1. Go to http://www.KeepVid.com/
2. Insert the web address of the video file which you would like to save.
3. The site will generate a clickable link so that you can right-click and save the file to your hard drive. You will need to rename the file with any file name you'd like, but make sure it ends with .FLV.
   
   *Note, KeepVid unfortunately does not work with every Flash Video website.

The One-Click Way (The best)

This lets you set up your browser for one-click saving of FLV files. PLUS, if you're downloading from Youtube, it will fill in the filename for you based on the videos caption (you can still change it before saving). Very handy!

1. Download and Install the Firefox web browser (free)
2. Download and Install the Fast Video Download extension (also free).
3. You will have to close and re-open Firefox in order for the extension to activate.
4. You will see a new button appear in the lower right corner of your Firefox browser window. This is the Fast Video Download button.
5. Now, navigate to any flash video page (this extension will work with most, but not every Flash video site).
6. Once the video begins playing, click on the Fast Video Download button. (Bug note: There are some instances where the first click causes a "No Source Data" error. Allowing the video to load a bit more and clicking the button once more will work)
7. You will be prompted to save the file at a location on your hard drive. The filename will be automatically filled in with the video caption (if you're downloading from YouTube), but you can also change the name to something different. Make sure however, that the filename ends with .FLV
8. Click save and you're done! You can continue to browse while Firefox downloads the video file in the background.

Playing saved FLV files from your hard drive

Unfortunately a lot of video players do not support playing FLV Flash Video files. Even the official Flash Player from Adobe will not play them (this is because FLV files are intended to be embedded within an actual FLASH SWF file).

Here is my suggestion for a good and free FLV player, which works on both Windows and Mac platforms.

VLC Player

Not only does it play FLV, but many other popular video formats as well.

One it's installed, just open your FLV file from within the program.