Thanks to Digital Signposts today, I came across this useful FLV converter site which allows you to download and convert YouTube flv videos into more easily accessible file formats such as avi for playing offline. The service is similar to Keepvid which I covered in a similar post recently, but doesn't need a dedicated flv player to work. Both services are useful. However, my personal preference would be Keepvid as it is compatible with a wide range of video sharing sites and along with the flv player offers the best of both worlds.
I use Keepvid and then go to http://www.zamzar.com and from there you can convert them to any number of file types including .mov (ipod compatible) files.
Posted by: Mike Wood | 06/12/2006 at 06:06
Thanks for this Mike. Worth checking out.
Joe
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/12/2006 at 06:23
I've started to use iTube - this allows to copy and paste the URL from YouTube and then converts it to either an mp4 file or an iPod ready file.
Posted by: Lynne | 06/12/2006 at 10:14
Interesting ... Are you using iPods to show the videos in class or letting the pupils access the files at home Lynne?
I like the flv player as it associates any flv file on your computer so you can just open it by double clicking on it in the normal way. But then I'm not looking at using YouTube videos on an iPod (at the moment anyway)
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/12/2006 at 10:33
At the moment we don't have iPods which will show video. As YouTube is blocked in school this allowed me to download the clips at home so I can show them in class. Seems to work quite well and little loss of sound quality or picture.
Posted by: Lynne | 06/12/2006 at 12:32
This certainly makes sense. It also means you have complete control over what your pupils see.
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/12/2006 at 12:37
That's also how I use it. Youtube has been blocked in my district, although for some reason, right now it's not, but I wouldn't dare send my students to youtube on their own while in school, so this does give me control over what I show them. Thanks for the information on itube. I'll look into that. It could save time over zamzar because the method I currently use requires downloading the flash video and then reuploading it and then redownloading it again as a .mov file. I'm all for saving time when possible.
Posted by: Mike Wood | 06/12/2006 at 12:59
Thanks again for sharing your ideas Lynne and Mike. Very useful.
Posted by: Joe Dale | 06/12/2006 at 14:24