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Downloading a video from a website can be tricky, especially if you are using a Mac computer. Sometimes the website doesn’t allow you to download the video directly, or the download button simply does not work. You may want to download a video to watch offline or to share with others. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to download a video from a website on your Mac. In this article, we will cover the main methods, their pros and cons, and additional tips to help you accomplish this task.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Downloading Videos from Websites on Mac
One of the biggest challenges of downloading videos from websites on Mac is that many websites use streaming technology to deliver videos. This means that videos are not directly downloaded to your computer, making it difficult to save them for offline viewing. Some websites also use graphics overlays like the "Download" button that do not work.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we jump into the methods of downloading videos from websites on your Mac, you need to prepare the following things:
• A web browser on your Mac computer
• A reliable video downloader tool
Method 1: Download Videos from Websites Using Video Downloader Software
Video downloader software is the most efficient and reliable tool to download videos from websites on your Mac. Follow the steps below to download videos using video downloader software:
1. Download and install video downloader software on your Mac.
2. Open your web browser and go to the website with the video you want to download.
3. Copy the URL of the video from the address bar of your browser.
4. Open the video downloader software and click on the "Add URL" button.
5. Paste the URL of the video in the "Add URL" box of your video downloader software.
6. Click on the "Download" button and wait for the software to download the video.
Pros:
• Fast and efficient
• Can download multiple videos at once
• Supports multiple video formats
Cons:
• You have to download and install the software
• Some video downloader software doesn’t work with all types of websites
• Sometimes the software can have download errors
Method 2: Download Videos from Websites Using Browser Extensions
Browser extensions are another popular way to download videos from websites on your Mac. Some popular browser extensions are Video DownloadHelper and Stream Video Downloader. Follow the steps below to download videos using browser extensions:
1. Go to the App Store and install the browser extension of your choice.
2. Open your web browser and go to the website with the video you want to download.
3. Click on the browser extension icon to activate the video downloader.
4. Select the video resolution and format you want to download.
5. Click on the "Download" button and wait for the video to download.
Pros:
• Easy to use
• No need to download and install additional software
• Supports multiple video formats
Cons:
• Browser extensions can be limited to certain websites
• Sometimes extensions can have download errors
• Extensions require frequent updates
Method 3: Download Videos from Websites Using Online Video Downloaders
Online video downloaders are a third method to download videos from websites on your Mac. Some popular online video downloaders include ClipConverter, SaveFrom, and Online Video Converter. Follow the steps below to download videos using online video downloaders:
1. Go to your preferred online video downloader website.
2. Copy the URL of the video you want to download from the website.
3. Paste the URL in the input box of the online downloader website.
4. Choose your desired video format and click on the "Download" button.
5. Wait for the website to generate the download link and click on the link to start the download.
Pros:
• No need to download and install additional software
• Supports multiple video formats
• Easy to use
Cons:
• Online video downloaders can sometimes be slow
• The quality of the downloaded video may not be as good as the original
• Online video downloaders are not available for all websites
Why Can’t I Download Videos from Websites on My Mac?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to download videos from websites on your Mac:
1. The website may not allow video downloads.
Fix: Some website owners restrict downloading videos from their websites due to copyright issues. In this case, you should respect their policy, or you may be subject to legal consequences.
2. The video is being streamed rather than downloaded.
Fix: Use a video downloader software to extract the video from the website.
3. The "Download" button or extension does not work.
Fix: Try another method of downloading videos from websites on your Mac.
Additional Tips
• Always check the video format before downloading to ensure it is compatible with your device.
• Download only from trusted websites. Some websites may contain malicious files that can harm your computer.
• Before downloading a video, make sure you have enough storage space on your device.
• Some websites require a login or subscription to access the video. Ensure you have the credentials to log in or subscribe.
5 FAQs about Downloading Videos from Websites on Mac
Q1: Can I download videos from YouTube?
A: Yes, you can download videos from YouTube using video downloader software, browser extensions, or online video downloaders.
Q2: Can I download videos from websites with a password?
A: Yes, if you have the password, you can download videos from websites that require a login or subscription.
Q3: Can I download videos from a website in batches?
A: Yes, you can use video downloader software to download multiple videos from the same website simultaneously.
Q4: Can I download videos from a website in different formats?
A: Yes, many video downloader tools and extensions allow you to choose from different video formats and resolutions.
Q5: How do I extract audio from a video on a website?
A: Use a video downloader software that has an audio extraction feature to extract audio from a video on a website.
In Conclusion
Downloading videos from websites on your Mac is easy and straightforward with the methods we listed above. Depending on your preference, you can choose from video downloader software, browser extensions, or online video downloaders to extract videos from websites. Remember to follow additional tips and check video formats before downloading to avoid errors and ensure the quality of your downloads.
