Easily save YouTube videos without apps/add-ons/terminal

[Syanide]

Found this on OMG! UBUNTU, tested it myself on Ubuntu.

You don't need any special applications, browser add-ons or terminal commands to save YouTube videos in Ubuntu:

1. Open the YouTube video you want in your browser. Let it load completely, with the quality setting you prefer (SD, HQ, HD). Do not close the browser at this point.

2. Open Nautilus and go to /tmp (File System -> tmp). You will find a file named Flash-something. If you have thumbnail previews enabled for video files, it will show up immediately.

3. Copy that file to another folder. Rename it as you please, with the extension .flv (not necessary, it'll just ease up organization and recognition of the file) . You can now close the browser/tab.

4. Click on it, it will play in your media player.

And that's it! What the OMG!U article didn't say, is that it works with other browsers as well (tested it with Chrome), and other pages (DailyMotion). And I'm most certain it works with other distros, too :) Enjoy it!

[virgo89]

can it work for HD videos?

[TemperingPick]

can it work for HD videos?

Sure does.

Great find!

[SomethingDark]

Works with Fedora. I am very happy right now. :D

[deep1234]

This is only for Youtube or can work with any other site?

[Shea J]

This is only for Youtube or can work with any other site?

I think its for all flash videos, they get cached to that folder.

I think its just easier to install youtube downloader and click on a button under the video and it does it for you.

[Syanide]

Actually as of late, this trick doesn't work, because Flash now stores videos in browser's cache: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/09/saving-flash-videos-in-linux-tmp-no-longer-works/

Too bad.

[amon91]

Still, there are Firefox/Chrome extensions that pretty much do the same in a hassle-free fashion. It's still an extra thing to install but it's not really a big deal. Also, built-in FLV playback FTW.

[Anthonyd]

Does it work with Internet Explorer?

[TemperingPick]

Does it work with Internet Explorer?

Sure, if you can get it to run on Linux.

[Pupik]

Does it work with Internet Explorer?

Just go to "\Users\YourWindowsUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files" if you're using IE in Windows.

[c3ntury]

Damn you Flash for ruining this neat trick!

[Motoko.]

Jawesome!

[Pupik]

Damn you Flash for ruining this neat trick!

Flash didn't ruin anything and since YouTube allowed the videos to be cached in the temp folder back in 2009, there's no reason for this not to work.

edit: Just tested it to be sure, and yeah.. works without any problems.

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/9109/32529223.png

[Flawed]

I just use the Firefox addon FlashGot. Works great with 90% of sites.

[Ambroos]

www.keepvid.com, gives you all Youtube links to all possible formats!

[tensegrity]

If you set the cache_control http header this trick of retrieving files from /tmp directories would work for most media streaming, grooveshark, youtube,etc, etc ..