Personal Technology Tips in Plain English
Posts tagged video
How To Download YouTube Videos
Mar 6th
Sometimes you need a video clip that’s available online for offline use – like using it as an example for a class or workshop.
Other times, you may want to be able to play it offline for your own review at a later time when it’s more convenient for you, or when you know you won’ t have internet access (like on a plane).
There’s definitely a bunch of sites available now that let you download videos from YouTube and other video sharing sites out there.
Usually all you have to do is copy/paste the video page URL from Youtube, MetaCafe or other video site into the form on the video download site and you’re all set to go.
But once in awhile, your favorite Youtube video grabber site can’t download the video file. That’s when you have to go looking for other options.
Other than Kisstube and Vixy, I found another favorite that seems to work for me . . .
SaveVid.com works just the same. This site does give a couple of download options including flv format, mp4 as well as HD video which YouTube presents sometimes.
SaveVid.com also shares some of the videos that others have used the site to download so you can get a sense of what people are watching and downloading.
Do you have any other favorite sites to download videos from online video platforms? Please add them in the comments below.
Samsung Blackjack Tip: How To Perform A Hard Master Reset on the Samsung Blackjack i607 [video]
Jul 31st
Although I clearly still love the Samsung Blackjack even after the release of the iPhone, I came across a little glitch last week (which is a MICROSOFT PROBLEM, not Samsung Blackjack issue) with Windows Mobile. It would not let me re-boot past the Windows Mobile start-up screen. This problem started after I upgraded to ActiveSync 4.5.
AT&T Wireless / Blackjack tech support told me to go back to ActiveSync 4.2 becuase 4.5 wasn’t as stable in their experience. So uninstalling I went.
In the meantime, I had to get my phone back to normal so I could re-sync with the old ActiveSync.
After trying the normal troubleshooting, I just said, it was easier to do a hard master reset and wipe the phone clean. However, AT&T tier 1 support didn’t know how, since you had to be at the Windows Mobile desktop to do a “hard reset” supposedly.
Luckily, I asked to go to Tier 2 support, and as I guessed, there was another way.
Read the rest of this entry »
Convert & Watch Video On Your Samsung Blackjack (Windows Mobile Phone)
Mar 21st
Although watching streaming video over the cellular network is neat, the major problem is that you need a really good 3G signal to get crisp, non-jerky video. What’s the solution?
Well, I’ve now figured out that one way is to load up my Samsung Blackjack (on Cingular / AT&T Wireless) with various video that I’ve downloaded to watch on the go. The question was how do I convert video on the PC to the file format that can be watched on the Blackjack cell phone’s Windows Media Player?
Enter our one of our favorite file converstion websites: Zamzar.com. You’ll see that they’ve added support for .3GP file format conversions.
Just select the file, indicate you want to convert TO .3GP FORMAT, and off you go! All you have to do is move it to your microSD Card and play on demand! Your friends and co-workers will be amazed at your super-cellphone-powers!
I love tech, gadgets and the web. Hope you pick-up a useful tip or two here today that helps you use technology to your advantage! Better yet, why not share your own expertise in a comment on a post today to help the other readers that land here for answers!