How can I save flash (.swf) video onto my HDD?

by 12 replies
15
OK, this is what I want:
I have access to a couple of webinar replays and online video tuturials (all in .swf format) and I would like to either download them onto my HDD or capture them using a screen recorder. I only want this for my own personal use.

This is driving me nuts: I've spent days researching and checking out various free screen recording tools, and except for one product (called Replay Video Capture - link here), they were all either producing really bad quality or the files were becoming too large (like 2-4MB per min recording) or I could not get the sound recorded.

I have also downloaded CamStudio but it seems full of bugs as I am getting all sorts of error messages. I even installed the Divx codec as per some Youtube tutorial but it does not seem to work or accept it.

I am on Vista and use Firefox. So then I did what was supposed to be possible which is download the .swf files from the "Page info >media tab" etc, then "save as" but the files are only like 50kb small and would not play or start to play. I think I need to watch the flash movies to the end before they are cached in order to download? Well, I have done this with a few test movies, but still it does not seem to save the actual video file.

Any ideas on doing this or any recommendations on a cheap or free screen recorder for this?

I am also wondering what the best file format is for a screen recorder, in order to have limited file sizes .... one webinar I would like to record/save is 1.5hrs long ... .

Thanks a lot
#main internet marketing discussion forum #flash #hdd #save #swf #video
  • You google "download swf" or "download flash videos" or substitute download for save.

    Or you look at the source, see the location of it and save it... or you use IE and save the page as a web archive... or you use a FF plugin...

    Lots of ways.

    Using Google will reveal them all.
    • [1] reply
    • Garrie, I know how to use Google to research. My problem is that the method of saving what appears to be the embedded files in Firefox does not in fact seem to be saving them. The file names with the .swf are in my folder after saving, but they are very small (i.e. 5oKB) and would not start playing.
      Firefox plugin: I have also tried CaptureFox but it does not record sound for me.

      Lots of ways, but I need some specific advise.
  • The alternative method that you can use is by using download manager such as Flashget and Internet Download Manager which both you can easily obtain in the internet. For Flashget, use the 'download all' option and select the file that you want, while for Internet Download Manager, use the Grabber tool and run the wizard.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
  • download realplayer, it has a new plugin that gives you a 'save this video' option when viewing any type of media on the web

    it's great for ripping stuff off youtube or anywhere else with streaming video
  • What Nicholas said is right on. Real player is the easiest in the world for downloading videos. It won't download a video with proper protections in place, but it will grab about 90% of what's out there, including Youtube.

    You can download a free converter to convert it to a usable format like mpeg.
  • @Nicholas
    @BeauJustin

    Thanks...that sounds nice and easy -- will look into this
    They seem to have a free and paid-for version (SP).
  • Yes, this sounds like a screen recorder tool, similar to the one I mentioned in my original post. Probably good for live streaming data (as the name says ) or file formats that are difficult to download.
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
    • [1] reply
    • Get the firefox plugin 'Download Helper', I use it all the time to download flash videos (great for youtube videos as well) Then all you need is a free flash player and you're good to go.
  • SWF Catcher for Firefox - Sothink Free software

    its free... your ALT+C will be a shortcut to download the swfs
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