Is there a way to download a flash video file and watch it later, offline?

[golfer1john]

I live in an RV, and use various wi-fi internet connections in RV parks, of various speeds and bandwidths.  It is often impossible to watch video online, because of frequent pauses and disconnections.  With most file formats I can download them in a background task, and watch the video later without using an internet connection.

Is it possible to do this with flash video files?  How?

Thanks,

John

[_maria_]

Hi,

We don't provide a method for downloading and viewing Flash video offline, however, there are a number of third party utilities that facilitate this.  Performing an internet search for 'download flash video' will return many results.  Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any as I've not used them.

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Maria

[golfer1john]

Can someone tell me one they have used successfully?  I've tried "Flash Video Downloader" for Chrome, and it's not working for me.  It shows lots of little files to download, none of which I can play as a video file.  A sample:  https://vod.livestream.com/events/000000000045c6c5/058d05c8-e9da-48a0-9f02-785d2ce51aa0_2320Seg1-Fra...

[_maria_]

Hi,

If you're getting file fragments or files with no extension it's possible the video is hosted in such a way that the content provider does not allow for users to download the videos.  This is not an area I'm familiar with as I haven't downloaded Flash video and can't recommend an option.

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Maria

[jeromiec83223024]

Downloading commercial video content for viewing later isn't really a use-case that content providers are looking to provide.  They generally get paid based on the ads that you watch, and there's no way to monetize your offline viewing.  At the same time, newer streaming video technologies have come into widespread commercial use, both on DRM and HTML5 fronts, and it's unlikely that you're going to find a lot of content that you actually want to watch in the way that you're going about it.

In the US at least, Amazon Prime lets you cache shows offline for later viewing, and the cost is pretty reasonable.  Their tablets are super cheap, and they support HDMI output, so you can hook them to the TV in your RV.  That's usually what I do when I'm going to be on a plane for a while, or out of network range with the RV.  It's definitely cheaper than an amplifier for a 4G hotspot, or an expensive wifi antenna setup.

[golfer1john]

It's not on Amazon Prime, it is on the provider's web site.  There are no ads, I have already paid to get access to it.  My problem is that the wifi I have in most parks is inadequate for online viewing, but OK for a download in the background.  I have no problem downloading other formats, either on this same web site or others.  Only Flash is a problem.

[jeromiec83223024 · Accepted solution]

Well, the answer is that you can't download all Flash video and watch it offline.  If the content provider is making a .flv video available via HTTP, it's pretty easy.  If they're using the more advanced video distribution capabilities available via Flash's premium video features ( TV Everywhere platform | Adobe Primetime ), then probably not.

If you feel that your subscription with this particular content provider entitles you to offline copies of their videos, I'd suggest having that conversation with their tech support folks.  There are simply too many possible ways to stream video inside the Flash ecosystem to give you definitive answers without inside knowledge of how that content provider has engineered their video distribution systems.

[golfer1john]

So, if it can be done, it's easy.  If not easy, impossible.

Thanks.