A mundane question i'm afraid but hoping for some useful advice.

My old you tube downloader was refusing to download a large percent of several videos- failure- so I removed it, intending to replace it with another. Unfortunately all the free video downloaders for Youtube seem to have viruses, can anyone recommend one that's virus free?

Thanking in advance.

There are two that I've used for a long time with no problems.

1st is the FF add on, and my favorite Download Flash and Video. Available for Chrome also.

The 2nd is a general purpose, that is it can download anything and that is Free Download Manager. When installed it adds a plugin to FF that shows up on the top of the video when you mouse over. Or it can capture a download by clicking on a recognized link such as .zip, .iso, and many others.

Another one I have but rarely use it as the above do the job near 100% of the time and that is YouTube video and audio downloader

Not sure why you think all the free downloaders have viruses. If you are seeing issues with them then be more suspect that your machine already has one but not necessarily from them.

There are also online downloader. In this case you don't have to install any software. You just can google "youtube download online".

As a Mac user, I use the “MacX YouTube Downloader App.” I haven’t experienced a virus in years.

Still using Realplayer despite some bad press from some people. Never had a problem with it myself and very easy to use. Still ....... I'm sure someone will come along soon and say otherwise. That's how it is when you ask for advice. Have to read it all and make your own choice.

I'm using YTD video downloader with Chrome. It seems to catch everything. The only drawback which is minor is that I have to copy the URL to my clipboard before it automatically pastes into the proggy and begins the download.

I have "video downloadhelper"

nicely does the job, it can download many formats including streams.

I have "video downloadhelper"

nicely does the job, it can download many formats including streams.

+1 for video "downloadhelper", it just works

Video DownloadHelper 5 is not nearly as good as it once was up to version 4.

4K Video Downloader is very good for YT and many other popular sites. It could have been indisputably the best of all but it needs some more obscure sites to be added by the developers.

Never use any "youtube downloader" programs, 99% of the time the installer comes packed with browser hijackers and toolbars.

Just use this website: http://keepvid.com/

Works for all the popular video hosting sites.

you might also want to find a youtube downloader that does playlists so you do not have to cut and past each one if there is a list of songs or videos you want

"Youtube Downloader HD"

Can also download full HD (1080p) where some others have problems.

http://www.youtubedownloaderhd.com/

For the real freaks there is specialised downloader for the still rare 4k videos (only makes sense if you have a suitable display (UHD/4k TV in the 50 inch+ range).

If I only could remember the name

I have "video downloadhelper"

nicely does the job, it can download many formats including streams.

+1 for video "downloadhelper", it just works

I too have been using this but find the download now comes with an embedded 3D barcode in top left corner, annoying.

Is there a way around this please?

???

Are we using the same thing.

I use (among others) "Video Download Helper 5.4.2" extension for Firefox.

Just downloaded two videos (720p) and can't see a "3D bar code" on the downloaded video.

BTW: "without a virus".

Was just thinking why you mention that.

Be aware that many to most freeware programs nowadays come with some unwanted "extras" (fiddling with the browser e.g.) when installing by default.

This might also apply to the tool I mentioned (not sure, forgot).

Don't simply continue with "Default"/"Standard" installation.

Always do "User specific"/"Custom" and watch out what is "on offer".

Uncheck unwanted stuff.

Doesn't meant there is ugly stuff out that fiddles around without asking.

???

Are we using the same thing.

I use (among others) "Video Download Helper 5.4.2" extension for Firefox.

Just downloaded two videos (720p) and can't see a "3D bar code" on the downloaded video.

I also use 5.4.2 for FF and get the 3D barcode (link to the Video Downloader) on every download? Don't know how to get rid of it.

I have tested these as the best:

https://downloader.im/

http://offliberty.com/

For Android http://tubemate.net/

Thanks so much for all the useful advice TV posters- so many choices, thank you.

I also use 5.4.2 for FF and get the 3D barcode (link to the Video Downloader) on every download? Don't know how to get rid of it.

I tried to find whats behind.

Seems connected with "convert local files" and an additionally installed "libav" converter?

I don't have that and don't need it to download youtube videos.

I highly recommend http://www.dvdvideosoft.com/

Apart from the "Free YouTube Download" there are numerous other media apps for file conversion and similar.

Often handy to download a music vid from YT and use one of the converters to convert to MP3 and just keep the music....well, it is for me anyway!

There IS some "adware" but never had a virus in many years of using these apps - do pay attention when you install though, to avoid browser changes and the like.

I use http://www.freemake.com/

Sometimes there are copyright issues and won't download, not the fault of the downloader, just search for another download that does not have copyright issues.

As "KhunBENQ" said Don't simply continue with "Default"/"Standard" installation.

Always do "User specific"/"Custom" and watch out what is "on offer".

Uncheck unwanted stuff.

I also use 5.4.2 for FF and get the 3D barcode (link to the Video Downloader) on every download? Don't know how to get rid of it.

I tried to find whats behind.

Seems connected with "convert local files" and an additionally installed "libav" converter?

I don't have that and don't need it to download youtube videos.

Thanks for the help KhunBENQ.

Yes, it appears you are correct. I had installed ConvertHelper3Setup.exe file as the Downloadhelper said I needed it to download some Youtube videos - not all. If I uninstall ConvertHelper3Setup.exe then the bar code does not appear but I cannot download everything I need, so reinstalled it for now. May try some other methods listed on this useful thread. Thnx guys and to the o/p for bringing it up.

Somebody knows a way to convert Spotify albums and playlists to MP3 that works?

Somebody knows a way to convert Spotify albums and playlists to MP3 that works?

http://www.topsoftreviews.net/spotify-to-mp3-converter/