How To Watch Your Favorite Content Offline

For most streaming media’s history, the only way to watch your favorite content offline was to rip or copy it. Until 2007, we started to see the first proper video download services such as iTunes and Amazon VOD (Video On Demand) offer downloadable files for a cost. Around this time, YouTube also began experimenting with streaming movies and TV shows through Google Video, but it closed in 2012 after failing to catch on.

In 2009, Netflix released their version of video downloads with Watch Instantly Downloads. It even launched a separate storefront called “Download & Keep,” which allowed you to rent and purchase certain films for download and keep for life, regardless of whether or not they were still available from Netflix themselves. With these features, we finally saw an option for downloading and watching content supported by the studios.

Tips To Watch Content Offline

Now imagine you’re on a long trip and want to watch a movie from your favorite streaming service, but there’s no internet connection available. In this post, we’ll show you some ways to download content for offline viewing. Keep reading to learn how.

1) Use a Video Downloader

Video downloading services allow you to search for videos online and download them directly through their webpage without installing any additional software. The download software specializes in downloading high-quality videos from online sources. It currently supports over 100 file-hosting sites for download and has a wide variety of resolutions available for each service. Of course, quality will vary greatly depending on your internet connection, but it’s good to know that this app has you covered if the only version of a show or movie you want is 480p or lower.

2) Download YouTube videos

YouTube has always had a “Download” option on every video page, allowing you to save the file in either 3gp, mp4, or WebM format with opportunities for quality ranging from 144p-1080p HD. Depending on your internet connection speed, this may take some time, but at least now, people with slower connections have an option. This feature is also supported by channels allowing users with verified accounts to specify what resolution they want their video delivered in before uploading it to the service.

3) Use an Android media streamer

Most smartphones and tablets come with a built-in media player, which allows you to play files from your device’s storage or microSD card (if applicable). You can use this method to store content on your mobile device for offline viewing. Generally, there is at least one app available for each streaming video service that supports this feature, such as Kodi. This option works best if you plan on taking only 1-2 movies or shows with you and need something that will work well with limited support and minimal features.

4) Use Dropbox

Dropbox doesn’t offer any official support for video downloads, but it does have a hidden feature that allows you to download any file from the service. To enable it to go to Dropbox.com and log in, then click on the cog icon at the top right of your browser window and select “Preferences.” Next, click on “Mobile” in the left sidebar, then check “Download files for offline use” under Mobile Docs options.

Now you can access all of your videos, images, and other files through Dropbox no matter where you are. If this option is too cumbersome for your needs, upload your media to Dropbox. Then open up the mobile version of their site (m.dropbox.com) on your smartphone or tablet, sign in to your account and download your files.

5) Use the PlayOn Desktop Application

If you want more options for supported services and playback formats, try using Plex instead, which allows users to manage media libraries on their computers. Plex can then be set up to automatically sync content with supported streaming apps running on your mobile device, allowing you to take your entire movie collection with you no matter where you go.

6) Watch Using Network Stream Ripping

For the genuinely tech-savvy internet pirates out there, one option for offline viewing is by creating your video rips by capturing the video data directly from your network connection before it begins streaming to your device. This gives users complete control over quality and file size but requires specialized equipment such as capture cards which act like DVRs for online TV & Video.

No more excuses, season premieres are coming. Fortunately, you have the solution in your pocket. Choose one of these methods, and you’ll never miss a new episode of your favorite show again.