Free Programs

FVD Suite IE Plugin

Although it could use a line or two of explanation on how to use it, this simple program gives you a pretty slick two-click method to download video files.

Flash Video Downloader installs easily enough, but the discreet icon could go unnoticed on a packed browser toolbar. Look for the icon with an arrow pointing down. The program shows up in your Start menu, but the only option is to uninstall the program. It's a simple process once you understand it, but a readme file would be helpful to let users know how the program works. When you're on a page that has a video file, you just click the Flash Video Downloader icon and a small window opens. The only onscreen instruction advises you to add the .flv extension to the file when you save it. Although the link shows the file name, when you actually download the file, the name always defaults to get_video. You'll need to change the name so you can keep the videos organized once you download them. For those who are new to downloading videos, Flash Video Downloader does just what it says--downloads files. It can't play the .flv files you save.

Despite the lack of user guidance in the beginning, Flash Video Downloader proved to be quite capable of pulling flash videos from the Web with little user-intervention. Recommended for any user who has experience downloading files of any type.