Sunday, April 3, 2011

Tech How To: YouTube Hacks

First, a hack is not simply accessing a bunch of secured files (that's the Hollywood definition) anyway a hack could also mean a nifty trick.

Let's face it we use YouTube all the time whether it be for watching two babies argue or just wasting your brain cells singing to friday. So here's a few nifty hacks to for the ever popular YouTube.

Note: Most of the stuff or rather all of them use Google Chrome. There's a 98% chance that there's also a Firefox equivalent.

1. Download Videos with integrated YouTube Download Button.
There are a few hundred different ways to download videos on the site but I find this one most efficient.
Screenshot:
Note: No, it won't make your YouTube site go purple.We'll get to that later.

As shown in the screenshot, I've got a dedicated download button on YouTube videos. So how do you do that? If you've got Google Chrome installed: Download this extension. <---Hint: I'ts a link. And once you browse a new video you'll see the new button. It always you to download videos in FLV or MP4.

2. Stop the Damn Auto Play 
 If you're like me who wonders why would someone choose to automatically play videos (esp with slow internet) this one's a must.  So again download another Chrome extension. Here and enjoy!

3. Convert Videos to MP3
You sometimes have the dilemma of hearing a new fangled song and you want to put it in your playlist or on your fancy-pants iPod Touch or equivalent.  Here's how. 

a. Copy a YouTube video link. 


c. Paste YouTube Address
Don't forget to choose High Quality :D

d. Wait.

e. Click Download

4. Once Click Video Search
Another chrome extension. This one gives you a YouTube Button on your browser. Once you click it. Just type away a query! Oh it has the ever so useful auto-complete too. Download here.

Screenshot:
 

5. Change YouTube's Look with Stylish
Just like the Facebook Hack I posted a few days ago, this one involves Stylish Google Chrome Extension. Download stylish here.  Go to YouTube Site and click the Stylish button and choose a new look! :D


Here's one more hack but I haven't personally tried yet.

6. Disable Those Comments
Why? Seriously you only get 1/10000 intellectual comment on videos so why bother reading through those?
Download and disable all those dumb comments. Oh how we wish we could filter dumb comments .