Download TED Videos: 2 Easy Methods
TED Talks: Preserving Inspiring Ideas
Beyond YouTube, TED stands out as a frequently discussed platform, particularly for those driven by a pursuit of knowledge. TED, an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, hosts a pair of yearly conferences.
These events, the TED Conference held in Long Beach and Palm Springs during the spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh, UK each summer, assemble leading thinkers from diverse fields.
The Desire to Save TED Talks
Naturally, a desire arises to safeguard these valuable presentations for future access. While TED videos are readily available for streaming through web browsers, many prefer to have inspiring talks readily accessible.
This leads to the question of how to download TED videos for offline viewing and convenient portability.
Downloading TED Videos for Offline Access
Several methods exist to obtain TED videos for viewing without an internet connection. These approaches allow you to curate a personal collection of thought-provoking content.
The following outlines how to download TED videos and enjoy them at your convenience, regardless of connectivity.
Methods for Downloading
- Browser Extensions: Certain browser extensions are designed to detect and download videos from websites like TED.
- Third-Party Downloaders: Dedicated video downloader software can often handle TED videos, provided you have the video URL.
- Command-Line Tools: For more technically inclined users, command-line tools like
youtube-dl(despite the name) can download from TED.
Each method offers varying levels of ease of use and features, allowing you to choose the option that best suits your technical skills and preferences.
Downloading TED Talks: A Direct Approach
The simplest method for obtaining TED videos involves utilizing the built-in Download button found directly beneath each video presentation. Access the video on its dedicated page and select the button to choose your preferred video resolution.
Alternatively, TED videos can also be downloaded through iTunes. The downloaded file will be in the MP4 format, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Considerations for Single Downloads
While seemingly convenient, it’s important to note that the majority of TED Talks are not short clips. Most presentations average around 15 minutes in length.
Consequently, individual video files can range in size from 50 to 80 MB. Therefore, this direct download option is most suitable when you only need to acquire a single TED Talk.
Bulk Downloading: Utilizing TED Downloader
TED Downloader (Version 2) is a practical application designed for the mass download of TED videos. This free software, weighing in at 794 KB, features a straightforward user interface. Installation proceeds rapidly, though prerequisite installation of Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.0 is necessary for proper functionality.
The TED Talks Downloader allows users to select specific videos for download directly from the TED website. Filtering options are available based on desired video quality – Low, Regular, or High – with the chosen quality impacting the overall download time. To initiate a download, simply designate a folder, click Update Links, choose the desired videos, and then click Get TED Talks.
The latest iteration of this tool incorporates several enhancements, resulting in a significantly improved downloading experience.
Firstly, downloads in progress can now be sorted by file size, enabling users to prioritize shorter videos. Alternatively, sorting by upload date allows for the acquisition of the most recent content. The updated interface also provides a progress bar displaying both success and failure statuses.
Secondly, the application offers compatibility with alternative download managers. Download paths can be exported to a text file and subsequently copied and pasted into the user’s preferred download manager. This text file serves as a convenient record of the video URLs.
Thirdly, the tool supports downloading TED videos even when accessed through a proxy address.
Currently, TED Downloader appears to be the sole utility available for bulk downloading of TED Talk video files. Users have the option of downloading individual videos or utilizing the tool for multiple downloads. While not a fully-featured download manager – lacking pause and resume capabilities – it remains a simple and effective solution.
The wealth of inspirational content available on TED ensures a diverse selection of videos for download. We have previously highlighted TED Talks in these articles:
- The Most Effective TED Talks for Social Media Utilization
- Five Captivating and Motivational TED Talks Examining the Frontiers of Technology
Do you routinely download TED videos to your computer? Are you familiar with any other tools designed for this purpose? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
