How to Convert Streaming Video to AVI

By Alexis Lawrence

If you watch streaming videos on the Internet and would like to keep a copy of one of those videos on your computer or transfer the video to a portable device like an MP3 player or your cell phone, there are a few free sites for downloading streaming video. Once downloaded, the file can be converted into any type of video file, including an AVI file. AVIs work in most video editing software and video players.

Go to your favorite streaming video site, such as YouTube. Find the video that you want to keep and wait until it starts loading. Copy the website address for the video.

Go to a website that downloads streaming video, such as ClipNabber or KeepVid (see links in Resources). Paste the address of the video into the URL bar and click "Download" in KeepVid or "Nab Video!" in ClipNabber. Two links will appear, allowing you to download the video as either an MP4 or an FLV file. Click the "MP4" download. An MP4 file of the video will download automatically to the folder you have set up to receive downloads.

Go to Zamzar (see link in Resources). Zamzar is an online file conversion website where you can convert files up to 100MB for free. If you want to convert bigger files, you will have to sign up for a paid Zamzar account.

Pull the MP4 file that you downloaded into Zamzar. Under Step 1 on the Zamzar page, browse for the file. Choose "AVI" for your output file format. AVI is available under Video Formats in the drop-down menu under Step 2 on the Zamzar screen. Enter your email address in Step 3 on Zamzar. Click "Convert." Zamzar will convert the MP4 video file to AVI. A copy of the download link will be sent to the email address you provided. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Once you receive this link, follow it to download your AVI video from the Zamzar website.

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