Inspect Element is a great tool in web browsers which allows the individual to view and edit the source code of a webpage. Developers mainly use it for debugging and design purposes; it can also be used to save videos from websites. Many people want to save videos for various purposes. While many websites offer official download options, others don’t.
This article discusses how to save videos using Inspect Element and the advantages and disadvantages of using Inspect Element.
Also read: How to inspect element on Chromebook?
Save videos using the inspect element
If you want to save a video using the inspect element, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Visit the webpage containing the video you want to save. Let the video play for a few seconds to ensure it’s fully loaded.
Step 2: Right-click anywhere on the webpage, and then in the dropdown menu, click on Inspect option. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + I to open the Inspect Element panel.
Step 3: In the Inspect Element panel, click on the Elements tab in the top menu bar.
Step 4: Look for HTML code related to the video, like <video> or a link with src or data-src.
Step 5: Once you find it, right-click on the link and then in the dropdown menu, click on the Copy link address option.
Step 6: Open a new tab in your browser, paste the link into the address bar and then hit Enter.
Step 7: The video will start playing. Right-click on it and select Save Video As to download it to your computer.
Also read: How to get HBO Max free trial?
Advantages and Disadvantages of using Inspect Element
Just like any other tool, Inspect Element has advantages and disadvantages, and below we have mentioned them.
Advantages
- Easy access: Most web browsers have the Inspect Element feature, readily available to users.
- No extra software needed: You don’t need to install any additional software or browser add-ons to save videos.
- Quality control: You can often get videos in their original high quality by directly accessing their URLs.
Disadvantages
- Need some technical knowledge: To use Inspect Element, you need to understand HTML and how web pages are structured.
- Not great for complex sites: It might not always work well on websites that use dynamic elements, like JavaScript, to load or change videos.
- Legal and Ethical Issues: Downloading videos without permission could break copyright laws or violate a website’s terms of use.
