Review based on the full version.
I downloaded the trial first, which was limited in that no video conversion could be carried out. Bit of a waste of time as far as writing a review on the software was concerned so I purchased the full version using the link on the trial screen.
A word about the YouTube Mate Trial and YouTube Mate Full software download experience.
I clicked the trial link which resulted in a very small file being downloaded to my desktop - just 382kb in fact. When I ran this a download manager showed which very neatly downloaded the trial version installation exe file. The size of the trial file download was around 15mb. Installation was hitch free and over very quickly. On running the software there was a two choice option of whether to purchase the software or to continue to use the trial as is. Clicking the purchase button took me to the regnow certified purchasing screen. Price was £16.32 with an Extended Download Service option of just over £2 which meant they would keep the download open for a complete year. I couldn't see the need for that so I removed it from my cart. Complete cost with vat was £18.77. I paid using my Visa and as soon as it went through a download link was shown to me. There was also a £10 off shopping incentive with a shopping site that I dismissed (apparently it was £15 off when I clicked the link). An email was also sent with my registration number. Funnily enough the fully working software was just over 9mb as opposed to 15mb for the trial. Both downloaded very promptly at 2-300kbs on my broadband connection.
Make sure you are not running the trial if you attempt to install the full. No real problem will ensue but on my system I couldn't do so until I had switched the trial off.
Cucusoft YouTube Mate's Capabilities
There is a PSP Video Manager that I hadn't previously noticed. You can access it by using the link on the All Programs Cucusoft YouTube Mate tab. Useful program should you be wanting to transfer files to and from your usb device. No need to elaborate on this any further as it is dead simple to use. Also on the tab is Cucusoft YouTube Mate Help link. You can quickly learn how to use this software by accessing help. If like me though you tend to jump in feet first read on.
The top buttons consist of: Add, Remove, Download and Convert. Well you can't get much simpler than that really. These buttons are pretty self explanatory.
I thought the first thing to do was fire up the software and head for Youtube to check whether it was easy to download videos, though I did set my download folder first - clicked download then set my download folder. I loaded up Paul Potts video with YouTube Mate running in the background. I copied the url and pasted it into YouTube Mate as instructed. The video downloaded quickly without any hitches. Nice touch was the downloaded video title was the same as on YouTube.
Conversion Process
I loaded up the Paul Potts high quality flv video download (to be able to see the format of a file I have unclicked 'Hide extensions of known file types', found when you open a folder - Tools - Folder Options - View) . Conversion to my choice of format - avi - was over in less than a minute. No doubt this is dependent on what formats you are converting from and too. You can see the conversion taking place with the inbuilt player. When the conversion completed a popup appeared with a typed statement - 'Open output folder to check the output file(s). I clicked next to do so. The conversion was flawless and I found myself in awe of Paul Potts audition once again.
Summary
This is great software. You can use it to download off YouTube and convert them to lots of formats but you could also use it as a converter in it's own right. Very impressive.
Manufacturers Statements and Guidelines:
With YouTube Mate you can also convert downloaded YouTube videos to a format compatible with your favorite portable device; including - iPod Video, iPod Touch, iPod Nano, iPhone, Zune, PSP, as well as video capable MP3 players, video capable mobile phones, and Pocket P.C.
And finally... YouTube Mate's embedded player will allow you to watch all your favorite YouTube videos off-line. So now you can enjoy any .flv and .swf videos anytime!
Major Features of Cucusoft YouTube Mate
About Downloading Features
- Provides the highest speed to download YouTube video.
- Supports unlimited simultaneous downloading tasks.
- Supports auto-name your downloaded video title as the YouTube page shows.
- Offers you the most convenient task management and the easiest control capability.
About Conversion Features (Only Full version includes this feature)
- Supports YouTube video or any .flv and .swf file as input file.
- Supports not only YouTube video, but also various video formats as input file, including avi, DivX, XviD, rm, rmvb, MOV, MPEG, WMV.
- Supports a wide variety of output file format., including avi, DivX, XviD, rm, rmvb, MOV, MPEG, WMV.
- Provides various profiles, these profiles can meet the needs of most people.
- Supports customize or create user's own profile for any new (portable) device.
- The video conversion supports preview.
About Playing Features
- Embedded YouTube Video (Offline) Player is available, it supports offline play YouTube video, .flv video and .swf video.
- Supports "Drag and Drop" video files direct to the main window. Easy to select the source files.
- Cool UI skin available
Minimum Requirements Cucusoft YouTube Mate
- Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2003 Server, etc.
- DirectX 8.0 or later.
- Hardware requirements:
- MMX-enhanced CPU or more powerful
- 512 MB RAM or more
- 1000 MHz Intel, AMD CPU or better
