The web browser add-on for instance works right there where the videos are opened anyway: in the browser. Software video downloaders on the other hand offer cross-browser support and are usually better in managing and queuing downloads.

Live Downloader is a software program for the Windows operating system that can be used to capture streaming video from sites like Youtube, Dailymotion, Facebook or MySpace. The tool does not limit downloads to video content on the other hand as it also offers to download streaming music as well but most users will probably download video streams with it.

The software runs as a process in the background that monitors the incoming traffic of the computer system. It will automatically display a download window whenever a video or audio stream is identified in the scan. The download window contains a preview area and a download button to send the video to the download queue.

Live Downloader behaves different from other streaming video and audio downloaders as it does not have an option to download a video from an url that gets pasted into the application by the user.

The monitoring of the network traffic can be deactivated at anytime to avoid that the download windows show up when they are not needed. Another interesting option is to select to download all media automatically without displaying a notification window first.

Live Downloader is available for download at the developer’s website. It is compatible with most Microsoft operating systems including Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. (via Addictive Tips)

Spotify is a service which allows users to stream many songs online free and legally. The service is ad-supported and currently available in Sweden, Norway, Finland, the UK, France and Spain. The adverts are only a minor annoyance; I find there is about 2 minutes of them per hour of music. A premium service is also available, where adverts can be removed for a cost.

The service requires a desktop client to play the music. Their client is currently only available on OS X and Windows. Using this software, users can search for music, compile playlists and listen to online radio. The music is streamed as an Ogg Vorbis at 160kbps, so it is very high quality! It also scrobbles the music to last.fm.

The advertising is tolerable. Generally, they last about 30-45 seconds and either advertise Spotify Premium or, currently, the Disasters Emergency Committee in the UK. Premium (ad-free) Spotify costs either 99p a day or £10 a month.

I am beginning to reconsider if I still have the need to download music. Most songs are available free on Spotify, with the exception of some of the newest releases on certain labels. My only problem with Spotify is that it isn’t portable, so I can’t use it on my iPod etc.

Spotify has a bigger collection of music than the ‘full tracks’ available on last.fm.

It is currently only invitation only, but I will give the first 4 people to ask an invite each. Just leave a comment asking for one.