How To Legally Download Movies To Watch Offline For Free
Here’s everything you need to know on how to download movies to watch offline, for free and legally.
Almost all of us now use streaming services to catch the hottest new movies and TV shows. However, streaming still has one major flaw you need an internet connection. Which means they aren’t all that convenient when you’re traveling.
Fortunately, many of the best streaming services now allow you to download movies to watch offline; and all for free, as part of your normal account. So, in this article, we’ll show you how to download movies to watch offline, free and legally.
How Much Space Do I Need
Just how much storage space a download takes up depends on how long the title is and the resolution quality. To give you a sense of the numbers, we went ahead and downloaded the first episode of Stranger Things;and Netflixs The Ritual in both Standard and High quality.
The Ritual has a runtime of 94 minutes. The films standard version used 542MB of space, while the high-resolution variant took up 1.8GB. The first episode of Stranger Things;is 48 minutes long and consumed 197.1MB of space in Standard quality and 310.1MB in High. Its always a good idea to see how much available space you have on your device before choosing between Standard or High quality.
Record Itunes Movies In Real Time
Another method to solve the problem of ‘Can You Watch iTunes Movies Offline’ is just to record them in real time by using useful video recorders.
1. Game Bar
On a Windows PC, you can use the free Game Bar. It is originally designed to record video games, but you can use it to record iTunes videos as well.
#1. Press the Windows + G keys, a popup will appear asking if you would like to open Game Bar.
#2. Choose ‘Yes’ and click the red ‘Recording’ button to start.
#3. Tap the red button again to stop. The videos will be saved to the ‘Video Captures’ folder on the computer for offline playback.
2. QuickTime Player
If you are using a Mac, you can use the built-in QuickTime player.
#1. Lunch QuickTime to play iTunes movie.
#2. Click the top ‘File’ menu and choose ‘New Screen Recording’.
#3. Hit the recording button to stop and save the movie to the Finder on your Mac. You might import it into iMovie for some post-processing.
Pros:1. It is totally free and easy to use.
Cons: 1. It is time-consuming, takes real time. 2. Sometimes the output video quality is not satisfactory with noise.
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Drmare Drm M4v Itunes Video Converter
If you care about the output audio and video quality very much and want to save your precious time, we’d suggest you use a professional DRM cracker to help you unlock iTunes movies directly.
DRmare M4V Converter for Windows/Mac is the right tool that I used. The interface is very intuitive, and it takes only a few clicks to get rid of DRM protection of all your iTunes movies and then convert iTunes to MP4, MOV, WMV, or other common formats for playing offline.
It integrates the parallel video converting and acceleration technology to batch convert iTunes purchases and rentals at an up to 30X faster speed. During the converting process, the source videos won’t be touched but extracted directly to keep the lossless quality including Dolby 5.1 AC 3 audio tracks, subtitles.
For the detailed user manual, please visit: How to Remove DRM from iTunes M4V Movies.
Or you can watch this video tutorial directly.
Pros:1. Fastest video converting speed up to 30X faster. 2. 1:1 output video quality. 3. Batch convert iTunes videos as well as other plain videos.4. Support to edit effects, watermark, etc. for video files.5. Support to play iTunes movies on any other devices or platforms.6. Instant 24/7 technical support. 7. Lifetime free technical support.
Cons:
Pc Connection The Oldest Method
What youll need:
- Laptop/desktop PC with a HDMI out connection, sound and video card
- HDMI cable, audio cable or VGA combination
How to connect your TV to the internet using a PC/laptop
- Place your laptop/PC close to your TV. Make sure both are turned off.
- Insert the HDMI cable into your computer
- Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the TV
- Turn your TV on. Use the AV button to select AV;
- Turn your PC on at this point you may just need to confirm a couple of changes on your PC.
- Thats it sit back, surf, enjoy!
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Watch Shows Or Movies Via Netflix Offline
Netflix just recently launched a wonderful feature of their video-streaming service: the option to download content for offline use. This means that you wont need to connect to the Internet to binge-watch your TV shows or movies. This feature recently came in November of 2016 and has allowed quite a number of select TV shows and movies.
This Netflix feature is available on iOS 9 and later versions, Android OS version 4.4.2 and up, and Windows 10 OS. Mac OS is still in development and will be announced soon. This is absolutely fantastic and so much more convenient, especially when youre stuck on a plane for 19 hours.
The TV shows and movies available for download and offline viewing are still limited. However, the catalog still offers great shows, including Orange is the New Black and Narcos. Theres still a ton of choices to binge to get you occupied throughout the whole flight.
How to do this is practically simple. You only need to have the Netflix app on your phone, tablet, or even the computer. On the menu of the Netflix app thats found on the home screen, find and select the option, Available for Download. Youll be shown a list of all the contents available for you to download on your device and watch offline or even when theres no Internet.
Offline Video Streaming Via The Amazon Video App
Amazon, on the other hand, was way ahead of its competition even farther ahead of Netflix. The video streaming service arm of Amazon offered their offline feature 4 years ago in 2015. And even before that year for Amazon Fire subscribers. Amazons offline feature offers an amazing array of content. Though limited compared to its full-suite of videos available for streaming, the offline catalog still features amazing titles, such as The Man in the High Castle and Transparent.
This offline feature of Amazon can be accessed via their Amazon Video app. The Amazon Video app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Unfortunately, its yet ready on laptops or desktops. On the app itself, youll find an arrow icon pointing downward. This icon can be seen next to the TV show or movie titles. You can browse through different TV show and movie titles and then click on the downward arrow icon to download the content on your device. This will be stored into the Downloads tab in the app.
Unlike Netflix, the Amazon Video app doesnt have the option to let you only see those titles available for offline viewing. Instead, youll have to browse through the titles and check if theres a downward icon or not. However, similar to how the Netflix app works, every title you downloaded will eat up storage on your device. That said, its best to make sure theres enough room for content on your device.
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How To Download Netflix Movies To Your Computer
Unlike Mac, Windows does offer a Netflix compatible application. However, you can download and run the app only on Windows 8 or latest version such as Windows 10. You can download the Netflix app from the Windows App Store.
To get started, first download the Netflix from Windows App Store and then follow these steps:
Now, whether you are hiking in the woods or flying abroad for your long-awaited vacation, you can open your Netflix app, go to Downloads and watch your favorite flicks offline.
How To Airplay To An Airplay 2 Compatible Tv
If you happen to own an AirPlay 2 Compatible TV, in all likelihood, things have already been configured to work right out of the box.
If youre watching a video on a streaming app, and you see the AirPlay icon , all you have to do is tap it and select your TV to get AirPlay started.
You might also see a code on the TV. Youll have to type this code on your iOS device.
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Best Ways To Watch Tv On Computer Without Cable Satellite Or High Cost
The quickest, easiest way to get access to an unlimited amount of television content online starts with learning how to watch TV on laptop with an Internet connection. Why? Firstly, a computer laptop has all the multimedia and video software needed to watch television. It has all the streaming technology to watch movies and TV shows on laptop, including videos and sports online as well as listen to music and radio.
Secondly, anyone who has a laptop and broadband connection can access more streaming television content online than cable and satellite combined. Not only that, but you can watch what you want, when and where you want. A computer has no restrictions when getting access to both free-to-use and pay-to-watch web TV/VOD services .
Unlike media streaming devices or game consoles, using the Internet with a TV on laptop computer doesnt rely on a small number of apps to connect to various streaming TV/VOD providers. You are not restricted from streaming TV apps in that you are free to choose any streaming content you want, anywhere online, both free and pay-to-watch.
There are countless individuals new to Internet television that often ask how can I watch TV on my laptop. A laptop has an advantage over desktop computers which is portability. This also answers those who want to know how to watch laptop on TV. In other words, whatever appears on the laptop screen will appear on the TV screen.
How To Watch Free To Air Tv On Computer
As for IPTV services, many of them deliver local TV channels but most of them only give you access to 3 or 4 channels. Out of the 3 or 4, most of the time only 1 or 2 will work and local channels from all city markets are not available. So if you really want to know how to watch free to air TV computer online, read below
Theres is a free local TV streaming service website that allows you to watch most if not all of your local OTV TV channels. They continue to add more and more city markets periodically. It would be worth your while to visit the website and see if your city is included. If it is included, then you need to sign up to get access.
Free members will undergo periodic advertising. You can pay the small monthly fee if you really like what you get. This will remove any and all advertising so that you dont get interrupted by watching a local channel online.
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Cable Tethering To A Mobile Device
If you only need to connect one device to the internet, why use WiFi at all? Instead of creating a WiFi hotspot, consider using a USB cable to tether your phone or tablet directly to your computer.;
This has a few advantages over the WiFi hotspot method. No one can hack into your network, the computer charges the device, and you may even get faster speeds over the USB connection than WiFi. All the other stuff about data prices and tethering policies still apply though.
How To Get Access To And Watch Live Premium Channels Vod Catchup Tv Ppv 24/7 Tv Us Tv Uk Tv Ca Tv Latin Tv & More
Lets cover the easiest way to watch your favorites online using a laptop first. If you have a Windows or Mac, an IPTV service can give you the best Internet TV entertainment. IPTV services provide both live premium television channels and on-demand content online. All you need is a high-speed Internet connection , a laptop computer, and a free app download.
You also get access to 1000s of on-demand TV series with episodes and movies with the most recent included. Other streaming content includes channels from other countries including the UK, ESPN +, local TV, CatchUp TV, music/radio channels, and more.; Click below to start watching your favorites online using a top IPTV service
Note: To connect a laptop to TV, read information further down this post.
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Choose Your Download Quality
Netflix offers two quality levels for downloads: Standard and Higher. The latter seems to be high definition somewhere between 720p and 1080p resolution though Netflix doesnt specify. Standard uses less space on your device and allows you to download content more quickly, whereas High takes a bit more space and patience. Which one youll want will depend on how much free space you have and what kind of device youre using. The standard modes appearance may look fine on your new phone, for instance, whereas a higher resolution may be preferable for your tablet or;laptop.
To choose, locate the App Settings menu. It could be called More or found under your profile icon on Android or iOS smartphone apps. From there, under the heading, click or tap Video Quality or ;and select your preferred quality. Well get into more detail on how much space Netflix downloads take up later in this article.
Without The Internet Getting Setup
How to Watch TV on Laptop With TV Tuner Card or USB Device. Depending on the location you are in, there will be a range of broadcast TV signals from local TV stations in the area. You can tap into those signals when using a digital TV tuner accessory which should do the job well enough. The easiest way to go would be connecting a USB small TV tuner card or USB stick. Accessories can include a USB tuner card stick, remote control, and portable TV antenna. This setup also comes with a DVR feature to record TV programs.
Play the video below if you want to learn how to watch live TV in laptop. Theres a link included to explore some of these USB tuner cards on Amazon. You might want to start with some of the top sellers see Hauppauge TV tuners. This setup will take care of how to watch TV on laptop with TV tuner.
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How Watch Shows And Movies Anywhere Even Without Wi
With so many streaming options, you can watch anything anytime. But not anyplace.
Years ago, when you flew you had to watch whatever crappy movie the plane was showing. Now we just bring our entertainment with us. Look around, and everybody is power-watching a show or movie on a tablet or laptop.
Problem is, most video services are streaming only, which is an issue for anyone who travels. We think that Wi-Fi is going be everywhere soon, but it’s not. Trains, planes, hotels, and cars say they have Wi-Fi, and tablets and phones have data, but I don’t trust any of it. Even when the Wi-Fi works, airlines make it clear: You can email, but forget about trying to stream movies, even if you pay extra for the faster connection. What B.S.
Until streaming is fully integrated and strong Wi-Fi is everywhere, if I want to be sure I can watch something, I download. A friend brought this up the other day. Even though he could watch Peaky Blinders on Netflix, he bought episodes off iTunes. Why did he buy what he was already paying for? “I can’t stream Netflix on a plane,” he said. It’s ridiculous that you have to pay for something twice just because you don’t have Wi-Fi.
Gary Dell’Abate has been the executive producer of;The Howard Stern Show;since 1984. He can be heard on Sirius XM.
*This article originally appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of;Popular Mechanics.
Download A Mobile App
Many local stations offer mobile apps for watching local TV shows on your smartphone or other mobile devices for free.
CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox and the CW stations all offer mobile apps that allow you to stream local TV shows on your mobile app without the need for a subscription or a cable or satellite hookup.
Its important to note that each app works a bit differently. The CBS app allows viewers to see full episodes of their favorite CBS shows on-demand the day after they air.
However, if you want access to live streaming or to their full archives, youll have to pay for their Paramount+ package which I talked about earlier.
Paramount+ has packages starting at $4.99 per month.
The ABC App
The ABC app offers archive viewing and live stream viewing for free, however in some larger markets such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City you need to have a cable or satellite provider to do so.
The NBC App
The NBC app offers free viewing of recent episodes of some new shows. They also offer some older episodes and shows from your mobile device.
While live streaming and some recent episodes require mobile viewers to have a satellite or cable provider.
The Fox App
The Fox app allows you to stream most shows the day after the original airing date. However, more selections and live streaming are available with your participating TV provider account.
The CW App
And theres not an option to view more if you have a TV subscription provider.
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