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The video downloaded by the Video DownloadHelper 7.3.5 (in Firefox 64.0.2, 64 bit, Windows 10) is choppy / stuttering

  • 16 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 29 views
  • Last reply by WestEnd

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I am using firefox 64.0.2 and video downloadhelper 7.3.5 (both are latest version as of today) and I downloaded a couple of videos in the website and I could downloaded the videos, however, the videos are choppy / stuttering except sounds. How can I fix this problem? The website is

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/series/nova-wonders/episodes/

When I watch these videos online, they are fine, but downloaded videos. Please try to download these videos by the video downloadhelper and watch them, so you will see the choppy / stuttering symptoms.

I am using firefox 64.0.2 and video downloadhelper 7.3.5 (both are latest version as of today) and I downloaded a couple of videos in the website and I could downloaded the videos, however, the videos are choppy / stuttering except sounds. How can I fix this problem? The website is https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/series/nova-wonders/episodes/ When I watch these videos online, they are fine, but downloaded videos. Please try to download these videos by the video downloadhelper and watch them, so you will see the choppy / stuttering symptoms.

All Replies (16)

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What media player are you using to play the videos? And what format is the video saved as?

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WestEnd said

What media player are you using to play the videos? And what format is the video saved as?

VLC media player (3.0.4) and mp4 format. Please help! Thank you!

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What codec is used to play these files?

Can you select in VDH what format and resolution you want to download or is there only one choice?

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HLS streaming and .mp4 format and I tried several different file sizes such as 960x540, 480x270 so on. But all videos are choppy and stuttering (tiny stuttering every 3 ~ 5 seconds. I don't know "codec" nor VDH. Could you download the videos with the video download helper? Can you watch the videos smoothly without any problems?

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I can't access the site videos to even watch due to licensing restrictions (I am in the UK), and get this error message;

"We're sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to rights restrictions."

so I expect the downloader is struggling because they are 'protected' videos and are not supposed to be downloaded at all

Modified by Fred

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FredSheehan said

I can't access the site videos to even watch due to licensing restrictions (I am in the UK), and get this error message; "We're sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to rights restrictions." so I expect the downloader is struggling because they are 'protected' videos and are not supposed to be downloaded at all

So, I am asking someone in the US. Can you download these videos? Can you watch the videos smoothly without problems? I can download these videos with large size and small size, but all videos have stuttering. Please help!

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Clicking on the link gives me errors that it can't load due to technical difficulties.

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WestEnd said

Clicking on the link gives me errors that it can't load due to technical difficulties.

Huh? Are you in the US? OR search NOVA "Wonders" PBS TV series. You can find the link site. Thank you!

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I found the site with the link and I am in the US. I clicked on the link and still giving me the same problem. I clicked on the first link with are we alone and that is what I get when it goes to load the video.

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WestEnd said

I found the site with the link and I am in the US. I clicked on the link and still giving me the same problem. I clicked on the first link with are we alone and that is what I get when it goes to load the video.

I am sorry for that. When I go to the link site, it asks which local TV channel for PBS you watch, so I am at Kansas City area, I choose "KCPT", then I can watch the videos easily. Do you have any local TV channel for PBS in your area? It is free and I don't need to pay anything. Anyway, please someone help! Thanks!

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I did choose TPT and then after that click on the link and I get the Technical issue...

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WestEnd said

I did choose TPT and then after that click on the link and I get the Technical issue...

Thank you for your try. I can watch the episodes nicely online, but the videos I downloaded are choppy / stuttering. "KCPT" channel is fine, but not "TPT", I guess. Can someone in the US help me? Thank you though!

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I do wonder if it has something to do with Region locks where if one is another location other than then what is permitted they make the excuse of technical issues.

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WestEnd said

I do wonder if it has something to do with Region locks where if one is another location other than then what is permitted they make the excuse of technical issues.

Thank you for your reply. So, I am asking someone around Kansas City area in the US (KCPT TV channel for PBS), can you watch these videos and download them nicely? Let me know someone please.

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Well, no one answers the question so far.

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I would say since it hasn't gone well when I tried it would be for you to contact the site your getting the video from about the issue. But I suspect they might have implemented some from of streaming video protection and if your not streaming it doesn't play correctly.

Modified by WestEnd