How I watch videos I find online: not online
The other day I happened to watch a video on YouTube not in my usual way and saw an ad there in the video for the first time in five years or so. The surprise prompted me to write how I watch videos I find online, as well as listen to podcasts.
I almost never watch videos I find online online. I download them using a browser plugin. I used to then watch them on my computer, but I found when I lost roof access that my phone uses significantly less power. Lacking roof access meant that getting electrical power took a lot more time, energy, and resources, so I scrounged to save power and energy.
I forget why I started watching not through the browser, but downloading offers several advantages. It uses less power, it lets me watch when I feel like it, it removes ads, and my computer’s video players do more than online ones.
Most videos I transfer to my phone. Even then I often listen only. For many videos, only the audio matters. I watch a lot of interviews for which the video doesn’t matter. Most C-SPAN videos fall in this catalogue, as to most TV shows. So I listen to a lot of videos.
Unless there is a compelling reason for higher resolution, I download videos at a resolution of 256×144. It’s fine for most purposes and the file is ten percent the size.
Also, I have my standard procedure to have no screens on while eating, so I listen to many videos while eating with the phone’s screen off. If something in the audio suggests images or animation worth watching, I can turn the video back on and rewind.
Also, I’m quicker to decide not to watch videos after downloading, when the motivation to watch may have waned and I find better uses of my time. The extra shift gives me a chance to reconsider if I feel that the video that seemed worth downloading is worth watching after reflection.
I recommend downloading and watching offline, not on your browser.
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