How to Download Bilibili Videos in HD Without Compromising Quality.
How to Download Bilibili Videos in HD Without Compromising Quality.
As a video streaming platform, Bilibili has been attracting a massive following from the Chinese market, with millions of users watching and uploading videos each day. Apart from the entertainment aspect, Bilibili is a source of educational materials and cultural exchange, especially for individuals interested in Chinese pop culture and language.
While the website/app makes it easy to search and stream videos on-the-go, users have raised concerns about downloading Bilibili videos. Most video downloaders compromise quality, making the videos less enjoyable to watch, with poor audio and pixelated images. In this article, we’ll look at ways to download Bilibili videos in HD without compromising quality.
Part 1: Understanding the Basics of Bilibili Video Downloads
To start, let’s understand some technicalities of Bilibili videos. Bilibili uses a specific technology called HTML5, which enables a better viewing experience for users. By using HTML5 videos, Bilibili provides better audio and image quality that is much better than other video players.
Bilibili also uses another technology called Danmaku, which adds the “pop-up comments” that appear superimposed on the video. Danmaku translates to “bullet curtain” in English and originated on the Japanese website Nico Nico Douga.
The bullet comments are written by other viewers in real-time as they watch, reflecting their reactions to the video. They can be both informative and distracting, and many are direct translations from the Chinese dialogue in the videos. At the end of this article, we will explore how to download videos with or without Danmaku.
It’s important to note that because of its technology, downloading Bilibili videos is more complicated than merely accessing the download button. Also, while it may be tempting to copy and paste the video’s URL into a video downloader, the quality may be compromised, as we noted earlier.
Part 2: Steps to Download Bilibili Videos in HD Without Compromising Quality
Step 1: Find the video you want to download
Before anything else, navigate to the Bilibili website or app and select the video you wish to download. We recommend that you watch the video to be sure it’s the content that you want to keep a copy of. You can also download multiple videos at once, making it easier to have a collection of videos that you can watch offline. After selecting the video, right-click on the URL bar and copy the link to your clipboard.
Step 2: Choose a third-party downloader
Next, choose a reliable downloader that can handle Bilibili video downloads. Many websites and apps can do this, and some of them require installation on your computer. For this article, we will highlight three popular and easy-to-use downloaders:
—Video DownloadHelper
—Videoder
— 9XBuddy
Step 3: Install the downloader of choice
The installation process will vary depending on the downloader. Some downloaders may not require any installation and can work directly on your browser. Others may require that you download and install a separate software application on your computer.
We recommend downloading reputable downloading software to avoid exposing your computer to malware, which could harm your computer.
Step 4: Enter the video URL in the downloader
After installing the downloader, you will be prompted to insert the Bilibili video link that you copied earlier. Wait for a few seconds for the downloader to process the information.
Step 5: Select the video quality
Now that your downloader has processed the video URL, you can now choose the video quality you want. You want to aim for 720p or 1080p, which provides clear video and high-quality audio.
Downloading videos in HD may take longer. Once you’ve selected the video quality, click on the download button, and wait for the process to complete.
Part 3: How to Download Bilibili Videos with Danmaku
As we described earlier, Danmaku is the feature that adds “pop up comments” in real-time to the video. While some people find them informative and engaging, others find them distracting and annoying. When downloading videos from Bilibili, you can choose to download with or without the Danmaku feature.
If you want to download Bilibili videos with Danmaku, here are the steps:
Step 1: Find the video
First, navigate to the Bilibili site, locate the video you want to keep, and begin watching it.
Step 2: Choose the extension
Next, choose a browser extension that allows you to download Bilibili videos with Danmaku. “Video DownloadHelper” is one such extension compatible with Firefox, Google Chrome, and Opera web browsers.
The extension integrates directly into your browser and can download both video and audio. Once you’ve selected the extension, install it on your browser and restart the browser as directed.
Step 3: Download the video
Now that your extension is installed and active, play the video you want to download. When prompted, click on the browser extension and select the video quality and format that you want to download.
You will see an option to add or turn off Danmaku. If you prefer to keep the feature, add the Danmaku option when prompted. Your video with Danmaku will download shortly after the selection.
Part 4: How to Remove Danmaku from Downloaded Videos
If you find Danmaku distracting or annoying, you can remove it from your downloaded videos.
Step 1: Choose a third-party downloader
Choose a downloader, such as Video DownloadHelper or Videoder. You can choose either of these downloaders because they can download Bilibili videos without Danmaku, making it possible to delete it later.
Step 2: Download the video
After downloading your video without Danmaku, you can now remove the feature. Here is what to do:
Step 3: Select the video file
Locate the downloaded video on your computer and open it with video editing software. One such software tool is called iMovie, and you can download it for free from the App Store if you’re using a MacOS computer.
Step 4: Lower the video opacity
After opening the video in iMovie, lower the video’s opacity level until it’s almost transparent. This feature will make it difficult to see the Danmaku comments.
Step 5: Save the video
After lowering the opacity level, save the video as a new file. Your new video has Danmaku comments that are now nearly invisible.
Part 5: FAQs
1. How Can I Download Bilibili Videos on My iPhone or iOS Device?
You cannot download Bilibili videos directly from Safari or any other browser on your iOS device. However, you can download a third-party video downloader, which will enable you to download Bilibili videos. Here are some of the downloaders:
— Documents by Readdle
— MyMedia
— Video Downloader Pro
Note that downloading illegal content is against the terms of service of most video platforms, including Bilibili, and may lead to legal repercussions.
2. How Can I Download Bilibili Videos with Subtitles?
Although you can download Bilibili videos with Danmaku subtitles, it’s not possible to download subtitles separately. If you need subtitles for the video that you’ve downloaded, you might need to transcribe them manually or use a third-party software or tool that can extract the subtitles.
3. How Can I Download Complete Bilibili Playlists?
To download a Bilibili playlist, use a downloader that can batch download videos. Many third-party downloaders can do this, allowing you to download numerous videos from a queue or playlist at once. You can select the videos and start the downloading process while you take care of other tasks.
4. Is it Legal to Download Bilibili Videos?
The legality of downloading Bilibili videos depends on copyright laws in your country. In countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is illegal to download copyrighted content without permission. Before downloading any video, ensure you understand the copyright laws that apply to your country.
Final Thoughts
Bilibili is a fantastic video streaming platform, with lots of Chinese cultural references, pop videos, documentaries, and many more. While it is relatively easy to watch videos online on Bilibili, downloading them can be a complicated process.
This article has provided a clear guide on how to download Bilibili videos in high definition without compromising quality. You can either choose to download with or without Danmaku comments. Keep in mind the legal implications of downloading copyrighted content without permission.
Whether you’re a Chinese culture enthusiast, student, or anyone looking for high-quality video content, try some of the methods highlighted here to download and enjoy your favorite videos.