The Easy Guide to Downloading Videos from Bandcamp
The Easy Guide to Downloading Videos from Bandcamp
Bandcamp has gained popularity as one of the best online music platforms in recent years. The platform offers independent musicians and artists a chance to upload their work and connect with fans. Bandcamp has an extensive collection of music genres that include everything from rap, RnB, indie, folk, and more. Although Bandcamp allows music streaming and downloads, the platform is not entirely free, and not all downloads are available by default. In many cases, you will need to pay for the music or contact the artist for permission to download. In this easy guide, we will focus on how to download videos from Bandcamp, including free and paid downloads.
Step One: Choose a Video to Download
Start by choosing a video that you want to download from Bandcamp. On the site’s homepage, you can select categories such as Popular, New & Notable, and the Bandcamp Daily. Alternatively, you can search for a specific artist or song using the search bar on the top right of the page.
Once you have identified the video you want to download, click on it to open its page. Here you can read more about the artist and the video, view its rating, listen to previews, and choose the quality of the download. Bandcamp offers three primary download formats: FLAC, MP3 320, and MP3 V0.
FLAC stands for Free Lossless Audio Codec, which is a high-quality audio format suitable for audiophiles. MP3 is the most common audio format that is compatible with most devices. MP3 320 kbps is a higher quality lossy version while MP3 V0 is the highest quality VBR (Variable Bitrate) version. The higher the quality of the download, the larger the download file. Be sure to choose a version that is compatible with your device.
Step Two: Download Free Videos
If the video you want to download is free, the download process is simple. On the Bandcamp video page, locate the “Buy Digital Video” link. It is usually below the video and above the reviews. Click that link to start the download process. If you don’t see the link, the artist may not have enabled downloads, and you’ll need to contact them directly.
After clicking the “Buy Digital Video” link, a pop-up window will appear with a field to enter your email address. Enter your email, check the box to subscribe to the artist’s email list, and click on “Download Now.”
Your downloaded video may take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes to complete depending on your internet speed and the size of the file.
Step Three: Download Paid Videos
Downloading a paid video from Bandcamp requires payment using the payment options available on the website. Payment can be made using credit card, Paypal, or Apple Pay. The payment process is relatively simple and easy to follow.
You will begin, as before, by clicking “Buy Digital Video.” The pop-up window will appear, and you need to enter your email address, check the box, and click on “Buy Now.” You will then be directed to a payment screen where you can choose your payment method and enter your payment details.
After successful payment, you will be redirected to the video download page, where you can click on “Download Now” to start the download process. The video will be saved to your device’s designated download folder.
Step Four: Download Videos Using Third-Party Tools
There are various video downloader tools and browser extensions available for download that you can use to download videos from Bandcamp. For this guide, we will use VideoSolo Online Video Downloader.
VideoSolo Online Video Downloader is a web-based video downloader tool that allows users to download videos from popular websites and social media platforms, including Bandcamp.
To download a video using VideoSolo, start by copying the link to the Bandcamp video that you want to download. Open VideoSolo Online Video Downloader on your web browser, paste the link in the search field, and click the “Download” button. The tool will then search and display a list of available video download links and formats.
Choose your preferred video format and click the “Download” button next to the video. You may also preview the video before downloading by clicking on the “Play” button. The video will be saved in your device’s designated download folder.
Step Five: Download Videos Using Browser Extensions
Browser extensions such as Flash Video Downloader, Video DownloadHelper, and Video Downloader PLUS can be used to download videos from Bandcamp. These extensions are easy to use, free, and can be installed on popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
To download a video using Video DownloadHelper, for example, start by installing the extension on your web browser. After installation, navigate to your Bandcamp video of choice, and click the Video DownloadHelper extension icon on the browser taskbar.
Next, click on the video download link that appears on the extension menu. Choose your preferred video format and click the “Download” button. The video will be saved in your device’s designated download folder.
Conclusion
Downloading videos from Bandcamp can be simple and stress-free if you follow the outlined methods in this guide. You can choose to download free or paid videos or use third-party tools and browser extensions. When downloading paid videos, be sure to make payments using the available payment options.
Bandcamp offers music lovers an opportunity to discover and enjoy independent artists and their music. Downloading videos from the platform enables you to enjoy your music offline, at your convenience, and with the quality you prefer.