Rating: 5
pick
Version tested: 1.5.7, Grab++ beta 3
Orbit Downloader is a download manager and accelerator that can download files from any remote server via HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, RTSP, MMS and Metalink protocols. It will detect and download flash files (including FLV video files) from any site, including YouTube. Used with its Grab++ module, it can download streaming media of any kind, including MP3s from sites such as Pandora, Myspace, Imeem, or Hypemachine, etc.
Here is a quick summary of what this program can do for you:
- Accelerate download speeds: Speed increases will vary, depending on the source(s) from which you are downloading, your internet registry settings, and the program settings.
- Pause and resume downloads: this feature can be a godsend when you are downloading a large file or downloading from an unreliable source (or both).
- Detects and downloads flash video: simply mousing over a flash video or flash file (FLV or SWF) will display a small download button for instant video downloads. Really cool, but the button can be a bit of a nuisance if you don’t want to use it (although you can dismiss it fairly easily)
- Detects and downloads streaming media: the Grab++ module will scan for anything that is being played in your browser, whether it is an audio, video, or flash, and autodetect the download link (only caveat: Grab++ has to be run before the media file is played). This is (a) unbelievably cool, and (b) reason enough for me to switch from Flashget, hitherto my favorite downloader, to Orbit Downloader. Will download WMV and RM streaming video.
- Can download from file upload sites such as Rapidshare: you will have to manually enter the security code that these sites requrire, but Orbit Downloader will automatically detect and download the URL. (Services mentioned in the documentation: Rapdishare, Megaupload, Yousendit, and SendSpace).
- Download scheduling: if you have a lot of files to download, you can use Orbit Downloader to grab all the URLs and download them at an appropriate time. I’ve never personally used this but I can imagine it can be useful if you have dialup or a slow connection.
More info on this program:
- "Light and resource friendly", according to the official website, with a footprint of less than 3 megs of memory. The Grab++ module adds another 11 megs though, but I suppose it can be only launched when needed.
- The Flashget connection: Orbit looks like Flashget and copies a number of elements, including the optional clipboard and browser monitoring and optional drop zone. Thankfully, it doesn’t foray into Torrent downloading, as Flashget did (a good thing since these programs in general cannot hold a candle to some of the powerful Torrent programs out there such as uTorrent, Azureus, and others).
The Verdict: I love this program. It came out of nowhere to become my download manager of choice. I will also say that the Grab++ module is a must. Highly recommended
For everyone who is wondering why you get no url found! when trying to download an you tube video here is the answer:
follow these steps when you want to download you tube videos:
1) Open the grab.exe file which is usually located at c:/program files(86x)/Orbit Downloader/Grab.exe (or) Tools -> Grab++ in orbit
2) Now a new window gets displayed with title Grab++
3) Click on ‘video’
4) Go to web page and play the video you want to download. In few seconds your video file gets displayed in the grab++ window.
5) Select the video and Click on the download button. Here we go….. its all done. You can see the download progress in the orbit window…
Well I went to the Grab++ window, clicked on Video, then went to the YouTube video and watched all 7 minutes of it….and nothing was every displayed in the Grab ++ window. The strange thing is that my lap top works fine with getting videos with both the Grab It and the Grab ++ . I’m running windows with both it and the offending Desktop. I even installed Firefox but was only able to open my home page with it…..couldn’t move to any other sites with Firefox until I uninstalled Orbit. I have not clue what’s going on.
This all started about 3 or 4 days ago. I had been using both the Grab-It and the Grab+++ for several years without a hitch and then suddenly, no URL found is poppint up on Grab-It and no URL are popping up in the Grab+++ window. Spent a good deal of time last night to no avail. Did a system restore to when it was working but without results. Have uninstalled and reinstalled both Windows and different editions of Orbit until I was blue in the face. Tried Firefox with Orbit, but that only froze me up on the home page.. I guess that I will just have to be satisfied with using Orbit on my lap top where both Grab-It and Grab+++ work fine with windows.
Eldon (or anyone with Orbit/Grab problems),
I’ve got (what appears to be) the same problem. Orbit downloader and Grab++ were working fine until last night. I had a virus (some Backdoor virus) which Microsoft Security Essentials did eventually catch (with my help….i.e. rebooting the computer and going to Windows Task Manager to kill the exe for Backdoor before it took control of my computer). However, ever since then Orbit Downloader and Grab++ haven’t worked. Grab++ looks like it’s gone blind. It doesn’t show that its monitoring anything! I did a successful Restore, but that didn’t help. I removed and reinstalled the same version of OrbDownloader and Grab that I had been working with, but that didn’t help. Did you get yours to work again?
Bruce