Secret Video Downloader is a freeware Windows application for watching website videos and saving public videos to the computer. Its built-in browser opens video pages, while download controls create local media files. The application also provides picture in picture playback, whole-page screenshots and recording of the screen playing inside its own window.
Video pages inside the player
Secret Video starts with a home screen where the user chooses a website and plays a video. An address bar accepts page addresses, with back, forward and refresh controls for navigation. The Home button returns to the starting screen. Playback controls include play, mute and a seek bar for changing the playback position.
The program detects playable media on the current page and shows its download button when a video becomes ready. It also follows video pages that move to a new address. On recommendation feeds, users can start supported downloads without opening each video’s separate page. Clips also qualify as download inputs. Shortened youtu.be links work as video addresses alongside full page links.
Quality choices and local files
When users start a download, Secret Video first checks whether a site-specific route can handle the page address. Otherwise, it inspects media requests during playback to locate a file address.
Before saving a video, users choose its quality and format. Secret Video offers quality choices for 720p, 1080p and the best quality available from the source.
The saving functions include an MP4 option that converts video to H.264, plus MP3 output for music. Automatic MP4 remuxing places media in an MP4 container. The program can also save other media formats. Users choose the destination folder through the save-folder field in settings; clicking that field opens folder selection. A download speed control adjusts transfer speed.
When a filename already exists, Secret Video supports numbered suffixes such as “(1)” for another copy. It also accepts emoji in filenames. Progress displays cover both downloading and conversion, so the list can show work beyond the initial transfer.
Following the download queue
Secret Video runs up to three downloads simultaneously and processes additional items in order. Its download window collects the jobs in one list, with video thumbnails and progress information. Windows notifications announce completed downloads.
Clicking the download button for a video that already has an active or completed job opens the list. From a download entry, the available actions include:
- Open the downloaded file.
- Open its destination folder.
- Visit the original page.
- Remove the item from the list.
Completed-item controls also support downloading an item again. When a transfer fails, automatic retry handling can attempt the download again.
A floating playback window
Picture in picture moves a website’s full-screen video into a smaller playback window automatically. Users can reposition that window, resize it and keep it above other windows. The video continues playing while another application occupies the rest of the desktop.
Secret Video remembers the last picture in picture position and size. Its main window also remembers its position, dimensions and maximized state.
Page images and playback recordings
Ctrl+P captures the entire web page as an image. This operation saves the page rather than extracting a single frame from its video. Windows notifications also report saved captures.
The recording function captures the screen playing inside Secret Video and saves that recording. Its input is the application’s playback screen, while the screenshot command takes the whole page as a still image.
Saving preferences and extensions
The Preferences page gathers save options and extension management in one place. The Extensions menu lets users switch its functions on or off, and the program updates extensions automatically. The application itself does not update automatically. A separate setting enables or disables hardware acceleration for playback.
