streamsaver.video
Remember when you wanted to keep something off the telly, you'd just bung a VHS tape in your video recorder and hit record? Simpler times, eh? These days, broadcasters don't like you recording stuff to keep. Freesat and Freeview recorders are becoming more difficult to find. Sky Q is no longer being promoted. Sky Stream, Sky Glass and Freely don't even let you record.
Broadcasters are wresting control of how long you can access their content, directing you to their online services instead of letting you keep your own archive of recorded programmes. You have to rely on the programme or film you want being made available on those services. And as for keeping stuff... maybe it'll be there for 7 days? 30 days? A year? Forever? Who knows - it all depends on the licensing agreement for that particular content.
It's still perfectly legal to keep a TV recording for home use. It's just making that recording in the first place that's become more difficult. That's where streamsaver.video comes in.
Whether you just need a clip of a programme or an entire series, we can make a recording for you that you can keep forever and watch on any device that plays MP4 files. Finally you can show Adolescence to your folks who are never gonna get Netflix.
FAQs
What do you get?
A high quality recording of the programme or excerpt, usually in MP4 format, delivered online via a link. You will need to download the file from the link and store it locally.
What sources can you record from?
Anything legally available in the UK. So that includes broadcast television from the likes of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5 and Sky etc., plus their respective on-demand services, and subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max etc.
What does it cost?
£10 per hour (of TV content) or part thereof, plus the cost of any subscriptions needed to access content that we don't already have (for example, currently we don't have Disney+ or Paramount+, or premium sports subscriptions). Simply fill in the order form and we will let you know the total cost, without obligation. By asking us to capture something from a subscription service, you confirm that you are a subscriber to that service. By asking us to capture a live TV broadcast, you confirm that your household has a UK TV licence.
Seems expensive!
It's a labour-intensive task. This service is intended to be used where the material to be recorded is not commercially available. If it is commercially available, it is generally going to be more cost-effective to simply buy the DVD or whatever.
Do you need notice?
You don't have to tell us before a programme is broadcast as long as that programme is going to be available on a catch-up service. If you're not sure whether this will be the case, please give us as much notice as possible and we will try to capture the live broadcast. This is especially important with any content that has a short availability window on catch-up, such as news programmes and local programmes.
Can you record subtitles?
We can record subtitles on request from the majority of sources. Please note that these will be 'burnt in' to the recording, i.e. you won't be able to switch them off.
Do you remove any adverts?
We will remove any adverts, sponsorship bumpers or presentation elements (e.g. idents and trailers), unless you ask us not to do so (there will be people who love that stuff!).
Are you registered as a business?
No. This isn't going to make my fortune. I'm a television enthusiast wanting to help others like me.
How do I order?
Please complete the order form, and we will send you an invoice and an estimated turnaround time. Alternatively email streamsaver.video [at] protonmail.com with what you need.