14 DAY TRIAL // If you ever wanted the entire functionality of YouTube enclosed in an application, Desktube.tv Lite is exactly the thing for you. The application takes Google’s video streaming service out of the browser and wraps it in an interface, providing all the options available on the website.
This freebie is written in Adobe AIR and installs in a jiffy. When launched, you’ll notice that looks are similar to those of Internet TV software: a large portion of the interface is dedicated to watching the videos, while the functions and options have been integrated in such way so they do not hinder viewing.
Besides the basic functionality of searching for the favorite clips and running them, the application provides the possibility to view entries related to the playing video, access to information on the number of views, subscribers of the channel as well as the description of the video. However, in the case of very large descriptions these will not be available in full.
Comments section also has its spot in Desktube.tv Lite. You will be able to view what others had to say about the running video as well as add your own opinion. In order to do this you will first need to log into YouTube from the application.
Signing in also grants you access to the playlist area and lets you view the channels you subscribed to and the clips you favorited. The app is very flexible when it comes to checking the items available in these areas of your account, but it has its limits. For instance, it does not offer continual playback of the playlist entries in your YouTube account.
Despite this flaw, Desktube.tv Lite can be used to add more content to your YouTube account by enlarging the playlist or subscribing to more channels. Additionally, the application can be used to share the video content you watch. Sharing function requires you to fill some fields with your name, your email address and the recipient’s as well as a message. As far as the latter is concerned it comes predefined, containing a custom Desktube link for watching the video.
If the preset message can be changed to whatever you want, the application seems to deny you access to the original video URL provided by YouTube. No matter which “copy” function you pick in the application, the link will always be a “desktube” one. During our tests we noticed that the context menu available in the application is related to the running clip only. Thus, you won’t be able to add an entry to a playlist or copy its URL from the list under the video screen.
The possibilities for viewing YouTube content are plenty and fit all sorts of preferences. It can tear the video out of the interface so that it looks like you’re running it in a regular player or you can view it full screen or expanded, just like on the page of Google’s service.
Navigation through the movie is done differently than on Google’s website, but the same purpose is achieved and with the same ease. If YouTube displays the frames of the clip as you move back and forth dragging the progress button, thus making it easier to find the piece you want to see, in Desktube you will have the visual when you hold the progress button still.
This is not too much of an inconvenience, but for some users finding a specific part of the video this way may be a bit confusing.
Desktube is not designed specifically for the PC as the developer makes it available for Mac, Linux as well. The download page of the application has spots reserved for mobile platforms, too, currently stating that a version for Android and iOS will be available soon.
Our tests showed that the resources used by the application are slightly more than what a web browser requires to play YouTube vids. Monitoring the same content in Google Chrome and Desktube showed that the latter requires more CPU power when rendering the content.
There are multiple viewing modes for the clips to fit your needs. The application gives access to your subscriptions, playlists and favorite videos. Also, you can share the clips as well as add your own opinion in the comments section. YouTube playlist playback functionality is not available in this edition of the software. Also, you can only copy the URL of the playing video. There is no option to store you YouTube login credentials so that you can automatically sign into the service.
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