While there are several video downloading apps built for the Mac, one that stands out is VideoDuke. Built by Eltima Software, who has provided a multitude of highly usable and efficient Mac offerings, VideoDuke is one that has been long awaited.

VideoDuke allows users to easily download videos from YouTube, Dailymotion and Vimeo in several resolutions. What makes VideoDuke stand out from the rest is the ability to download videos that you stream. Yes, while you are watching that live stream of English Premier football or any other stream you choose to view on your Mac, you can also capture it as you stream. This lets you save content that may not be saved by others on a video site.

It’s been designed in such a way that it efficiently handles the download of videos embedded via HTML5 and streamed content over the RTMP. The app also allows you to choose the level of quality in which to save the content, so things that are not so important can be saved quicker than items that you would like to maintain the quality of.

In a nutshell, VideoDuke supports two levels of operation:

• Simple – fewer controls and options to sift through allow for downloads that are quick and easy
• Advanced – with several options available to enhance downloads, users are able to tweak download performance and quality by playing around with the various options. For instance, when viewing a particular webpage, the Advanced option of downloading will list all web content that can be downloaded and will allow you choose which ones you want.

Another very useful feature is the ability to save the subtitles and close captions, which is very useful when saving foreign films or for viewers who are needing assistance with audio.

Have you ever wished you could easily go back to a particular scene in a movie and couldn’t remember where it was? Instead of fast forwarding and rewinding, VideoDuke lets you bookmark it. Now you can get to it instantaneously.

For best use, I recommend integrating VideoDuke with the browser you use most. This allows for very seamless use of the app, allowing you to start and stop downloading of videos and other files from the webpage. If you have issues, whether or not you’ve integrated with a browser, the tech support for the app is there to help in any way you need. You are never on your own when using this tool; and, even though it is simple to use, you may have questions, and they are there to help.

I really couldn’t see any areas in which this app could be improved. Maybe being able to set up a “recording” of a particular video or show to have it download automatically would be nice. I am thinking particularly in the case of those pesky football games that stream at the early morning hours because games are being played overseas.

As it stands, VideoDuke is an outstanding performer in the video and audio content download market which should not be overlooked when you are comparing options.