Houlo Video Downloader

Houlo Video Downloader is an intuitive piece of kit that includes a modern interface and rich features for facilitating fast and uncomplicated video downloading and conversion. It caters to all types of users, whether they are experienced with this type of tools or not.

The main application window has a look that blends in with the Windows 8 appearance. All you have to do is paste a URL and click a button to download it immediately. If video conversion is disabled, the fetched files receive the WEBM format.

Houlo Video Downloader is able to turn clips into AVI, WMV, 3GP, MKV, MOV, MPG (MPEG1 and MPEG2) and MP4 videos, prepare them for iPhone and SonyPSP (MP4) devices, as well as to extract the audio track and save it to MP3. Apart from selecting the preferred output type, you can pick a resolution different than the original (up to 1920x1080 pixels).

WEBM files can be converted at a later time through the "Video Converter" module. The previously described settings apply here as well. However, the app does not show remaining time or a progress bar, so you just have to wait for the status to change.

As far as program settings are concerned, you can modify the default download and conversion folders, set the maximum number of simultaneous download tasks (only in the registered edition), enter usernames and password to access websites which require login, as well as set the tool to autorun at system startup.

The straightforward application downloads and converts videos very fast. It has a good response time and runs on low CPU and RAM. We have noticed that other running processes slowed down in our tests, though. Since it can be minimized to the taskbar, Houlo Video Downloader does not interrupt normal user activity.

The output video quality is not the same as the original but it comes very close to it. Houlo Video Downloader aids users in downloading and converting video files from many online services, such as YouTube, backed up by a highly intuitive interface and options. However, there are many similar tools which offer the same experience free of charge (including features locked in the unregistered edition of Houlo Video Downloader), like aTube Catcher.