In simple terms, once the video is fully buffered in browser (the red bar reaches the end), the video is saved on hard disk of computer. So when you click on replay, the video is played instantly from hard-disk and no buffering is required. Even if you are disconnected from the internet but your browser window remains open, then too you can watch video seamlessly. Here are few tips to make the most of this newly implemented feature:
Increase the default cache size of your browser. For IE6, go to ‘Internet options’ and then to ‘General’ tab. Under ‘Temp internet files’ block click on ‘settings’. For IE7 and IE8, you can increase the cache size by going to ‘Internet options’. Under ‘general tab’ and ‘Browsing history’ block, click on ‘Settings’. For Firefox go to ‘Tools’>’Options’ then ‘Advance’ tab, select ‘Network’ tab under it , there you will find ‘Offline storage block’. Increase from default to somewhere 100-200 MB. If you are using popular utility CCleaner, then don’t forget to uncheck ‘Temp Internet file/Internet cache’, so CCleaner wont wipe out your cached video and you can access then even after browser restart.
If you have a slow internet connection then start the video and press pause immediately. Later when you come back to page, it would be available without disruption even if you are disconnected.
Bonus trick ( Should I call it exploit? )
As now youtube videos are cached on your hard disk, you can save them on your computer for offline viewing. For IE7 and IE8, you can increase the cache size by going to ‘Internet options’. Under ‘general tab’ and ‘Browsing history’ block, click on ‘Settings’. For Firefox go to ‘Tools’>’Options’ then ‘Advance’ tab, select ‘Network’ tab under it , there you will find ‘Offline storage block’. Increase from default to somewhere 100-200 MB. Follow These Steps For Offline Viewing Of Youtube Videos from cached location. 1) Go to your computers cached folder. For windows XP : C:\Documents and Settings[user name]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files Or C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 For Firefox : Type about:cache in address bar and hit enter. The last entry on page will give you offline cache device directory. For Vista IE8 cache location : %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low For Vista IE7 cache location : C:\Users[user name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files 2) Sort the files with according to size. 3) Large size files between 3 MB to 7 MB are your video files. Another method of identifying them is that they have 11 character name random name. 4) Copy them and save then to desired location. 5) Rename then with extention “.flv”. 6) Hurray! Done. View with VLC or any other flash player.
