NHK Plus is an on-demand streaming service that offers free access to the last 7 days (up to 2 weeks for some programs) of past broadcasts of NHK programs as part of NHK's diverse channel offerings. Many people may be considering downloading NHK Plus content for missed broadcasts.
Then, it's a good idea to download NHK Plus videos in MP4 format for offline viewing. In this way, you can watch the downloads on PC anytime, anywhere you like. Therefore, this article explains how to extract the video URL from NHK Plus, download it to your PC, and save it in MP4 format.
And since you're here, you may also be interested in how to record NHK Plus videos for offline viewing, and the best way to remove DRM from NHK+ downloads.
What is NHK Plus?
NHK Plus is a streaming service that lets you watch live NHK TV programs on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. If you're a licensed fee-payer, you can enjoy these programs without restrictions. However, for those who haven't paid the fee, there might be some limits like ads.
While NHK Plus is great for real-time viewing, it doesn't currently offer a direct download feature. To watch your favorite shows offline, you'll need to use special tools to record or download the videos from your computer.
Note: Please note that NHK employs anti-recording technology to prevent unauthorized downloads. Therefore, directly recording the screen might not be the most reliable method.
Why Do We Need to Convert NHK Plus Videos to MP4?
After knowing the basic information about NHK Plus, let's figure out what is MP4 and what makes it so charming now. As a compatible video format, MP4 can work on nearly any player now on the market.
Check the following 2 reasons to see what can MP4 format do for you.
1. HDCP Protection Posed by NHK Plus
NHK Plus videos are protected by HDCP, a technology that prevents unauthorized recording. This means you can't directly record the screen of your device to capture the video. Traditional recording methods, like using your smartphone or a dedicated recorder, won't work. You'll only encounter a black screen in this way.
2. NHK Plus videos are not available outside of Japan.
Additionally, NHK Plus is geo-restricted, meaning it can only be accessed from within Japan. If you try to watch NHK Plus from outside Japan, you'll need to use a VPN, which can lead to buffering and other issues.
By downloading NHK Plus videos and saving them as MP4 files, you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies offline, regardless of your location. Because the MP4 format will not be affected by any limit.
In the following sections, we'll guide you through the process of downloading NHK Plus videos to your PC.
Quick Summary: 3 Methods to Download NHK+ Videos in MP4
Once you've downloaded NHK Plus to your PC, you can use one of three methods to save your favorite shows and movies: professional PC programs, Chrome extensions, or dedicated online downloaders. Let's explore each option and help you choose the best method for your needs.
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Tool/Feature
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PC Program
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Extension
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Online Tool
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Basic Functions
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M3U8, HLS video URL extraction and download
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M3U8, HLS video URL extraction and download
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Features
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System Requirements
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Windows and Mac
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PC + Google Chrome browser
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Windows and Mac |
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Especially work for
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Pursue higher download quality and faster speed
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Like easy download steps |
Download videos for free
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Now let's have a close look into each tool and find out their pros and cons together.
Method 1. Download NHK Plus Video with PC Prorgam
To download videos from NHK Plus on your computer, we recommend you use a convenient and safe download tool to download shows to MP4 in order to watch them anytime, anywhere. Here, we recommend KeepStreams for NHK Plus, which specializes in MP4/MKV downloads of NHK Plus videos.
It is a feature-rich download PC software that perfectly complements downloading NHK Plus videos on your Windows PC and Mac. With the auto-download and batch download features, you can download as many videos from NHK Plus as you like.
What's more, KeepStreams provides a free trial version for all new users. It means that you can download up to 3 videos from NHK+ in Full HD 1080p without costing a penny. Apart from NHK+, KeepStreams can also download videos from J SPORTS and many other Japanese streaming services.
Now let's have a look at how to use KeepStreams to download NHK+ video and convert it to MP4/MKV format automatically.
Before using KeepStreams, please first check your operating environment.
- Windows 11,10 (32/64 bit)
- macOS Catalina,Big Sur, Monterey
- 4GB RAM or higher
- 40GB free hard disk space or more
STEP 1: Download and install the program for your computer system from the official KeepStreams for NHK Plus site. You can also download the program directly by clicking the button below.
STEP 2: Launch the KeepStreams program, click "≡" in the upper right corner, and select and set the MP4 or MKV video format from "Preferences" > "Video Format".
STEP 3: Return to the home screen and select "VIP Service" > "NHK Plus" to access NHK Plus in KeepStreams' built-in browser. (Please note that you may not be able to access NHK Plus outside of Japan.)
STEP 4: Before watching/downloading videos, please log in to NHK Plus first (you cannot watch videos without logging in). Then, select the program or missed video you wish to download and play it.
STEP 5: Once the video is successfully played, click the "M3U8" button in the upper left corner of the built-in browser to display the download settings window. Select the desired quality, subtitles, audio, etc. in the pop-up window.
Click " Download Now" to begin downloading. The downloaded NHK Plus videos can be viewed under "Download"; open the folder on your PC for offline viewing.
Method 2. Download NHK Plus Video with Chrome Extension
CocoCut is an easy-to-use streaming video downloader. Usually, most Chrome extensions are based on yt-dlp or ffmpeg, but CocoCut downloader is an exception.
With this tool, you can download videos from a variety of video sites, including YouTube, for free. In addition, you can easily download streaming videos from sites such as NHK Plus.
Using CocoCut is also very easy, with an intuitive interface. Simply enter the URL of the video you wish to download, and the download will begin instantly. Download your favorite videos freely with CocoCut, which combines ease of use and convenience.
Check the following steps to download NHK+ videos with CocoCut:
STEP 1: First, launch "Google Chrome" on your computer, find Cococut Video Downloder in "Chrome Web Store" and add it to the extension.
STEP 2: Then, while launching Cococut, navigate to the official NHK Plus website in your browser. When you see a number on the Cococut Downloader symbol in the upper right corner, click on it and select the video file you wish to download from the list of available video files.
STEP 3: After checking the check boxes for the videos you wish to download, click the "Download" button to start downloading.
Method 3. Download NHK Plus Videos on Online Downloader Sites
Offliberty is a convenient offline download tool for PCs and smartphones. With this tool, you can easily download videos from video sites such as NHK Plus in MP4 format. In addition, it is possible to save music from music distribution services such as SoundCloud in MP3 format.
Offliberty is a download tool that focuses on ease of use and efficiency. It is one of the most convenient options for those who want to save videos and music easily.
Offliberty is very simple to use. You only need to follow 2 steps to save a NHK+ video in MP4 on your computer:
STEP 1: First, open the Offliberty website. Copy the URL of the video you wish to save, paste it into the address bar on Offliberty's site, and click "OFF.
STEP 2: "Analysis" of the video will begin and the results of the analysis will be displayed for you to download in the format of your choice. The selected video or music will then be instantly saved in MP4 or MP3 format.
FAQs
Q1. How do I transfer downloaded NHK Plus videos to my smartphone?
A1. NHK Plus video data in MPEG-4 format (.mp4) saved on a PC can be transferred to mobile devices (iPhone and android) in various ways for viewing. Here we recommend some free data transfer software.
- iTools
- iFunbox
- Syncios
- CopyTrans Shelbee
- TunesGo
- SyncDroid
- AirDroid
Q2. Is it illegal to download NHK Plus in MP4 format?
A2. Downloading NHK Plus content for personal use is generally legal, but it's important to respect copyright laws. While recording and downloading the content for private viewing is often permitted, using it for commercial purposes or sharing it with others is illegal. Always use downloaded content responsibly and ethically to avoid legal issues.
According to Article 30 of Japan's Copyright Law, to a certain extent, secondary use of a copyrighted work for personal or family use, or for uses intended to be equivalent to those uses, is not considered an infringement.
Q3. Why can't I download NHK Plus videos through Chrome extensions?
A3. While some methods like Chrome extensions and download sites can be used to download NHK Plus content, they may not be effective due to HDCP protection. KeepStreams for NHK Plus, on the other hand, is a reliable and efficient tool that can bypass these restrictions and allow you to download NHK Plus content in high quality.
Summary
In this post, we've explored various methods to download NHK Plus content to your PC. While different tools can be used, KeepStreams for NHK Plus stands out as the most reliable and efficient option.
It offers a seamless downloading experience, bypassing technical limitations and ensuring high-quality output. With KeepStreams, you can easily download NHK Plus videos in MP4 or MKV format, ready to be enjoyed offline.