• VHS tapes, popular in the '80s and '90s, now belong to the past.vhs tape image by Sonar from Fotolia.com
  
  Until recently movie fans had to go to the theater or buy videos on cassette or DVD to view films. Now Internet users have thousands of options for downloading videos directly to their computers. Many of these are illegal, but some simple tools can give law-abiding users instant access to movies old and new.
  
  

Fast Internet Connection

• Downloading videos and movies requires a fast Internet connection, such as broadband. A dial-up connection lacks the speed and bandwidth to download such large files.
  
  

Media Player

• You will need a free media player to view downloaded movies. Examples include Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime and VLC. Your computer will automatically select an appropriate player when you open the downloaded movie.
  
  Some movie files use the DivX extension. DivX Plus Player provides the most convenient way to play files of this type.
  
  

BitTorrent Client

• You can download movies and video files via BitTorrent. This connects you to another user's computer, from which you download the file. Free BitTorrent clients include BitTorrent.com, Vuze.com and BitLord.com.
  
  Users call this type of downloading "peer-to-peer sharing." It carries more risks than downloading from an established site, as you must trust other users to send you files that won't harm your computer.
  
  

Stores and Subscription Services

• Sign up with an online store or subscription service, such as iTunes, Netflix or Prime Movies, to download movies legally. After signing up and paying a fee, usually by credit card, you can download films in just a few clicks.
  
  

Permission

• Availability of a movie does not make it legal to download it. Unless you have paid for a downloading service such as iTunes, NetFlix or PrimeMovies, you are responsible for downloading only legal content. This includes public domain films (no longer under copyright) and user-made films where the makers have given permission for others to download the video. Archive.org is a nonprofit website containing movies you can download without breaching the copyright.