In the digital age, Tumblr has emerged as a powerful platform for sharing and discovering multimedia content, with video playing a significant role. Occasionally, you might want to copy a video's URL from Tumblr to re-post it elsewhere or to analyze its performance. However, obtaining a direct video URL on Tumblr isn't as straightforward as right-clicking and copying. This article will guide you through the process, ensuring you understand the implications and best practices involved.
Before we dive in, it's crucial to understand that copying and re-posting content without proper attribution is against Tumblr's terms of service and could potentially infringe upon someone's copyright. Always respect the original creator and give them credit for their work.
Accessing the Video from the Post
Before you can copy the URL, you need to access the video. The easiest way to do this is by clicking on the video post. Once clicked, the video will open in a new, larger iframe window, giving you direct access to it.
If the video post is part of a reblog chain with multiple reblogs, it might not open directly. In such cases, click on the 'Reblog Information' text below the date to expand the reblog chain. Find the original post and click on that to open the video in a new window.
Inspecting the-source
Now that you have the video in an iframe, you'll need to inspect the source code to find the URL. Right-click on the video and select 'Inspect' or 'Inspect Element.' This will open the developer tools with the code for the video highlighted.
Within the highlighted code, look for the 'src' attribute. It should contain a URL starting with 'https://video.tumblr.com'. This is the direct URL for the video, and you can copy it for your needs. Here's an example of what you might see:
'src': 'https://video.tumblr.com/tumblr_vxxxxx/xxx_mXmxxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Using Browser Extensions
Some browser extensions can automatically extract and copy video URLs for you. 'Video DownloadHelper' for Firefox or 'Video Downloader' for Chrome are examples. While these tools can save time, they may not work for all videos and are not always reliable.
Using these extensions might be against Tumblr's terms of service, as they can also be used for mass-downloading content. Always respect Tumblr's guidelines and the original creator's wishes when using such tools.
Handling Different Video Sources
While most videos on Tumblr are hosted on Tumblr's servers, some may be embedded from other platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. You can follow the steps above to find the URL, but it might not be directly usable for re-posting, as it won't play in the same context.
For videos hosted on other platforms, you might need to follow the specific platform's guidelines for re-posting videos. Some platforms may allow embedding with specific attributes, or they may require you to re-post the video using their Share button.
Understanding Embed Codes
When you copy the 'src' attribute, you're essentially copying the embed code for the video. This code can be pasted into other platforms to embed the video, but the context (like the player controls) might not function as expected.
Sometimes, you might need to modify the embed code for it to work correctly. This could involve adding attributes like 'frameborder=0' to remove the border around the video, or 'allowfullscreen' to enable full-screen viewing.
Respecting the Original Post's Context
When re-posting a video, always consider the context in which it was originally posted. Adding your own commentary can help give the video new life and maintain its relevance to your audience.
Remember, your goal is not just to re-post the video, but to create value for your own audience. Consider what they might find interesting or useful about the video, and tailor your post accordingly.
In closing, copying a video URL from Tumblr involves a few more steps than a right-click, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Always respect the original creator's rights and Tumblr's guidelines when re-posting videos. Now, go out there and share those amazing videos!