RealNetworks has released a closed beta of realplayer 11. It's billed, as the first major media player that enables video downloads from sites like YouTube. Video will be downloaded in its native format or a new Real Internet Video Recording (.ivr) format

Similar to what people already do with streamed and download music rippers, people will be able to store, forward, and share the video files.

While the video recorder is consumer-friendly and merely duplicates what other software and service can do, RealNetworks is a major player. The company will receive strong pushback from the entertainment companies that already license it content through SuperPass and Rhapsody. Don't be surprised if this feature disappears or is crippled with DRM.