As of 2026, NHK Plus is becoming more and more part of the NHK ONE environment. It is a streaming service that lets you watch shows whenever you want. Taiga dramas and morning dramas (NHK serial TV novels) are available here, and many users want to record NHK Plus videos for offline viewing.
However, since NHK Plus is not equipped with a download function, it used to be common to record and watch offline on a smartphone. With the 2026 update to Widevine L1 encryption, traditional recording is no longer possible, and only viewing is possible in most cases. Therefore, in this article, we would like to introduce 8 ways to record NHK Plus videos to your PC using professional tools.
Overview: 8 Tools to Record NHK Plus Videos
Before introducing PC software that can record NHK Plus videos, let's select and compare 5 of the 8 options that can record and download videos quickly and stably in 2026. The following quick reference table will give you a rough idea of the performance of each tool.
|
NHK Plus Downloaders |
KeepStreams | Y2Mate | StreamGaGa | StreamFab | CleverGet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Download Method | DRM Decryption | High-Speed Download | High-Speed Recording | High-Speed Download | Video Split Download |
|
Image quality and resolution |
Full HD 1080p | Full HD 1080p | Full HD 1080p | Full HD 1080p | HD 720p |
|
50 min video storage speed |
5 min. | 8 min. | 5 min. | 10 min. | 15 minutes |
| Ease of use | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Preservable formats | MP4/MKV | MP4 | MP4 | MP4 | MP4 |
|
Free Trial |
3 videos | 3 videos | 3 videos | 3 videos | 3 videos |
| Subtitle save | O | O | O | O | ✖ |
| Scheduled recording function | O | O | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Now, below, for those who want to record NHK Plus videos, we will explain each of the 8 software options to download and save programs to your PC.
No. 1 KeepStreams for NHK Plus [Highly Recommended]
WHAT WE LIKE
- Very user-friendly interface
- Full HD high quality download guaranteed
- Stable and fast data extraction
- Save as MP4 and MKV formats
- Ad-free experience
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Limit of 700 downloads per week.
- Up to 3 free downloads for testing.
KeepStreams for NHK Plus is advanced PC software, available for both Windows 11 and macOS 15, that allows you to record NHK Plus videos such as Taiga Drama and morning serials. You can choose resolution and audio quality up to 1080p. The batch function allows you to record NHK Plus videos simultaneously and save them as MP4/MKV files.
| About KeepStreams Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Recommendation | ★★★★★ |
| Saving Method | Direct stream decryption |
| Image quality/resolution | Low-medium-high, up to 1080p Full HD |
| MP4 and MKV format saving | O |
| Ads removal | O |
| Download speed limit | ✖ |
| Free Trial | 3 full videos available for free trial. |
| Pricing System |
|
| Operating Environment |
|
In our experience, the scheduled task feature of this product is a major advantage. You can set a weekly date to record NHK Plus videos automatically as soon as they become available. With its high-speed parsing, a 50-minute show can be saved in about 5 minutes, which is an excellent way to record NHK Plus videos.
No.2 Y2Mate NHK Plus Downloader
WHAT WE LIKE
- Powerful downloader that bypasses simple recording
- Batch processing for entire seasons
- Supports AAC 2.0 and high-quality audio
- Removes all ads
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Monthly subscription price is relatively high
- Up to 3 free downloads from NHK Plus
Y2Mate NHK Plus Downloader uses "data extraction" rather than "recording", so you can record NHK Plus videos for offline use with the same quality as streaming. Y2Mate can save NHK Plus content in high resolution with AAC 2.0 audio tracks.
| For basic information about Y2Mate | |
|---|---|
| Recommendation | ★★★★☆ |
| Saving Method | High-speed stream extraction by removing DRM |
| Image quality | 320p, 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD) |
| MP4 format saving | O |
| Ads removal | O |
| Download speed limit | ✖ |
| Free Trial | Download up to 3 free NHK Plus videos |
| Pricing System |
|
| Operating Environment |
|
No. 3 StreamGaGa NHK Plus Downloader
WHAT WE LIKE
- Batch processing for multiple shows
- Resolution options up to 1080p
- Saves videos in MP4 format
- Ad-free results
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Price is high for single-site use
- Up to 3 free downloads
StreamGaGa NHK Plus Downloader is a reliable choice to record NHK Plus videos on PC, available for Windows and Mac. It uses a built-in browser for stable saving while you watch. The batch function makes it very easy to record NHK Plus videos in one go.
| About StreamGaGa Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Recommendation | ★★★★☆ |
| Saving method | Fast download with DRM removal |
| Quality | 320p, 720p (HD), 1080p (Full HD) |
| MP4 format saving | O |
| Ads Removal | O |
| Download speed limit | ✖ |
| Free Trial | Download up to 3 free NHK Plus videos |
| Pricing System |
|
| Operating Environment |
|
No. 4 NHK Plus Recording Software--StreamFab NHK Plus Downloader
WHAT WE LIKE
- Secure and rapid saving process
- Software from a well-known brand
- Save subtitles as separate SRT files
- Removes all ads
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Monthly subscription is expensive
StreamFab NHK Plus Downloader allows you to record NHK Plus videos to your PC in high quality up to 1080p. You can save NHK Plus content in MP4/MKV format so you can watch them anywhere. This tool is especially recommended for those who want to record NHK Plus videos with SRT subtitles for language learning.
| Basic Information about StreamFab | |
|---|---|
| Recommendation | ★★★★☆ |
| Saving Method | Rapid decryption of NHK Plus streams |
| Video quality | 1080p / 720p |
| MP4/MKV format saving | O |
| Ads Removal | O |
| Download speed limit | ✖ |
| Free Trial | Download up to 3 free NHK Plus videos |
| Pricing System |
|
| Operating Environment |
|
No. 5 CleverGet NHK Plus Video Downloader
WHAT WE LIKE
- Compatible with Windows and Mac OS
- Saves videos in MP4 format
- Ad-free output
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Limited to 720p HD quality
- Parsing takes longer than other tools
- Up to 3 free downloads
CleverGet is a secure software that allows you to record NHK Plus videos easily on both Windows and Mac. When you want to record NHK Plus videos with this tool, you can choose quality up to 720p. While effective, it may take slightly longer to analyze the video data compared to top-tier downloaders.
| About CleverGet Basic Information | |
|---|---|
| Recommendation | ★★★☆☆ |
| Storage Method | Downloads encrypted segments and merges them |
| Image quality | 320p, 720p (HD) |
| MP4 format saving | O |
| Ad removal | O |
| Download speed limit | ✖ |
| Free Trial | Download up to 3 free NHK Plus videos |
| Pricing system |
|
| Operating Environment |
|
No. 6 WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro
WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is a multi-functional tool that can record NHK Plus videos via screen recording. It allows you to select specific areas or full-screen mode and offers frame rates up to 60fps. However, as of 2026, you may need to adjust browser settings to record NHK Plus videos without a black screen due to DRM protection.
No. 7 Wondershare DemoCreator
Wondershare DemoCreator is specialized for screen capture. It is easy to use if you want to record NHK Plus videos and add your own annotations. However, because it is a real-time capture tool, the speed to record NHK Plus videos is much slower than direct downloaders, and DRM updates on NHK Plus can sometimes interfere with the recording.
No. 8 VideoProc Converter
VideoProc Converter is a simple recording software with editing features. Standard screen recorders often can't get clear video from NHK Plus videos after the latest 2026 DRM updates.
How to record NHK Plus videos with KeepStreams
STEP 1 Open the KeepStreams home screen and click on "VIP Service" > "NHK Plus" to visit the official site.
STEP 2 Log in to your NHK account first. Once logged in, simply find the program you want to save and hit play.
STEP 3 As the video begins, a download window will pop up. Just select your preferred quality and subtitle settings, then click "Download Now" to save the show directly to your computer.
Please remember that KeepStreams is for personal use only. We do not promote downloading content that is protected without permission. It is your entire responsibility to ensure that your actions comply with local copyright laws.
FAQs
Q1. Is it legal to record NHK Plus videos？
A1. Saving content for private, personal viewing is generally considered fair use. However, you should never share or distribute these files publicly, as doing so violates copyright regulations.
Q2. Why does my screen go black when I try to record NHK Plus videos？
A2. This is because Widevine DRM (Digital Rights Management). Normal screen recorders will not record the broadcast, so you will see a dark screen. This will not be possible in 2026, hence a special tool is needed to immediately decode the video data.
Q3. Can I record NHK Plus videos on my smartphone？
A3. Mobile apps for NHK Plus have built-in blocks that prevent screen recording. Your best bet is to use a desktop tool like KeepStreams on your PC, then move the finished file over to your phone.
Conclusion
We've walked through 8 different ways to get NHK Plus videos onto your PC. By 2026, dedicated downloaders like KeepStreams have clearly taken the lead over basic recorders since they handle DRM protection so much better.
NOTE: This is for educational purposes only. Before downloading, always verify the terms of service and copyright restrictions of streaming sites. Please use all saved content responsibly and for personal enjoyment only.
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