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how to create a torrent

Among the many file download methods available today, "direct download from HTTP server" and "Torrent" might be two of the most popular methods. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The direct download method guarantees the availability of the file(s) as long as the provider doesn't take the file down and also stable speed. On the other hand, the Torrent method can give you top notch speeds on popular files but it depends heavily on the availability of seeds. Older files tend to have less seeders and slower speeds to the point that the files that we want are no longer available for download.

It would be very great if we can combine the best of both worlds: the download speed and the availability of the files. The best way to do that is to combine the direct download with a Torrent. But do you know how to create a Torrent?

The answer is a web service called Burnbit.

Before The Fire

Burnbit has a motto: "If a file exists, there is a torrent of it. If not, it will be burned." The motto clearly suggests that this web service will help users to create a torrent file out of (almost) every existing downloadable file.

All you've got to do is visit their website, type the URL of the file in the field provided, then click burn.

how to create a torrent

There are limitations though. First, Burnbit can only help you with HTTP direct downloads. So if the file that you want is not from that category, you're out of luck. Secondly, the download URL should be alive and won't "die out soon". Third, you must not submit copyrighted files without explicit permission from the author. And last, pornographic materials are strictly prohibited.

create a torrent

Just for the sake of experiment, I tried submitting a download link which forwards users to the real temporary personal download link and I got this error message. I was hoping that I could use this service to download files from those annoying file sharing services, but I guess my expectations were too much.

create a torrent from download

It is also advisable to search for available torrents prior to burning your own torrent. If the file that you want is popular enough, someone else might've already burned it as a torrent and saved you the effort.

create a torrent

Burn Baby, Burn

After pasting the link and clicking the burn button, Burnbit will start to process your file.

create a torrent file

The service will begin burning the file. This process could take a while depending on the speed of the server where the file is stored. There's the display of estimated time to help you predict how long should you wait. Normally it would take just a few minutes. There is also other additional information about the file.

create a torrent file

After the burning process is finished, you can click on the "Download Torrent" button, and then later open the torrent file using the torrent client of your choice.

create a torrent file

After The Fire

So who can benefit from this service? Why would anyone choose this method over direct downloads? Regular downloaders can get additional speed if there are a lot of people who are downloading the same file. Even the worst scenario is still acceptable: there will never be less than one seeder, and the speed will never drop below the file's server speed.

But the one who will benefit the most are the file providers. They can deliver their files to their audience faster without having to put a lot of strain on their server because the bandwidth burden is shared among the downloaders.

All they have to do is burn their file(s) and share the torrent file(s) with their audience instead of the direct download link.

Tips

I curiously tried to burn a file in my Dropbox "Public" folder by pasting the "Public Link" in Burnbit's URL field and it worked like a charm. You can actually host your torrent file in your Dropbox storage.

08 Dropbox public link-1.jpg

If you want to share large files to a group of people, this method could be a killer solution and with less effort than creating your own torrent. Moreover, Burnbit provides file sharers with a nice tracking device. Go to the "Get live download buttons" pane of your burned file page and click the "Generate button" button.

06 Burnbit - Live Download.jpg

You will get a line of code that you can copy and paste in your website/blog (or if you are a Wordpress user, you can utilize the widget), and you will get a live status of your file downloads (the number of seeders and leechers).

how to create a torrent

Have you tried Burnbit? Would you prefer to download/share files using this method? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.