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Google Chrome

Turn Down the Lights in the Browser

SUMMARY: Focus on a video or movie shown in Google Chrome by 'turning down' the lights on user comments, related movies, and other 'stuff'.

While browsing the web in Google Chrome, have you ever come across a video or image and wanted to just focus on the visuals instead of everything else on the page?

The "Turn Off the Lights" extension may be of help. When visiting supported pages such as YouTube, a light bulb appears on the right side of the Google Chrome address bar. Click this button and the web page, except for the video or image, fades. No more focusing on links to other related videos, user comments, etc. while watching a movie.

To install:


1. From Google Chrome, visit the "Turn Off the Lights" page.

2. Click the "Install" button.

3. Click "Install" in the "Confirm Installation" dialog box when prompted.



Confirming installing the "Turn Off the Lights" extension in Google Chrome




Example of watching a video in YouTube with the "lights" turned off



This extension has a few options - configure the opacity when dimming, adjust the color, and automatically dim the background whenever you click the play button in YouTube.

This tip was written regarding Google Chrome v4.0.249.89 on a Windows XP machine and Turn off the Lights v1.71. Features, information, and screenshots are subject to change between versions and operating systems.

Return to the Google Chrome page.

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The MalekTips website was created in 1998 by Andrew Malek of Envision Programming. The page's goal is to freely disperse computer-related tips, hints, and informative articles. Tips are organized to be easy to find, and are presented clearly, in easy-to-understand language. MalekTips also provides information and links to public-domain, open source, freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download. < more >