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If you want to download a streaming video, you may download a file in M3U8 format. However, the M3U8 format usually contains information to load the stream data during playback, so it cannot be played simply by downloading.
Therefore, this article explains how to convert a downloaded M3U8 file to the versatile MP4 format for offline playback on a computer or other device, with practical examples There are several ways to convert M3U8 to MP4, but here is a simple and effective method This method is simple and effective. Using this method, you can easily convert M3U8 files to MP4 format for wider use.
A solid handling of M3U8 format files will help you download and watch streaming videos. Use this article to find an easy way to download and enjoy your favorite videos.
What is M3U8?
M3U8 is a plain text file format that records and distributes URL information representing the location of media files for continuous playback of video and audio in a playlist. Usually, M3U8 files contain information such as multiple ts files (divided into short videos), video playback time, and playback order. In other words, M3U8 format files are playlists, and files with the extension ".M3U8" are not themselves media files; if you have an M3U8 file, you should be able to play the media content corresponding to the playlist you have recorded inside.
M3U8 was originally developed by Apple for its own devices based on HLS, a video delivery technology that enables high-quality, high-speed streaming playback. Today, it is also used by other streaming services as a common format. For example, video delivery services such as TVer, hulu, Avgel, and GYAO! have applied HLS technology.
M3U8 files are mainly played by streaming video players and cannot be played by regular media players ( traditional players such as Windows Media Player are not applicable either ). Therefore, if you want to download and watch M3U8 videos, you will need to convert them to another format. Fortunately, there are many online converters and software available, and these can be used for easy conversion. By converting to the versatile MP4/MKV file format, you can watch M3U8 videos more freely. Below is how you can download and convert M3U8 videos to MP4.
The most common way to download M3U8 videos [Not recommended].
M3U8 files are necessary for streaming video playback and must be downloaded for offline viewing. By using a professional downloader, you can convert M3U8 files and save the videos. Below is an explanation of the most common ways to download M3U8 videos. There are two main steps to use.
- First, extract (get) the M3U8 URL on your computer.
- After extracting the URL, copy and paste the URL into the downloader to download.
Once this procedure is completed, you can enjoy the streaming video offline. The following is an explanation of the steps in that order.
How to extract (retrieve) the URL of an M3U8 video
Windows version:
- Open the M3U8 video page you wish to download in Google Chrome browser and press "F12" to launch the Developer Tools.
- Select Network.
- Type M3U8 in the search bar in the lower left corner.
- Set the search target to "ALL".
- Click on the search result displayed above.
- Click on "Headers" in the right window.
- Select and copy the URL displayed under the "General" column.
MAC Version:
- Open the video page you wish to download in Safari.
- Open "Development" at the top and set the User Agent to "Google Chrome".
- Click on "Show Page Source" under "Development.
- Type m3u8 in the search box at the bottom of the window that appears.
- Copy the URL in the "Full URL" section of the window that appears to the right.
To download the M3U8 video, extract the URL and paste it into your professional download software, then the video URL will be analyzed and the download will begin once the output file is set.
Must-see] Easy download of M3U8 videos for subscription video services｜KeepStreams Downloader
Content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, HBO, and other subscription video services can also be played as M3U8 files. Can I download videos from these subscription services using the above methods?
As it turns out, none of the above methods will allow you to download M3U8 videos from subscription services. This is because the subscription services have DRM, which is a mechanism to prevent the copying of digital content, and the general method cannot unlock such technology, making it impossible to download the videos.
Therefore, to easily download M3U8 videos from subscription video services, professional download software is required. Below we will introduce a download software--KeepStreams Downloader, which supports more than 60 subscription video services and various video websites.
What is KeepStreams?
It is a convenient way to convert M3U8 videos to MP4 for playback and storage using professional software. In this case, we recommend using KeepStreams.
KeepStreams is a powerful software that converts M3U8 format videos to a variety of mainstream formats, mainly MP4, but also AVI, MOV, FLV, MKV, WMV, etc. With KeepStreams, there is no need to extract M3U8 URLs or go through any complicated procedures With KeepStreams, you can simply play the M3U8 video in the browser within the software and download it in MP4 format. Below, check out the features of KeepStreams.
How to convert M3U8 video to MP4 and download with KeepStreams
KeepStreams is compatible with the following operating systems
- Windows 7/8/8.1/8.1/10/11 or macOS Catalina/Big Sur/Monterey
- 4GB or more RAM
- At least 40 GB of free hard disk space
- Internet connection required
Step 1: Go to the KeepStreams website, download and install the software itself.
Step 2) Launch KeepStreams and enter the URL site of the video you wish to download in the search box at the top of the interface. If the video you wish to download is offered on sites such as Amazon, Netflix, or U-NEXT, you will need to use their VIP service.
Step 3) Once you have searched for the target video, click on the video title to play it.
Step 4) Click the "DRM M3U8" button at the top of the playback window.
Step 5) In the download box that appears, select the quality and bit rate you need. 240P to Full HD 1080P quality is supported, making it easy to download even high quality videos.
Step 6) Check the "Library" column on the left side of the main screen for information on currently downloading or already downloaded video files.
Step 7) Click on the file icon to open the destination of the video and check the downloaded video in mp4 format.
Extension for downloading M3U8 videos | Offliberty
Offliberty is a useful tool for downloading M3U8 videos, and a Japanese version is also available. The procedure is as follows
- Go to the Offliberty website.
- Copy the URL of the video you want to download, paste it into Offliberty's address bar, and click "OFF.
- Wait a few seconds and the video will be "analyzed". Select from the analysis results to your liking, right-click and click "Save Link As" to save the video to your PC in mp4 format. If you wish to save only the audio, click on "Audio".
These are the steps to download M3U8 videos using Offliberty.
Software to download M3U8 | WonderFox Video Converter Factory
WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory is a completely free video downloader that allows you to download not only regular videos, but also videos from over 500 video sites using M3U8 URLs. are as follows
- Launch WonderFox Free HD Video Converter and select "Download".
- Next, click "New Download", paste the M3U8 video URL you just copied into the text box, and click "Analyze".
- Once the analysis is complete, select "MP4" in the video information and click "OK" to add the video to your download list.
- Finally, click "Start Download" to download M3U8.
In short, this M3U8 download free software allows you to download M3U8 directly in MP4 format, not in playlist format, so no conversion work is required. These are the steps to download M3U8 using WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory.
No URL copying required] Extension to easily download M3U8 videos | CocoCut
The "CocoCut" extension allows you to easily download M3U8 videos without the need to copy the URL. This extension is compatible with major browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Before using the "CocoCut" extension to download M3U8 videos, please install Cococut Video Downloder in your browser first. Launch "Google chrome" on your computer and look for Cococut Video Downloder in the "Chrome Web Store". You can also directly access the official website below. Click "Add to Chrome" and make sure to "Add Extension".
Next, we will explain how to download M3U8 videos with CocoCut.
- Using Cococut Video Downloader, access the video site you wish to download.
- When you access the video playback page, you will see a number in the Cococut Video Downloader symbol in the upper right corner. Click on it to see the video files available for download, and select the video you wish to download.
- After checking the selected videos, click "Download Selection" to start downloading.
- You will see the download progress on a new screen. When the download is complete, click "Save" and select a destination. You can now easily save the video.
This is how to download M3U8 videos using "CocoCut" without the need to copy the URL. Now you can easily download M3U8 videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q :Why convert M3U8 to MP4 and other formats?
A :MP4 is the most versatile multimedia format supported by many devices, software, and systems.
- Play on a wide variety of phones, tablets, PCs, TVs, game consoles, and other models and systems
- Supported by most video editing software and apps
- Light file size, suitable for transferring and uploading
Summary
The M3U8 format is applied based on HLS, a high-level video delivery technology, and its characteristics make it applicable to streaming services. This article explained how to play and save M3U8 format videos from streaming services. Although you can use a professional media player to play M3U8 format videos, it will be more helpful to utilize KeepStreams to easily convert M3U8 format videos to mp4 and put them on your iOS or Android phone or PC for viewing. Please give it a try.
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