Merlin
The Stream Detector

The Stream Detector

This addon provides an easy way to keep track of manifests and subtitles used by various streaming protocols. Also allows for detecting custom file types and downloading media files.

What is The Stream Detector?
The Stream Detector is a Firefox add-on that monitors URLs for playlists and subtitles used by streaming protocols such as Apple HLS, Adobe HDS, MPEG-DASH, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming. It offers direct download of media files and observes other file extensions and Content-Type headers. It can copy URLs in their original form or convert them into commands for various tools. However, it doesn't support proprietary technologies used by YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.
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Merlin
Stats
By: 54ac
Version: 2.11.7 (Last updated: 2023-07-13)
Creation date: 2016-06-03
Weekly download count: 572
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • <all_urls>
  • clipboardWrite
  • downloads
  • notifications
  • storage
  • tabs
  • webRequest
Size: 50.16K
URLs: Website
Stats date:

Chrome-Stats Rank

# 695
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Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Edge
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Merlin
Summary
Analyze keywords

This is a Firefox addon which provides an easy way to keep track of URLs to playlists and subtitles used by Apple HLS, Adobe HDS, MPEG-DASH, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming streams as well as download video/audio files directly and monitor any other file extensions and Content-Type headers.

Copy URLs by clicking their filenames in the addon's popup menu (accessed by clicking on the toolbar icon). URLs can either be copied as they are or transformed into readymade yt-dlp (recommended), FFmpeg, Streamlink, hlsdl or N_m3u8DL-CLI commands, including the User-Agent, Cookie, and Referer headers. The chosen tool then downloads the stream into a single file until it is finished or stopped. Use the addon's options page to customize your experience and e.g. download media files directly.

Note that websites such as YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. are very likely to use proprietary technologies which are not supported by this addon. When it comes to such "mainstream" services, it's better to use the tools (e.g. youtube-dl/yt-dlp) directly.

User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Saves time in detecting and connecting stream files
  • Works well with FFMPEG for video downloading
  • Useful for capturing embedded videos on web pages
Cons
  • Some users experienced issues with the latest version
  • Limited user-friendly features for stream selection
  • May not work for all types of streams
Most mentioned
  • Useful for detecting and connecting stream files
  • Works well with FFMPEG for video downloading
  • Limited user-friendly features for stream selection
Recent reviews
I completly supprt this addon. it i a time saver ween you have a website that dose not support yt-dlp (formerly known a youtube-dl). It conecnts the stream files thogeter. Also it is useful to refresh the page to get all of the strings, than it is easyer to find the string you want.
by Johs, 2024-04-28
by Firefox user 18384358, 2024-04-23
by Firefox user 18384358, 2024-04-23
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

The Stream Detector is risky to use as it requires a number of sensitive permissions that can potentially harm your browser and steal your data. Exercise caution when installing this add-on. Review carefully before installing. We recommend that you only install The Stream Detector if you trust the publisher.

Risk likelihood

The Stream Detector has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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Screenshots
The Stream Detector The Stream Detector The Stream Detector