Merlin
The m3u8 Stream Detector

The m3u8 Stream Detector

Formerly known as The Stream Detector Ver.2.12 Formerly known as HLS Stream Detector. Detects M3U8/MPD/F4M/ISM playlists and VTT subtitles used by HLS/DASH/HDS/MSS streams. Assembles readymade youtube-dl/FFmpeg/Streamlink/hlsdl commands.

What is The m3u8 Stream Detector?
The m3u8 Stream Detector is a versatile Firefox add-on formerly known as HLS Stream Detector. It provides an accessible method to track playlists and subtitles utilized by popular streaming protocols - Apple HLS, Adobe HDS, MPEG-DASH, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming. Additionally, this add-on allows the transformation of URLs into readymade commands for multiple tools like youtube-dl, FFmpeg, Streamlink, and hlsdl, facilitating the users to download streams conveniently into single files. Notably, it does not support proprietary technologies used by platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo.
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Merlin
Stats
Rating: 4.04 (26)
Version: 2.1.4 (Last updated: 2020-07-07)
Creation date: 2020-07-05
Weekly download count: 310
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: High risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • webRequest
  • *://*/*.m3u8
  • *://*/*.m3u8?*
  • notifications
  • clipboardWrite
  • storage
  • activeTab
Size: 29.39K
URLs: Website
Stats date:

Chrome-Stats Rank

# 1535 ▲ 13
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Other platforms

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Merlin
Summary
Analyze keywords

This addon provides an easy way to keep track of playlists and subtitles used by Apple HLS, Adobe HDS, MPEG-DASH, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming streams.

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 youtube-dl (recommended), FFmpeg, Streamlink or hlsdl 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.

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) directly.

(youtube-dl, FFmpeg, Streamlink, and hlsdl not provided with this addon.)

The copy button not visible in the Stream Detector. Modified and uploaded

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
  • Functionality for detecting and downloading streams works well, especially with yt-dlp/ffmpeg
  • Saves time by eliminating the need to search through developer tools for stream links
  • Appreciated by users for its effectiveness in extracting m3u8 links
Cons
  • Can cause Twitch buffering issue every few seconds even when detection is disabled
  • Random high CPU usage reported on some websites like Twitter
  • Does not seem to work on YouTube according to a user
Most mentioned
  • Support for yt-dlp/ffmpeg integration
  • Ease of use in extracting m3u8 links
  • Issues with causing Twitch buffering and high CPU usage on certain sites
Recent reviews
Even disable detection is checked, it still cause Twitch buffering in every 5~10 seconds
by Knovour, 2024-02-28
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

The m3u8 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 m3u8 Stream Detector if you trust the publisher.

Risk likelihood

The m3u8 Stream Detector has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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Screenshots
The m3u8 Stream Detector The m3u8 Stream Detector