Google Chrome Browser - streaming video file capture

**highwayman274** · April 3rd, 2018, 03:38 PM

I have often been frustrated when attempting to download a streaming video from a web-site; particularly when they make you register an account with them in order to gain access. On a couple of occasions, after reluctantly registering an account, I found that the particular video was blocked by the OP, or that the site did not even offer a download feature.

While surfing the web, I stumbled across a youTube video that explained how to use the Google Chrome Browser - Developers Tools menu to locate and save the actual video file (mp3, mp4, wmv, avi, etc).

I am not very tech-savvy, and I struggled a bit to figure it out. I have included the link, below, together with some notes I put together to help me remember the steps.

It has worked for me on quite a few sites, and on a variety of files. However, I have encountered some sites where the process results in a fracturing of https "security"; and once that happens the Developer Tools kit stops functioning. I have also noticed that videos that are preceded by an advertising clip can take a long, long time to load . . . and are more prone to triggering the https "security" breach. Maybe someone with more html coding skill can suggest a "fix".

Google Chrome – Streaming Video File Capture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwiWlGrMj24

At the streaming website, open the desired video, so that you can see it running and also hear it.

Then open the Chrome Settings menu, look for “More Tools” and then click on “Developer Tools”.

When the Developer Tools screen appears, click on “Network”, then click on the “Filters” button to reveal the Filters menu bar.

Click on the “All” button to see a list of file names. If no queue of file names appears press “Control F5” to reload the page. This may halt the streaming video, and you may have to re-run the video to trigger the file-list.

Once the list of file names appears, click on the “Media” button in the Filters Menu bar.

Look in the queue for the largest video file that is loading. There may be several files with the same name. Give them some time to load; if there is a large file it may take several minutes.

Click on the largest video file, and when it is highlighted, right click and select “open in a new tab”.

When that window opens, the video source URL should be displayed in the header. The video should run normally, together with the audio track.

Press “Control-S” to save the video file to your hard drive. This is the actual video file (*.mp3, *mp4, *.wmv), not a screen-recording.

lee232 · May 5th, 2018, 09:10 AM

As anyone noticed I changed on Google Chrome mine keeps freezing all the time when I go on things can anyone help thanks

Rommelbommel · May 24th, 2018, 07:33 AM

In Firefox, I either use the Video DownloadHelper add-on or, as most videos are now embedded with HTML5, I simply right-click and choose "save as".

As for actual streaming sites (webcams), there are tools too.

April 3rd, 2018, 03:38 PM	#1
highwayman274 Former Staff Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Great White North Posts: 7,695 Thanks: 244,898 Thanked 130,588 Times in 8,117 Posts	Google Chrome Browser - streaming video file capture I have often been frustrated when attempting to download a streaming video from a web-site; particularly when they make you register an account with them in order to gain access. On a couple of occasions, after reluctantly registering an account, I found that the particular video was blocked by the OP, or that the site did not even offer a download feature. While surfing the web, I stumbled across a youTube video that explained how to use the Google Chrome Browser - Developers Tools menu to locate and save the actual video file (mp3, mp4, wmv, avi, etc). I am not very tech-savvy, and I struggled a bit to figure it out. I have included the link, below, together with some notes I put together to help me remember the steps. It has worked for me on quite a few sites, and on a variety of files. However, I have encountered some sites where the process results in a fracturing of https "security"; and once that happens the Developer Tools kit stops functioning. I have also noticed that videos that are preceded by an advertising clip can take a long, long time to load . . . and are more prone to triggering the https "security" breach. Maybe someone with more html coding skill can suggest a "fix". *Google Chrome – Streaming Video File Capture* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwiWlGrMj24 At the streaming website, open the desired video, so that you can see it running and also hear it. Then open the Chrome Settings menu, look for “More Tools” and then click on “Developer Tools”. When the Developer Tools screen appears, click on “Network”, then click on the “Filters” button to reveal the Filters menu bar. Click on the “All” button to see a list of file names. If no queue of file names appears press “Control F5” to reload the page. This may halt the streaming video, and you may have to re-run the video to trigger the file-list. Once the list of file names appears, click on the “Media” button in the Filters Menu bar. Look in the queue for the largest video file that is loading. There may be several files with the same name. Give them some time to load; if there is a large file it may take several minutes. Click on the largest video file, and when it is highlighted, right click and select “open in a new tab”. When that window opens, the video source URL should be displayed in the header. The video should run normally, together with the audio track. Press “Control-S” to save the video file to your hard drive. This is the actual video file (.mp3, mp4, *.wmv), not a screen-recording.

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May 5th, 2018, 09:10 AM	#2
lee232 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 260 Thanks: 4,762 Thanked 2,610 Times in 231 Posts	As anyone noticed I changed on Google Chrome mine keeps freezing all the time when I go on things can anyone help thanks

May 24th, 2018, 07:33 AM	#3
Rommelbommel Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 338 Thanks: 160 Thanked 1,119 Times in 244 Posts	In Firefox, I either use the Video DownloadHelper add-on or, as most videos are now embedded with HTML5, I simply right-click and choose "save as". As for actual streaming sites (webcams), there are tools too.