StreamFab v6.1.7.7: What doesn't work

NewMelle

I've ranted more than enough about the DRM dilemma no need to rehash here however it is unavoidable not to touch on a couple of points regarding this re-encoding/processing solution. I already did a head to head comparison with the competition so no need to rehash that here either but only to mention the the disparity between the two I illustrated. Granted not with specs anywhere near these.

To compare apples to oranges I'll try one or more of the titles above where I do have subscriptions starting with Amazon and post the results. But, I will also post download duration and processing duration as well. Video attributes mean little without them. I will have to rent one or more as none are Included With Prime. I've begun with Aloha Fluffy.

My system is MUCH older than 6 months. Much of it is more than a decade old with some minor upgrades such as storage and SPDIF direct to the mixing console. I have easily thousands of dollars invested in DAW plugins that I can't replace.

Many thanks for taking the initiative and time to do some in depth analysis and comparison! A lot of time and effort went into that. Hats off for sure (picture a thumbs up emoji here)! I do sincerely appreciate when people go above and beyond for others and I am NOT being facetious in the least.

I also have to admit that is a very impressive "workstation."

However, I would not experience anywhere near the same results as I just don't have anywhere near that kind of horsepower. That CPU and GPU alone would eat up a months worth of my pension. I'd have to save for 6 months or more if I still wanted to buy groceries. I was quoted $10,000 by the only fiber company willing to run cable to my home. No, that's not a typo, $10,000.

Some people's phones are more powerful than my workstation. I'm probably in the minority and I'm sure most of you have similar systems and bandwidth to the one used here and don't notice any major difference.

I do. Processing times are extremely obvious with my measly AMD FX 6300 and 4G Nvidia GTX 960 and 16G RAM. I'm sure my system is a POS in most people's eyes.

My system is primarily geared towards music, not gaming so it more than suits my needs for it's primary purpose. I can run dozens of simultaneous plugins and never peak the CPU but there again I don't use bloatware such as Cubase or Pro Tools either. All my GPU has to do is push a 4K 58" display to run Helix HX Edit for my Helix, Boss Tone Studio for the Katana MK II and Reaper. Those have a much higher priority than SF.

I'm about as likely to build a high end PC with high end CPU and GPU for SF as I am a Tesla. There is a downside to being a musician. Money goes into guitars and gear instead of hardware. If SF is performing to your satisfaction that's great! If you're not seeing a major change in performance, also great!

I can't say anything as to the performance with Disney+. I gave up on SF before I got the subscription. Paramount+ was always slow and yes it would play in the background. At best maybe 650Kb/s at times compared to 6.1.6.7 with Amazon which utilized all whopping 9.8Mb/s of my available bandwidth.

A drop of water in a thimble is a much greater volume than a drop of water in a bucket.

Before the DRM fiasco SF performed more than adequately and I was content with the performance. SF for me now is akin to driving a big rig with a 3 horsepower lawnmower engine under the hood. It will move but won't get anywhere in a hurry. If I had that CPU, that GPU and 1.2Gb/s bandwidth I may have never noticed SF was re-encoding.

Just yesterday I finally installed 6.1.7.7 and tested Amazon as it is a known quantity where re-encoding is concerned. I tested with a 20 minute episode of Ghosts. Processing time was pretty much half the total time. It took almost twice the time AS did for the exact same episode. I did this three times in a row just to be sure.

The following is off topic but relevant as it illustrates where my priorities lie instead of high end hardware. Let me show everyone where my money goes and maybe then understand the logic. SF is very low priority compared.

I have been at this for decades. This is only SOME of them. Most were derelicts or in sad shape when I got them. I would not sell a single one to build a high end system. My priorities vastly differ from most other people's priorities. I get far more enjoyment out of grabbing a guitar and playing some Queen, Sabbath, Lynch or Nugent than I ever would playing a game hence the priorities.

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Baker

I still have an issue with whether SF uses screen recording or a combination of screen recording and encoding.
Stan001

If you're on Windows, launch the task manager and look at the activity in the "GPU engine" column. It'll reference "Video Encode" if SF is encoding but if it's just downloading, it'll show GPU 0 - 3D (or GPU 0 - Copy) or, if you have more than one GPU, it'll show GPU 1 -3D, GPU 1 - Copy. (see attached screen snip)

Stan001

New Thread Created by jpp72 - Please don't hijack @KidJoe 's Thread

I still have an issue with whether SF uses screen recording or a combination of screen recording and encoding.
Just doing a 21-minute program from Amazon takes 5 minutes versus a direct download which barely takes a minute.
And forget about the time for movies.

And yes there is a good amount that doesn't work in Peacock, hence the rumor 'if' fixed in SF it will be recording or a combination of that and encoding making it as slow as Amazon.

I have been wanting to get to Netflix with the latest SF, but still have not.

The worst part is I have access to cleverget and the same show on Amazon only took 2 minutes.
The downside of cleverget is they can't fix Netflix and don't even support Peacock.

ADDED: Netflix was kind of mixed results with SF. Older movies downloaded in full 1080p and no encoding according to GPU, but newer movies went into a long processing or encoding/re-encoding mode. Processing time alone for a movie 1hour & 30minutes took 10 minutes.
Stan001

I personally don't see how stating my experience compared to another user here is 'hijacking'. I also never said anything about it not working other than peacock, which kidjoe himself also stated in the original topic. Amazon works but is painfully slow and also my point between Amazon and Netflix is newer stuff both went into encoding, yet Amazon took painfully longer than Netflix which seemed very odd.

jpp72

Not saying YOU hijacked. Your message was simply the first one in the list that was moved

NewMelle

@jpp72 You have my sincerest apologies if I hijacked the thread.

The point I was trying to make is PC specs and bandwidth have a huge impact on software performance, specs not everyone has. It's like comparing apples to oranges. One of those "Your mileage may vary" sort of things. Technically speaking SF for Amazon does work. There again so does a rock when used as a hammer, more or less.

Again, apologies. :o

jpp72

@jpp72 You have my sincerest apologies if I hijacked the thread.

The point I was trying to make is PC specs and bandwidth have a huge impact on software performance, specs not everyone has. It's like comparing apples to oranges. One of those "Your mileage may vary" sort of things. Technically speaking SF for Amazon does work. There again so does a rock when used as a hammer, more or less.

Again, apologies. :o
NewMelle

No worries. I am not accusing anyone. But KidJoe wanted that thread to be about detailed experiences so i just moved whatever wasn't a detailed experience.

jpp72

So you guys remember when i begged @Wilson.Wang to fix the output template?

Well i guess he really hates me now cause for the Amazon Module, it now uses the Movie template for TV Shows.

So this is episodes from 2 different seasons of Survivor:

That DEV is just a certified clown.

NewMelle

I'm sorry, I know it's rude to laugh, but.....

artsunlimited

I'm sorry, I know it's rude to laugh, but.....
NewMelle

In this instance, it's the only acceptable response. There's not enough headdesks in the world for this one.

Apologies to @KidJoe and you, @jpp72 for hijackery on my part - thanks for making this into a separate thread.

StanDiego

I'm having issues with Apple TV+, specifically some of the movies such as The Bourne Ultimatum. When I select it to add to my queue, it gives me an error message that I need to update my browser. At least some series, I'm able to download but movies seem hit or miss, some with the error message about updating my browser, some choose the wrong language (German instead of English), some offer no language at all. It's a mess. It's sad they still advertise and sell these SF modules as though they actually work when in fact they don't.

hizbf

I'm having issues with Apple TV+, specifically some of the movies such as The Bourne Ultimatum. When I select it to add to my queue, it gives me an error message that I need to update my browser. At least some series, I'm able to download but movies seem hit or miss, some with the error message about updating my browser, some choose the wrong language (German instead of English), some offer no language at all. It's a mess. It's sad they still advertise and sell these SF modules as though they actually work when in fact they don't.

StanDiego

DRM M3U8 Downloader and DRM MPD Downloader also have this issue!The official says they can work, but in reality, they cannot work！:mad:

Cats4U

You know, I think it is time to do as DVDFab suggests and leave reviews at the various websites they so kindly posted at https://www.dvdfab.cn/get-dvdfab-free-license.htm. Just do "Step 1". As a good citizen of the world, it is only right to save others from making the mistake of purchasing StreamFab. I would also suggest writing to the Reddit StreamFab forum, but it would probably get you banned there. In regard to that Reddit forum, someone posts at least once a week that they have just purchased StreamFab or are considering purchasing the program imminently. The poor users live in a vacuum over there because the moderator wants it that way so that he looks like the smartest one there.

Sebastian001

I'm having issues with Apple TV+, specifically some of the movies such as The Bourne Ultimatum. When I select it to add to my queue, it gives me an error message that I need to update my browser. At least some series, I'm able to download but movies seem hit or miss, some with the error message about updating my browser, some choose the wrong language (German instead of English), some offer no language at all. It's a mess. It's sad they still advertise and sell these SF modules as though they actually work when in fact they don't.

StanDiego

There we have the old problem again, we use an old browser version only for Windows 7...

Zammo

What is stopping DVDFab hiring staff who CAN crack the DRM ? There must be multiple Chinese people who have the ability to do it.

NewMelle

There we have the old problem again, we use an old browser version only for Windows 7...
Sebastian001

Here we go again. And this helps how?

What happened to the last guy that took your advice and bought a new Win11 box just for SF? Answer: He still had the same major issues we're all dealing with now in Win11! Ask @JJBillings how that worked out. He's now using AS if that tells you anything.

If SF doesn't want to support 7 any more that's no skin off my back. I have a Win11 box on an HDMI KVM right next to me just for this reason. As simple as just pushing a button. When they no longer support Win7 I won't feel a thing. Well, I just have to think simpleton to use a simpleton interface. I wish Windows offered alternative shells and desktops just like Linux. Currently you can choose between fugly, fugly or fugly.

I take it you're also experiencing this issue? Doesn't SF use the same Chromium embedded browser version for all versions of SF for Windows? There's only one installer. Surely if it were the version of the embedded browser we would see a LOT more posts about this, wouldn't we?

We may. The time is coming. I've got the Win11 box on the ready.

Stan001

It could be the site is starting to reject whatever browser or browser agent SF is using. I have seen it with other programs, where peacock rejects the browser or browser agent used when it attempts to load the site. Netflix does it at times too.
You would think it would be an easy fix, but it's starting to show many of the so-called downloaders or recorders have little knowledge of fixing issues they all just jumped on the same bandwagon to release a program that gets streaming provider's content, take people's money with a so-called lifetime license.

Sebastian001

Here we go again. And this helps how?

What happened to the last guy that took your advice and bought a new Win11 box just for SF? Answer: He still had the same major issues we're all dealing with now in Win11! Ask @JJBillings how that worked out. He's now using AS if that tells you anything.

If SF doesn't want to support 7 any more that's no skin off my back. I have a Win11 box on an HDMI KVM right next to me just for this reason. As simple as just pushing a button. When they no longer support Win7 I won't feel a thing. Well, I just have to think simpleton to use a simpleton interface. I wish Windows offered alternative shells and desktops just like Linux. Currently you can choose between fugly, fugly or fugly.

I take it you're also experiencing this issue? Doesn't SF use the same Chromium embedded browser version for all versions of SF for Windows? There's only one installer. Surely if it were the version of the embedded browser we would see a LOT more posts about this, wouldn't we?

We may. The time is coming. I've got the Win11 box on the ready.
NewMelle

Yes, Streamfab uses an embedded Chromium browser version... And that's the problem. This Chromium version is very old. If you were to use the latest Chromium version, Streamfab would probably no longer run on Windows 7.

NewMelle

This is correct. "The problem?" Nah, a problem, but one that doesn't surface often. If chrome_elf.dll is any indicator and it's version is 102.0.5005.115 from 2022 and the latest version of Chrome that runs on Win7 is 109.0.5414.120 then they are not using anywhere near the latest version of Chrome supported on Win7. If the dll version is no indicator then it doesn't matter. It could also be that the Chrome embedded lags behind the full install, but that would be WAY behind. What, they're well into 125 now? It could also have something to do with the version of Widevine CDM in use. There are 5 versions installed with SF 6.1.7.7.

I can't say how Chromium embedded behaves in Win7 as it is likely not a full blown browser, just the basics to function.

Torrent clients on the other hand don't demand certain client versions or OS versions in order to function.

I no longer use SF for anything other than comparative purposes. It is essentially useless for me. Technically yes some of 6.1.7.7 such as Amazon does "work" but only just. The re-encoding is something I simply cannot tolerate. In particular when there are far better options that in addition cost less.

Cats4U

Yes, Streamfab uses an embedded Chromium browser version... And that's the problem. This Chromium version is very old. If you were to use the latest Chromium version, Streamfab would probably no longer run on Windows 7.

Sebastian001

Last I looked, SF used User-Agent as Edge 102. Any Chromium-based browser up to 109 is able to work with Windows 7. A greater danger to Windows 7 is Python 3.8 (which SF currently uses) is deprecating in Oct. 2024. Presently only the x86 version of yt-dlp (YouTubeToMP3Process.exe) can run under Windows 7. That will change when Python 3.8 is deprecated; yt-dlp will no longer work with Windows 7 at all. The current release of mkvmerge.exe (#84) does not run under Windows 7; that shouldn't matter much, since SF uses an ancient version (#68).

I'd have to say Windows 7 was my favorite Windows version (followed by Windows NT) but there comes a point where Microsoft (and other software companies) just make it too difficult to go on using what works best for you. I was so glad to read recently that for the first time ever, Windows 11 lost monthly shares to Windows 10.
News: As of April 2024, Windows 10 had a 70.03% share of the global desktop market, while Windows 11's share dropped to 25.65%. This is a significant decrease from February 2024, when Windows 11's share was 28.16%. Many users seem to have switched back to Windows 10, which has grown past 70% for the first time since September 2023.

NewMelle

I rocked NT 4.0 Workstation for a LONG time. I ran XP long after 7 came out and I completely skipped that abomination Vista. I'll have my Win7 box for a long time yet, that just means I'll be running newer software on the Win11 box. Although not identical, there are tweaks and hacks that make 11 behave a bit more like 7 and less like 10/11 but it's a lot of work.

The reason I assumed SF was using Chrome because of the Chrome components in the install directory.

What function does YouTubeToMP3Process.exe perform?