StreamFab v6.1.7.7: What doesn't work

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?

Sebastian001

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.
NewMelle

Ok NewMelle peace. We can agree on "one problem".

125 is still in beta. From version 127 onwards, ancient CPUs will be removed (without SSE3), I don't know if that will cause problems too.

I don't know exactly which version is packaged in Streamfab, but if they say 102 is included and Windows 7 goes up to 109, then the situation is even sadder than it already is.

Cats4U

What function does YouTubeToMP3Process.exe perform?

It does everything that YT-DLP normally does because it is YT-DLP. YouTubeToMP3Process.exe is a customized YT-DLP that simply contains two additional DVDFab-related options. One will continue to download on error, and the other notes where the DVDFab cache is located. Load up your Windows Command (C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe) and go to C:\Program Files\DVDFab\StreamFab\YouTubeDL. Then type

YouTubeToMP3Process.exe --help

This will list all the options. Compare them to YT-DLP, and they are identical except for the two additional DVDFab options. You can see the version of YT-DLP that it is based on by typing

YouTubeToMP3Process.exe --version

There is also another option you could try, and that is

YouTubeToMP3Process.exe -U

That option will update the program based on the latest stable release of YT-DLP. In the past, it would refuse to update it, but now I see it is working for me now. I'm amazed. Wow! I'm going to have to look into this more. It might have been because I did something on my end and may not work for you, like it didn't work for me in the past. It's been a long time since I played around with YouTubeToMP3Process, and so they might have tweaked it since then.

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.
Cats4U

Yes, Cats, you definitely have to take another look under the hood. Maybe after Willson has switched his last porn modules to Recode or they have cracked the DRM from 2024 in 2027? :-)

Cats, but it also plays a role that Windows 11 excludes hardware that would theoretically still work easily.

My hardware would not officially support Windows 11 either because I only have TMP 1.x. I was able to install Windows 11 through a detour. It works without any problems. (Windows 8 and Vista weren't my friends either)

Sebastian001

What is also worth mentioning with Streamfab is that it doesn't matter whether you have the 32 or 64 bit version installed. Under Revo, 32 bit is always displayed.

Cats4U

I don't know exactly which version is packaged in Streamfab, but if they say 102 is included and Windows 7 goes up to 109, then the situation is even sadder than it already is.

I am still using 6.1.6.7. Actually, I haven't run StreamFab in over a month, as I'm getting all my files via Torrenting now. Anyway, what I would find probably wouldn't be what you would find if you are using a newer version of StreamFab.

Go to C:\Program Files\DVDFab\StreamFab\ and look at the Properties of libcef.dll. In the Details tab it will show you what version of CEF browser StreamFab is running. Next, load up StreamFab and enter on the URL line -

https://www.whatsmyua.info/

This will tell you what type of browser and the version of the browser that StreamFab is presenting to the streamer. This is called a User-Agent. The libcef.dll needs to be below 110 to run Windows 7. Streamers want the User-Agent to be as close to the current stable version of the named browser as possible. With Chromium-based browsers, that would be 124.

What do you get and with which version of StreamFab?

NewMelle

@Cats4U Not just on your end, it updated here as well. Not finding it in the AS install directory so they're using a different method?

I didn't see Amazon Prime in the list of supported sites so I'm not sure updating is going to help me there.

Ok NewMelle peace. We can agree on "one problem".

125 is still in beta. From version 127 onwards, ancient CPUs will be removed (without SSE3), I don't know if that will cause problems too.

I don't know exactly which version is packaged in Streamfab, but if they say 102 is included and Windows 7 goes up to 109, then the situation is even sadder than it already is.
Sebastian001

Don't get me wrong, I'm not pissed. I don't mind if SF abandons Win7. It is the way of the world according to Microsoft and everyone sooner or later kisses their ass, some out of necessity, others out of naivety. The point I was trying to make is upgrading to Win10/11 has zero impact on the issues we're seeing with SF.

TPM should be an option, not a requirement. If the TPM fails you're done. Toast. It is fairly easy to get around the TPM 2.0 requirement for Win11 but can't go into that here. The Win7 system I am using right now also has a Win11 boot drive and no TPM module. Slowly but surely I am TRYING to migrate everything over to 11 but that is a long ways off.

I have not tried SF with Paramount+ recently (I don't want my account locked out again) and I'll be darned if I'm buying the Disney+ plugin just to test (and most likely be disappointed or worse).

6.1.7.7 does "work" with Amazon but I use that term loosely as I don't consider re-encoding an acceptable solution to the DRM issue. I simply won't accept the long processing times that I experience with my system configuration. In the recent past something I did not experience.

I still think it a bit odd there are 5 versions of Widevine CDM installed (this is a fresh install of 6.1.6.7). I'm curios if the browser errors above are due to the wrong version of Widevine being used for those providers.

Sebastian001

I am still using 6.1.6.7. Actually, I haven't run StreamFab in over a month, as I'm getting all my files via Torrenting now. Anyway, what I would find probably wouldn't be what you would find if you are using a newer version of StreamFab.

Go to C:\Program Files\DVDFab\StreamFab\ and look at the Properties of libcef.dll. In the Details tab it will show you what version of CEF browser StreamFab is running. Next, load up StreamFab and enter on the URL line -
https://www.whatsmyua.info/
This will tell you what type of browser and the version of the browser that StreamFab is presenting to the streamer. This is called a User-Agent. The libcef.dll needs to be below 110 to run Windows 7. Streamers want the User-Agent to be as close to the current stable version of the named browser as possible. With Chromium-based browsers, that would be 124.

What do you get and with which version of StreamFab?
Cats4U

I also only use 6161 for Amazon and 6167 for the rest.

Stan001

I also only use 6161 for Amazon and 6167 for the rest.
Sebastian001

Unfortunately, I have tried both 6161 and 6167, I don't know what changed for me with Amazon but neither works they go into analyzing and then after some time error.
6167 was my go-to for Amazon because many times got the better audio as well.
Even tried stuff I got before with 6167 and now goes into the analyzing and error.

Sebastian001

Unfortunately, I have tried both 6161 and 6167, I don't know what changed for me with Amazon but neither works they go into analyzing and then after some time error.
6167 was my go-to for Amazon because many times got the better audio as well.
Even tried stuff I got before with 6167 and now goes into the analyzing and error.
Stan001

they only work with non-updated DRM files

NewMelle

I would but as I've said elsewhere, I use Amazon for more than just movies. There are series I enjoy as well and unless I'm mistaken both of those versions now have an issue with series listing only the first episode as if it were a movie. I don't actually use SF any more. There are far better and more economical options out there for my needs. All this version switching is tiresome.

@Cats4U For some odd reason that URL just pulls up a YouTube search results for me. Using 6.1.7.7, haven't bothered with 6.1.7.8 yet since there was no mention of a DRM fix (just more re-encoding :mad:).

Sebastian001

I would but as I've said elsewhere, I use Amazon for more than just movies. There are series I enjoy as well and unless I'm mistaken both of those versions now have an issue with series listing only the first episode as if it were a movie. I don't actually use SF any more. There are far better and more economical options out there for my needs. All this version switching is tiresome.

@Cats4U For some odd reason that URL just pulls up a YouTube search results for me. Using 6.1.7.7, haven't bothered with 6.1.7.8 yet since there was no mention of a DRM fix (just more re-encoding :mad:).
NewMelle

6161 and 6167 also work with series. I posted a workaround for this. But now you don't need to use it anymore. If you're lucky, you'll get 10 episodes with the old DRM from a series with 100 episodes.

Stan001

they only work with non-updated DRM files
Sebastian001

Yeah, I figure now most, if not all, content has been changed to the updated DRM.
At least what I try to get. Even shows from freevee via Amazon no longer work that I try. And they did work when the initial DRM change came, like I think some stated at first new stuff only was effected now with the mess Amazon is making of their prime library they are changing most now. I saw a few get some things, but it was rented movies, which really I think they would be even better protected. I don't rent movies or shows. And for sure not from greedy Amazon.

artsunlimited

Yeah, I figure now most, if not all, content has been changed to the updated DRM.
At least what I try to get. Even shows from freevee via Amazon no longer work that I try. And they did work when the initial DRM change came, like I think some stated at first new stuff only was effected now with the mess Amazon is making of their prime library they are changing most now. I saw a few get some things, but it was rented movies, which really I think they would be even better protected. I don't rent movies or shows. And for sure not from greedy Amazon.
Stan001

I rented a HD movie last month because I didn't want to wait around for Prime to vanish it - it was older content and downloaded in 540p using 6.1.6.7.

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