Questions Before I Purchase

[VeiledCipher]

Do you have proof that they didn't?

Seriously, do the math on all fronts - the results speak for themselves.
1) For five solid months SF didn't crack a single DRM, while Anystream was fully functional, except for Netflix, in little more than a week. That means the CDM revocation was solvable - so why couldn't SF do the same for even one DRM in all that time?
2) Just going by what was reported here, the "developer" SF supposedly had didn't seem to ever be in direct contact with either of the mods SF conned into being the forum liaison - IIRC their opinion was that his ass should have been fired for incompetence at the end of February. I don't think I'd lose any money betting on that fact that that "developer" didn't exist, that SF didn't have anyone on staff who had a skillset even close to what was needed. Nor did they try to hire one in all that time. All they could come up with as a solution was a ripoff of CleverGet and a Japanese porn module, which would really be a piss-poor use of an actual decrypter's talents.
3) Within something like 8 hours after the Anystream server plug was pulled, hey presto! - SF miraculously had a DRM fix for everything, and all at the same time, with Netflix being the only service with a 540p glitch. Not exactly subtle, you know?

Coincidence is one thing, but this much of it just turns into implausibility.

Believe me or don't, your choice, but you'd be wise to download as if the next major DRM change could undo all of this, because given SF's track record, they don't have anyone on staff who's capable of handling it, nor are they interested in getting anyone who can. StreamFab could totally dominate this market now that their competiton has been taken out, because they're bloody well untouchable in China, but if they persist in going for the cheap module sales rather than getting a decent development team who can crack a DRM, what's actually a damn good product will sadly devolve once again into a shitty version of someone else's screen recorder. Based on past performance of their shooting themselves in the foot, just how likely is it that they'll make that investment? That's what anyone who hasn't purchased the software yet should consider.

This is wrong on all levels. I don't know how many times I have to say this, but SF DIDN'T BUY ANYTHING FROM REDFOX! Anystream used PlayReady, while SF cracked the ChromeCDM in their own way. I am not going to explain it anymore – just read my previous posts.

[Sebastian001]

Do you have proof that they didn't?

Seriously, do the math on all fronts - the results speak for themselves.
1) For five solid months SF didn't crack a single DRM, while Anystream was fully functional, except for Netflix, in little more than a week. That means the CDM revocation was solvable - so why couldn't SF do the same for even one DRM in all that time?
2) Just going by what was reported here, the "developer" SF supposedly had didn't seem to ever be in direct contact with either of the mods SF conned into being the forum liaison - IIRC their opinion was that his ass should have been fired for incompetence at the end of February. I don't think I'd lose any money betting on that fact that that "developer" didn't exist, that SF didn't have anyone on staff who had a skillset even close to what was needed. Nor did they try to hire one in all that time. All they could come up with as a solution was a ripoff of CleverGet and a Japanese porn module, which would really be a piss-poor use of an actual decrypter's talents.
3) Within something like 8 hours after the Anystream server plug was pulled, hey presto! - SF miraculously had a DRM fix for everything, and all at the same time, with Netflix being the only service with a 540p glitch. Not exactly subtle, you know?

Coincidence is one thing, but this much of it just turns into implausibility.

Believe me or don't, your choice, but you'd be wise to download as if the next major DRM change could undo all of this, because given SF's track record, they don't have anyone on staff who's capable of handling it, nor are they interested in getting anyone who can. StreamFab could totally dominate this market now that their competiton has been taken out, because they're bloody well untouchable in China, but if they persist in going for the cheap module sales rather than getting a decent development team who can crack a DRM, what's actually a damn good product will sadly devolve once again into a shitty version of someone else's screen recorder. Based on past performance of their shooting themselves in the foot, just how likely is it that they'll make that investment? That's what anyone who hasn't purchased the software yet should consider.

It is not correct to say that there have been no DRM fixes for five months. Some DRM fixes were already made in version 6164.

It is true that it took five months for Amazon and Netflix, but it won't be long before version 4.10.2710 is no longer the latest... but that is not news.

The two moderators were just moderators on the forum. There is no reason to believe that they should have contact with the developer of the software. If you go to the Apple Store, you wouldn't think that the employees know what Apple is developing or even have contact with anyone in the development department; they can only pass on customer feedback, nothing more.

6.1.6.1 2024-01-26
Due to the DRM upgrade on 2024-01-25, using StreamFab to download newly released videos from streaming services may encounter downloading issues (Error Code: 306/307/308).
The developers are looking into the issue, but we need some time.

6.1.6.4 2024-02-07
Fix: Improved support for downloading videos from Amazon/Hulu/Max/Paramount+/Apple TV+/Tubi/U-NEXT/Lemino/NHK+/AbemaTV/Only Fans/ITVX/Crunchyroll/Shahid/RTL+/Joyn.
- The download mode is back to normal.
- For Amazon, the newly released videos can be downloaded as 540p and EAC3 5.1.
- For Max, the newly released videos can be downloaded as 720p.
- For the other services listed, the video and audio quality is the same as before.
NOTE: For Netflix, Amazon 1080p video quality and the other services, we are still working on it.

[Sebastian001]

The DVDFab team is deeply regretful to learn of the recent shutdown of Redfox.bz and the subsequent discontinuation of their products, AnyDVD and AnyStream. For over two decades, we have shared the market with RedFox, engaging in healthy competition while collectively providing high-quality products and services to our users.

We have no knowledge of the specific circumstances that led to RedFox’s closure. However, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the RedFox team and wish them the best in their future endeavors. Their contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.

We understand that this news may be unsettling for users of RedFox products. We want to assure you that DVDFab remains fully operational and committed to providing you with the best possible software solutions for your needs.

Our team is dedicated to continuously improving our products and services, and we remain passionate about delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our users.

We invite all RedFox users to explore our range of DVD and video software, we are confident that you will find our products to be a worthy alternative to RedFox’s offerings. We are also committed to providing excellent customer support to ensure a smooth transition for all new users.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to serving you in the future.

Sincerely,
The DVDFab Team


Regarding the Recent Changes at RedFox - DVDFab Blog

[Cats4U]

Where is all the hate for the program coming from? As already suggested, get the modules you are most interested in. Might not be the best course getting everything, this is not Pokemon, you don't need to get them all! Thus far, we have gotten there in the end, even if the last major update took 5 months.

I don't have hatred for StreamFab. My hatred is for the way the company is run. They are the least organized of any company I've ever had to deal with. On the other hand, having talked to other people that deal professionally with other Chinese companies, I'm told that this is just par for the course with them. They just wing it with the least amount of expense and forethought.

Still looking for clean or decent bitrate copies of certain videos on the newsgroups. Posts on them are all over the place. One specific show I am looking at right now, some episodes have 5Gb h264 files with decent audio, others barely break 500Mb with h265 and shitty audio and blatant issues. And last I checked, newsgroup providers charged monthly fees as well. That's almost like saying I won't buy something on blu-ray because it is "free" on Netflix. Unless you pay nothing for your internet or for Netflix, that's a lie too.

I haven't used newsgroups in about 20 years. I'm a torrent person. I included newsgroups in my post because Jack, the other former Moderator, was a big fan of newsgroups. We had many friendly competitive discussions over which was better, torrents or newsgroups. Both use the Scene as their sources. I told this story many times, I decided to try StreamFab because I had a touch of guilt in that I was getting videos for free by torrenting. I figured by paying for a streaming fee and using StreamFab I would lose my feeling of guilt. It worked until the various streamers started playing games by switching out DRM keys once or twice a year. They don't get streaming fees anymore. Their loss. They took away that warm feeling that I had when I thought in my mind that I was paying something toward my obtaining the videos I wanted. In my case, these were primarily TV shows, and I used the downloading of the shows as a form of time switching. Anyway, the almost 6 months without working streamers finally put an end to my feeling of guilt and my use of StreamFab. Why I felt guilt is actually pretty silly, since our household paid then and still pays over $US260.00 per month for Comcast cable. I still do record some shows using Emby and several HDHomerun OTA tuners. I used to use the Windows Media Center until Microsoft put an end to it. With WMC, I used 3 HDHomerun Prime tuners with Cable Cards and was able to record everything on cable. My feelings all along were that if you made a program available to be watched, I had every right to download or record it. I'm beyond that now. I have no guilt anymore. Once I can convince my wife, Comcast cable will be gone as well and all our shows will be gotten via torrenting.

[crarbo1]

Cats4U I just tried to Private Message you with a question about the torrent sites you use. I have never used them before and wanted to know what sites you use. If you don't want to go into detail on this post about it, if you could send me a Private Message, if you can, with the information, that would be great. If you don't want to, that is fine too. Just wanted to explore other options just in case StreamFab goes down again for a long period of time like it did this last time with Netflix.

Thanks,
Chuck

[artsunlimited]

It is not correct to say that there have been no DRM fixes for five months. Some DRM fixes were already made in version 6164.

It is true that it took five months for Amazon and Netflix, but it won't be long before version 4.10.2710 is no longer the latest... but that is not news.

The two moderators were just moderators on the forum. There is no reason to believe that they should have contact with the developer of the software. If you go to the Apple Store, you wouldn't think that the employees know what Apple is developing or even have contact with anyone in the development department; they can only pass on customer feedback, nothing more.

6.1.6.1 2024-01-26
Due to the DRM upgrade on 2024-01-25, using StreamFab to download newly released videos from streaming services may encounter downloading issues (Error Code: 306/307/308).
The developers are looking into the issue, but we need some time.

6.1.6.4 2024-02-07
Fix: Improved support for downloading videos from Amazon/Hulu/Max/Paramount+/Apple TV+/Tubi/U-NEXT/Lemino/NHK+/AbemaTV/Only Fans/ITVX/Crunchyroll/Shahid/RTL+/Joyn.
- The download mode is back to normal.
- For Amazon, the newly released videos can be downloaded as 540p and EAC3 5.1.
- For Max, the newly released videos can be downloaded as 720p.
- For the other services listed, the video and audio quality is the same as before.
NOTE: For Netflix, Amazon 1080p video quality and the other services, we are still working on it.

I invite you to read the comments here regarding that release, because it wasn't as it was touted, nor how you remember it to be. 6.1.6.8., which dropped the next day, only "fixed" older content before the CDM revocation. Ditto for the mods remarks.

Look, we could argue about this ad infinitum, and you can believe any press release from SF all you want, I'm simply stating that people should not be complacent about downloading based on SF's past performance, since now there's no save outside of what SF can come up with on their own. They can place their bets accordingly. We'll have to wait for the next great CDM revocation to know for sure. I'd totally love to be proved wrong as I want to be able to use this software in future - just not as a ripoff version of someone else's screen recorder.

[NewMelle]

In a nutshell I'm of the same opinion. I'm just as concerned about both it working now AND will it work for the next DRM shakeup. Can they reproduce the success in a reasonable amount of time? Time will tell, that's for sure.

[artsunlimited]

In a nutshell I'm of the same opinion. I'm just as concerned about both it working now AND will it work for the next DRM shakeup. Can they reproduce the success in a reasonable amount of time? Time will tell, that's for sure.

LOL I knew I liked you for a reason. Your internet is so lousy that it'll take you so much longer to get your money's worth than most people here, so I really hope we're both still downloading at this time next year.

[NewMelle]

It is not correct to say that there have been no DRM fixes for five months. Some DRM fixes were already made in version 6164.

6.1.6.4 2024-02-07
Fix: Improved support for downloading videos from Amazon/Hulu/Max/Paramount+/Apple TV+/Tubi/U-NEXT/Lemino/NHK+/AbemaTV/Only Fans/ITVX/Crunchyroll/Shahid/RTL+/Joyn.
- The download mode is back to normal.
- For Amazon, the newly released videos can be downloaded as 540p and EAC3 5.1.
- For Max, the newly released videos can be downloaded as 720p.
- For the other services listed, the video and audio quality is the same as before.
NOTE: For Netflix, Amazon 1080p video quality and the other services, we are still working on it.

Respectfully I beg to differ. I can't exactly say it's all been rainbows and unicorns.

Some would only come down 480p, not 540p. EAC3 5.1 was short lived as well. I do not consider reverting to a screen recorder "fixed" but a band-aid workaround at best. And let's not forget the issues with downloading series and the ever annoying and obstinate template senility. I consider fixed to be performing as it did when I purchased it, nothing less. A car with only three wheels may be deemed "drivable" but that is also a matter of perspective.

The screen recording method may have been fine for those with high end PCs and gigabit fiber internet. I'm sure they'd have withdrawal seizures if they had to get by with what I have at my disposal. I have done so much, with so little, for so long that I am now certified to do anything with nothing.

For the OP's sake I want to make clear 6.1.8.3 is the first version to completely restore the lost original functionality I paid for in pre-DRM versions (Prime, D+ and P+) meaning 1080p and EAC3 5.1 direct download and is the version I am running now. I can't attest to any of the fixes in the later versions as I don't subscribe to those services and as such have not installed those versions. I learned some time back to take release notes with a grain of salt as at times they could be slightly inaccurate and at others somewhat misleading or confusing.

[Sebastian001]

I will not participate in this discussion any further! Everyone has their own opinion. My opinion is based on facts. These facts show that RTL+'s DRM problem was completely solved with version 6167. Therefore, it is not correct to claim that nothing was done for five months just because it is not the modules they may be using.

DRM revocation has always existed and will happen again in 2024, if we are very lucky it will not happen until after Christmas.

If you download 5 series and 10 films and compare the cost of Streamfab for life with the cost of Blu-ray (which in most cases is of better quality), you will still get it cheaper in the end!

[NewMelle]

Duly noted. My whole point was "improved support" as stated above in the 6.1.6.4 release notes is relative and subject to interpretation and can't exactly be construed as "fixed" (or did you originally mean 6.1.6.7?).

I can't recall where I said nothing was done but did state "6.1.8.3 is the first version to completely restore the lost original functionality I paid for in pre-DRM versions (Prime, D+ and P+)." If I did say nothing was done for five months I apologize for my ambiguity/inaccuracy and stand corrected.

I completely agree it is by far cheaper than Blu Ray barring sudden DRM shakedowns. An MP4/MKV will not de-laminate like a Blu Ray will and I have a handful to prove they do. To date I've not had a single MP4/MKV go south. Not one. I buy digital any more, not physical. And at $20 a pop at most much cheaper than Blu Ray without all the BS (previews and bloat) that comes with Blu Ray. It's a win-win. The OP can take that to the bank for sure.

The OP did message me with questions earlier today. This is what I sent him clearly indicating a DRM change could have an impact at any time.

As far as other streaming services go I recommend you use up the 3 downloads allowed with each trial to determine if it works for you. I can tell you Prime, Disney+ and Paramount+ all work as advertised (with version 6.1.8.3), the others I can't say. I wish they offered a time based trial, say 21 days like AnyStream did which allows you to put the software through the wringer so to speak before purchasing. However it is what it is so take advantage of it.

There is always a chance copy protection will be updated as has been evidenced by the past not only with StreamFab but others which can cause interruptions in the use of the software, but also keep in mind this type of software operates in a somewhat "gray" area of the law and it is always a never ending battle between software such as this and the greedy studios/streaming services.

Screen recorders such as TunePat or MovPilot (as opposed to direct downloaders like SF) are less vulnerable but all they do is simply "watch" the movie or show in the background and record the frames which is prone to issues such as skipping, jumping, garbled video or out of sync audio, the latter of which can drive me simply mad. When someone's mouth opens I expect words to come out, the right words. Akin to watching an old 80s English dubbed Japanese Godzilla movie. They also take longer to download.