1. It's pretty easy to batch convert the H264 files from competition using DVDFab. But when I do that I know I'm probably adding a DVDFab tracking token (since that file that was recently created non-encrypted also resided in the DVDFab Directory when I ran it) - but that's not that big a deal for me.
Mike_M
Ya i know but i don't want to convert because you are losing quality when you do and i download a shit ton. On HBO Max, i download most of the Last Chance stuff if i currently have an H264 or even Xvid from way back when. I currently have around 370 Terabytes of stuff and only maybe 25% is H265. Past 3 days, i have been downloading South park from Amazon in H265 and having to convert 315+ files is not something i would want to do. This is the reason i am kinda patient for HBO since i download last chance stuff that usually predates the 1080p issues but i do get annoyed that i can't download the new shit
2. The email sent to us comparing itself to two other programs (see attached) shows the competition I use to be the slowest but you have the option of setting the speed to "Unlimited" in the settings which results in it being a lot faster than StreamFab. I can usually do 2-3 files of the same size via the competition when it's set to "unlimited". StreamFab also takes more time in it's process and mux processes at the end.
Mike_M
I didn't get that email. I think only people who bought DVDFab gets these since why would you try to convince people that bought StreamFab already?
As for the speed, competition used to smoke StreamFab but now it's mostly on par for me (i have 1.5GB/s internet so obviously i will never get that speed downloading a file that is meant to be streamed.
3. StreamFab puts a tracking token in every file you get per their previous info at their website. Is this done during the processing? Recently the un-encrypted file in the StreamFab directory I think gave some insight into what's stored for tracking and included, a Token ID, Email Address, First Usage, IP address, Network address. This file is still being created in the DVDFab directory when I use it, but it's encrypted now. Not really an issue to me due to not sharing files, but it does take additional time & a little more storage space per file. It's probably also added for those that use VPN since you've installed StreamFab on your HD, but not sure.
Mike_M
WTF? Do you have a link to this info??? I don't share my downloads either but that pisses me off. How is that info stored in the file? It should be in the metadata if that is true and i don't see that anywhere. Unless the convert all that info to 128-bit and use that as the Unique ID of the MKV tracks?
4. The competition doesn't have all the problems handshaking with Hulu and having to log off/log on and try files a few times that StreamFab has with Hulu for me.
Mike_M
Since Hulu is 720p, i just get the 1080p versions from Newsgroups
5. The slowdown's that some of us have experienced, including me, when using StreamFab for Amazon Prime do not occur with the competition connected in the same session to my provider and internet. As recent as a day or two ago one user was told it must be his provider.
Mike_M
Ya StreamFab does cause slowdowns during the processing phase and it's annoying. But if you have a GPU and enable hardware acceleration in the settings, it is way better (depending on the GPU). They really should try to optimize this
6. The Lifetime license for the competition includes any new modules they come out with. They have announced that Peacock will be release in near future.
Mike_M
Total scam. I upgraded for DRM MPD but never again.
7. I would not even have tried the competition if StreamFab hadn't went so long on it's HBOMax 720p issue and it being one of my main sites I like.
Mike_M
At least if they were transparent about it. But just we need more time is super frustrating. Wondering if it's just because they are actually trying to crack it or they just can get a cache of decryption keys. At least with the keys, we would have temporary relief until it is "cracked"
8. Both of the software products get 95% of the files I would get. But StreamFab gets some from sites that I also occasionally use, like Roku, Youtube, Apple+, Tubi & Pluto.
Mike_M
Ya for me the DRM MPD is also huge cause there are plenty of obscure sites that i use it on. Yes it's 720p but it's better than nothing. Everything else i can get from newsgroups
9. I like both software products and like having the option of comparing files and choosing the best ones.
I'm sure mileage will vary for each user (especially those from foreign locals to U.S.), but for me, I like both products and think they're both worth having if you can - especially as backups when one is behind on updates. It's nice being able to see the differences in resolution, bitrate, file size and audio available.
Mike_M
Again, for me, it's all about H265. Also getting proper audio/bitrate/subtitles from Netflix is good. I wish they would add support for H265 for Netflix. We know the data is there but we don't have that option with StreamFab
Everything else i can get from newsgroups at ultra-high speed and it's automated with Sonarr so i don't mind staying with StreamFab. After i was scolded for posting a screenshot of StreamFab in the third party section, i deleted my forum account so i haven't been back there in several months.
