Any plans to increase Apple+ above 480p/360p? Capture?

[Mike_M]

I don't use Apple+ a lot due to it not having much content that I like.

I will subscribe/then immediately cancel (one month) periodically to update shows.

Just did this right now.

Noticed:

Video Quality:

Tetris 360p
Ghosted 480p (1484kb/s, 32kb/s stereo - StreamFab Apple+)
Smigadoon! 480p

Sound:

32kb/s 2 channel only for all - really bad here...

******

But, I can play the videos in StreamFab, use a background screen capture program and get 12,000 kb/s at 720p (just my test settings) with much better audio and then enhance/upscale if wanted.

Perhaps DVDFab/StreamFab can look at how the Apple+ module works & incorporate a "capture" scenario?


I *would* post media file info screen examples, but again this forum is *really* messed up on quota/attachments/uploads for individuals.

Again get message "Upload failed due to your usergroup's upload quota. This file will require 113.7 KB but you only have 21.6 KB of 19.53 MB remaining." - which is ridiculous.

Mona, supposedly increased my quota last time this happened.

First time I've used it since then I think.




Mike

US - CST, No VPN, Win10/Win11 64 Pro

[Mike_M]

Fyi,

Update:

It took two days (running in background/didn't effect browsing & other stuff), but using StreamFab 6.1.1.8, background capturing shows/episodes and then using DVDFab 12.1.0.4 I have caught up on all the Apple+ content I was interested in:

Schmigadoon! (all current episodes)
Tetris
Ghosted
Shrinking (all episodes)
The Last Thing he told me (all current episodes)
Ted Lasso (season 3/had previous 2)

I went ahead & settled at 1280x720 at 4800kb/s (Apple+ via StreamFab captured at 8,000kb/s - converted to H265 @4800kb/s) with 384kb/s Dolby Stereo H265.

I could also enhance/upscale with other software if I desired, but these play *really* nice via USB port in Roku Ultra (that does it's own upscaling) into TV.

The "stereo" is not an issue either, due to my system emulating 6 channel output (but native 6ch does sound better).

It would be good if DVDFab/StreamFab did some of this automatically, but It's nice they can play the Apple+ content via StreamFab.

Mike

US - CST, No VPN, Win10/11 64bit Pro, StreamFab 6.1.1.8 DVDFab 12.1.0.4

Attachments: A few screen shots. (I can upload attachments today! Thanks Wilson Wang)

[whb]

Mike:

I'm curious what program you are using to perform the background screen capture.

Walt

[Mike_M]

Mike:

I'm curious what program you are using to perform the background screen capture.

Walt

Hi Walt,

Sent PM on what I use for screen/background capture & details.

Mike

[Mike_M]

Mike:

I'm curious what program you are using to perform the background screen capture.

Walt

Hey Walt,

Just noticed, even though it acts like it let me send you a PM (Private Message), it didn't actually go (nothing in my PM/sent) to you, because this forum will only allow PM's to Members.

I noticed you joined in 2010?! but are not listed as a "Member"?

I would contact DVDFab/StreamFab to see if they can list you as a member in their forums if you should be, some times that falls thru the cracks on this forum. Not being listed as a member can also effect how your posts are seen/not seen responded too by other people from some posts by others in the past.

Anyway, the software I use for background screen capture is Replay Video Capture Version 9.

I think they are up to version 12 now, but after I paid for Version 10 and it had some ad software built in that's annoying (but doesn't effect the capture) I kept using version 9 since it didn't do those ads.

On the order page, it has a dropdown list that will allow you to also download previous versions if you have an issue with the current one I believe.

They charge $39.95 for license of version you buy (one-time cost) of Replay Video Capture and also offer a 30day money back guarantee and the license is "lifetime" for the version you buy & they usually ask for $9.95 to upgrade to a newer version.

You might want to buy the entire Applian Capture Suite the first time (just to try/look at the other software they have), because it's only $10 more at $49.95 I believe and includes Replay Video Capture.

I *think* the trial (if you download & don't purchase) only allows 3 minutes of capture (I've had it for years, so unsure), but that will show you how it does on your system and needs how it needs to be used/configured.

They had a 25% off code to use a few weeks ago, but that met it's quota of usage and they won't take it now. If you want, you could call them to see if they have another coupon code that would work. I've done that in the past for some software and they provided discount codes.

I allows you to define the capture window and the capture time length, Video kb/s & audio kb/s of the capture .

It tells you the upwards limit of your bps stream capture vs. what speed you are capturing interactively - I have a slower connection so get 8,000kb/s for Apple+, don't know if other people that have faster connections would get a higher bitrate. I also usually watch TV over the internet (Sling), so two streams on my 100mbs internet. But I can also download from StreamFab/other software while capturing and that has not effected the download speed of my capture.

I also normally see 12,000 kb/s video upward limit on other non-Apple+ streams.

I just need to be careful to launch any software that I might use while capturing (some make sounds during launch/or completion of task - which I mute) that might also be captured in the audio stream and I also mute the tabs of Chrome (my default browser) so no sound is accidentally is also captured.

It doesn't have the same issue on "background" capture of video once your Chrome/other windows are overlayed on top of it - just keep Chrome/other open while it's running and don't toggle you're mouse pointer over it (Replay Video Capture) to cause the indicators of pause/etc to popup & be captured. :-)

You can keep the little window that shows capture process, speed of your download vs limit & the amount of time used vs. defined with a little video display opened in the bottom corner of Chrome (which I do), just to make sure everything's proceeding ok.

The ideal thing would be for me to get another hi-def monitor for my older backup computer that's still connected to internet to get the same video quality that's using my older RTX 2070Super card and not worry about "background" capture at all.

But don't have the money to throw at a better monitor with higher resolution for it right now just to capture Apple+ which I do very infrequently (maybe once every 4 months or so).

There are a few other software packages that do background capture, but I've had this one for a long time & it's pretty easy to use, straight-forward and is not subscription based.

I don't know the exact audio feed of Apple+, but it lets me choose 256kb/s in the capture settings - like I said the video is at 8,000kb/s for Apple+.

After I do the capture of Apple+ using StreamFab, I run it thru DVDFab & convert to H265 & Dolby+ 384kb/s.

Hope this helps!

Mike

US - CST, No Vpn, Win 10/11 64 pro, StreamFab Lifetime, DVDFab Lifetime

[jpp72]

Mike:

I'm curious what program you are using to perform the background screen capture.

Walt

If you don't feel like paying for RVC, i strongly suggest you try OBS Studio.

Free and extremely powerful. Not super user friendly but shouldn't be an issue if you are somewhat technical. There are also a ton of tutorials on the web and Youtube.

[Mobe1969]

If you don't feel like paying for RVC, i strongly suggest you try OBS Studio.

Free and extremely powerful. Not super user friendly but shouldn't be an issue if you are somewhat technical. There are also a ton of tutorials on the web and Youtube.

So if you have one of these, and a 4K HDR monitor, does this mean you could actually capture say Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus with 4K HDR?

[Mike_M]

So if you have one of these, and a 4K HDR monitor, does this mean you could actually capture say Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus with 4K HDR?

Hi Mobe1969,

My target for storage & video preferences is H265 .mp4 1920x1080 with Dolby+ with highest kb/s audio I can get & prefer 6 channel native (my system emulates 2 channel to six).

With RVC (Replay Video Capture) for best results I capture at 1920x1080 (Primary Monitor is 2560x1440), 12,000 Video Rate, 256 Audio Rate (see attached), then use DVDFab to convert to H265 384kb/s Dolby.

I got a 12,000 video rate with Apple+ just now & 256 Audio when I only streamed it not playing something on TV in background on the series Hello Tomorrow! (see attached - realizing this forums software does not do very well on displaying larger attachments/details)

But as I mentioned previously, I probably have a slower internet connection, 100, vs some people here and really can't speak to faster feed rates/availability.

I rely on playing videos thru Roku Ultra that does upscaling to TV and plays via USB port 16TB drives @Docking Station & perhaps any new TV that I get at end of this year that will also do upscaling.

Roku: Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) with up-scaling from 720p. Up to 2160p at 60fps (3840 x 2160) with upscaling from 720p and 1080p. Supports Dolby Vision® at 60fps, HDR10/10+ and HLG.

I have seen some discussions from Videophiles/Audiophiles, I don't consider myself one, that usually includes upscaling/enhancing software in addition to other 3rd party video/audio products for tweaking.

That way you can play around with frame interpolations, 60fps, different models, sound, etc...

I'd probably *try* Topaz AI upscaling (2X runs faster)/enhancement for some select favorite movies when I get a better TV, but even with a faster CPU and RTX 3080 Super it's time prohibitive when doing series.

Though, it's *really* nice for enhancing the sub 1080p to 1080p so far & some of the ones I've done of older movies look amazing - like Cocoon.

Maybe others, like Jpp72, can tell you how they use OBS (or other software) for screen capturing and the steps, their process and thoughts on your question.

Mike

US - CST, No VPN, Win10/11 64 Pro, StreamFab Lifetime, DVDFab Lifetime, etc...

[jpp72]

So if you have one of these, and a 4K HDR monitor, does this mean you could actually capture say Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus with 4K HDR?

If the site allows you to play that content at that resolution on a PC then yeah but i seriously doubt that. Maybe if there is a Windows app for the service but not from a browser.

Actually, i think i did come across a userscript on greasyfork that claims to enable Netflix 4K in Edge but i never tried it. Also seem to recall several scripts and extensions on Github that say the same. Always in Edge so you should check that out.

Maybe others, like Jpp72, can tell you how they use OBS (or other software) for screen capturing and the steps, their process and thoughts on your question.

Obviously if it is something you intend to keep, i see why you'd want to process the file and get the optimum settings but in my case, it was strictly a stop-gap.

Before i bought SF and even after a couple of time at most, i would use OBS to capture Love After Lockup when the "scene" never released the episode. I used the default settings and i was fine with it. Eventually a few weeks later i would get the scene one.

I was happy to finally find a VoIP US phone number i could get in Canada that was able to receive SMS shortcodes. That meant i could sub to the US Prime Video and use SF to get the episodes. The scene has actually missed 2 full seasons so i am very happy i can get them from Amazon.

For AppleTV+, i get everything from the scene since they release stuff in 1080p/10mbps and DD+ Atmos/768kbps

[Mike_M]

Fyi,

StreamFab 6.1.2.1 - Silo series on Apple+ is only 32kbs audio 2ch AAC & 480p with video bitrate of 1,523kbs.

Any plans to increase Apple+ Audio & Video that downloads from StreamFab?

Still no response by StreamFab to this post.

Captured each episode at 1280x720dpi 6,000 kb/s video with 384kb/s 2 channel DD+ Audio using StreamFab/DvdFab.

Capturing can get 12,000/8,000 kb/s via my connection and is better (video & audio) than upscaling what downloads from StreamFab for Apple+ current module.

Mike

US - CST, No VPN, StreamFab Lifetime, DvdFab Lifetime

[Mona]

Fyi,

StreamFab 6.1.2.1 - Silo series on Apple+ is only 32kbs audio 2ch AAC & 480p with video bitrate of 1,523kbs.

Any plans to increase Apple+ Audio & Video that downloads from StreamFab?

Still no response by StreamFab to this post.

Captured each episode at 1280x720dpi 6,000 kb/s video with 384kb/s 2 channel DD+ Audio using StreamFab/DvdFab.

Capturing can get 12,000/8,000 kb/s via my connection and is better (video & audio) than upscaling what downloads from StreamFab for Apple+ current module.

Mike

US - CST, No VPN, StreamFab Lifetime, DvdFab Lifetime

No plan for higher-quality Apple TV+ videos.

[Mike_M]

Mona,

Thank you for responding that Apple TV+ is not being worked on in order to get it back to 720p for all content and increase the audio above 32kbs in the future.

The thing I would ask is that you include testing in releases to make sure that you don't nuke the ability to play Apple+ content in StreamFab with new releases like you did in the recent past and had to restore that ability.

The only use StreamFab Apple+ module is to me is due to the ability to screen capture & get 12,000/8,000 kbs video & 384 kbs audio with Dolby+.

Native support of 360/480p with 32kbs audio via StreamFab Apple+ module just isn't good enough, even upscaling is not a good option due to it's low bitrates.

Thanks

Mike

[Mobe1969]

Mona,

Thank you for responding that Apple TV+ is not being worked on in order to get it back to 720p for all content and increase the audio above 32kbs in the future.

The thing I would ask is that you include testing in releases to make sure that you don't nuke the ability to play Apple+ content in StreamFab with new releases like you did in the recent past and had to restore that ability.

The only use StreamFab Apple+ module is to me is due to the ability to screen capture & get 12,000/8,000 kbs video & 384 kbs audio with Dolby+.

Native support of 360/480p with 32kbs audio via StreamFab Apple+ module just isn't good enough, even upscaling is not a good option due to it's low bitrates.

Thanks

Mike

Apple is just a nightmare. I wish I could download stuff from my itunes library to watch offline at full resolution. Especially as those d-bags have on a couple of occasions DOWNGRADED titles in my library (eg from Dolby Vision, HDR1, 4k, Atmos to HD 5.1). Pure theft on their behalf.

[superscorer3]

No plan for higher-quality Apple TV+ videos.

Any change since May on if there are any new plans for higher quality downloads from Apple TV+?