How to download video from TVguide.com (HTTPS flash video .FLV stream)

keehuey · #1 05-19-2006, 11:41 PM

Hey guys! I'm a newbie here. I have tried a lot of ways to download a video from TVguide.com but failed!!!

Any expert can help me to rip this video?

http://online.tvguide.com/Video/Vide...dir=showvideos

Thanks in advance!!!

#2 05-21-2006, 11:03 PM

I can't find the URL of this presumably Flash .FLV stream. It uses HTTPS protocol so URL Snooper (URL finding software) can't get it.

Unfortunately I don't have a broadband connection ATM. If you do you may try the built-in URL finder of Replay A/V (free to try).

After getting the URL you may post it to the address bar of you web-browser to download the .FLV file.

Some download managers including Mass Downloader and NetTransport also support HTTPS protocol. So the only problem here is getting the stream URL.

And non recordable streams can be recorded using screen video capture software.

p.s. I've never seen any HTTPS .FLV streams before... Thanx for posting your question.

keehuey · #3 05-22-2006, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the reply. Someone in the other forum has successfully ripped the video.

It isn't a .flv file, but a .wmv file. The streaming video is actually coming from inside a Flash file. That person somehow have successfully pin-pointed the source of the streaming video. Too bad she won't tell me how she got the link...

#4 05-22-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keehuey

Thanks for the reply. Someone in the other forum has successfully ripped the video.

It isn't a .flv file, but a .wmv file. The streaming video is actually coming from inside a Flash file. That person somehow have successfully pin-pointed the source of the streaming video. Too bad she won't tell me how she got the link...

That's weird. The server's domain starts with flv (flv.world.mii-streaming.net) so I don't think that was a .wmv file. And that must be a very stupid idea to create a streaming player for the .wmv files in flash when you can easily use the Windows Media Player (or other player based on it).

But you can save this video as a .WMV file using screen video capture software like Replay Screencast.

Have you tried Replay A/V as suggested?

The developer of URL Helper promised to try to update program to support the HTTPS protocol.

keehuey · #5 05-22-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

Have you tried Replay A/V as suggested?

I tried it, but not worked.

Pasdar · #6 05-28-2006, 06:22 PM

Use a packet sniffer like Analyzer to find the url.

#7 05-29-2006, 12:12 AM

Can you please show me how to use any packet sniffer to find the HTTPS URL? I can easily find a remote address and port, but I dunno how to get the full URL.

Pasdar · #8 05-29-2006, 08:29 AM

Well, download and install Analyzer.

Open it, click File -> New empty file.

<make sure you are not downloading or uploading anything at this moment, otherwise it will capture too many packets.>

Now click File -> New capture -> OK. It is now capturing whatever packets comes in and leaves.

Now, open the video of which you want its url. After the video has started playing for a sec, stop capturing packets.

Now click File -> Save as ... -> save as a (Text file) .txt file.

In that text file you can do a simple search for the url. CTRL + F, and search for the url.

There are also plugins for firefox that allow you to download from many of these sites btw. It is called Videodownloader, you can get it on the extentions page of firefox. Then you always have an icon on the right side of your browser, if you click on it, it pops up a page with links to the swf/flv/avi/wahetevr videos on that site. Simple right click save and you have the video.

Pasdar · #9 05-29-2006, 08:38 AM

This site uses a lot of variables to refer to the video. Really annoying. But once you find the first one, the rest is easy.

#10 05-29-2006, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasdar

Well, download and install Analyzer.

Open it, click File -> New empty file.

<make sure you are not downloading or uploading anything at this moment, otherwise it will capture too many packets.>

Now click File -> New capture -> OK. It is now capturing whatever packets comes in and leaves.

Now, open the video of which you want its url. After the video has started playing for a sec, stop capturing packets.

Now click File -> Save as ... -> save as a (Text file) .txt file.

In that text file you can do a simple search for the url. CTRL + F, and search for the url.

I've asked you about it 'coz I've already tried to search this way. The only difference is that I have used an internal search function of ethereal. I've tried analyzer and it gave me the same result - can't find the "flv" string in the packets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasdar

There are also plugins for firefox that allow you to download from many of these sites btw. It is called Videodownloader, you can get it on the extentions page of firefox. Then you always have an icon on the right side of your browser, if you click on it, it pops up a page with links to the swf/flv/avi/wahetevr videos on that site. Simple right click save and you have the video.

I don't really like that plug-in 'coz it uses a web-site to download. Although it does work pretty well with some services, it doesn't work with this web-site either.