How to download Silverlight video from FixPlay (Channel 9)

[gxdata]

See http://bit.ly/bKIRYm

Followup: One of the authors of RTLdownloader (for Silverlight streams on RTL Most Hungarian TV) suggests it should be possible to use ISMDownloader, which is a more generic application, to download Silverlight streams from FixPlay.

The RTL one was of course customized for that server.

ISMDownloader is available at:
http://dvb-crew.atw.hu/applications/...downloader.zip

Usage -
ismdownloader <manifest url> <output: *.mkv>

Obviously, this needs the manifest URL, so you will need to use an HTTP monitor application, such as Charles (http://www.charlesproxy.com/). There are other such utilities, of course.

I believe that the ISM utility locates the optimum bandwidth stream for your system/connection**, then downloads the fragments, and finally merges all the fragments into a final, playable .MKV file package.

** (not sure of this, or if it merely takes the highest bandwidth available on the server)

[gxdata]

Using any of (URL Snooper 2, Fiddler 2, or Charles) the manifest file can be located, and its URL used in ISMdownloader.exe.

Currently, the DRM "attached to" some FixPlay videos will cause the downloader to crash.

See also the thread SmoothDRM

[Anywho]

Originally Posted by gxdata

Using any of (URL Snooper 2,

Don't know what to make of Ch9's FixPlay setup...

I had a look at some of Derren Brown's "Mind" videos. For 28 mins. they are ~380MB. That got me thinking. Internet Download Manager and DownloadHelper both show a heap of MP4's that make up the stream. But ~380MB for MP4's?!?

I did a quick grab with URLSnooper and it showed a link to a WMV file. I downloaded that to see what it was. Turns out that it is the actual WMV of the video (~380MB) and you can use a regular downloader (such as IDM) to download it. I didn't see anything about a manifest file link in URLSnooper though.

I'm guessing the "MP4" version should be less in size compared to the WMV, but if not then perhaps Ch9 are using a chopped-up WMV?

[merlin2004]

I just downloaded a half hour show in the WMV format from FixPlay and using MediaInfo I found the reason the file is so big is it's bitrate.
2000kbs as opposed to around 600kbs for the clips from iView and SBS.
It's also in the original broadcast non square Staandard Def pixel format of 720x576.
That's pretty good quality.

[noob2001204]

Originally Posted by merlin2004

I just downloaded a half hour show in the WMV format from FixPlay and using MediaInfo I found the reason the file is so big is it's bitrate.
2000kbs as opposed to around 600kbs for the clips from iView and SBS.
It's also in the original broadcast non square Staandard Def pixel format of 720x576.
That's pretty good quality.

Do you still have ISMDownloader?
I want it because the link from op's post is dead....

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

Replay Media Catcher 4 (Jaksta) supports Silverlight streams. Jaksta for Mac supports Smooth Streaming as well.

[merlin2004]

I used StreamTransport.

[Stream Ripper]

Screen Capture programs also work, such as Replay Video Capture

Originally Posted by gxdata

Yes, I have it (and possibly an updated link). Do you still want it?

Please post your the link(s) in the following thread: ISMDownloader

[gxdata]

Originally Posted by Stream Recorder

Please post your the link(s) in the following thread: ISMDownloader

No valid links.

Anyone wanting it, contact author - that's not me (see the link to the ISM Downloader thread), or PM me and I can email the version I have.