streamlink/streamlink
Streamlink
Streamlink is a command line video stream extractor that retrieves direct stream URLs from online services for use in external media players. It functions as a local media stream pipe, redirecting raw video data from web services into local files or players via standard input or HTTP. The project includes a headless browser stream scraper to intercept network requests and extract media data from script-heavy websites, alongside a dedicated processor for HLS and DASH segmented media streams.
The tool utilizes a modular video plugin framework, allowing support for new streaming platforms to be added through a pluggable architecture of custom extraction scripts. This system supports dynamic plugin sideloading from external directories and provides utilities for verifying plugin compatibility with specific URLs.
The software covers a broad range of media operations, including live stream recording, advertisement segment filtering, and media transcoding and muxing. It also provides capabilities for stream metadata analysis, session authentication through cookie management, and local stream hosting.
Features
- Stream Extractors - Extracts direct video stream URLs from online services for playback in external media players via a CLI.
- Video Stream Extraction - Extracts direct video stream URLs and metadata from online services for use in external media players.
- Headless Browser Automation - Intercepts network requests via automated browser engines to extract media data from dynamic websites.
- Stream Piping Utilities - Redirects raw video stream data from web services into local media players via standard process pipes.
- External Video Playback - Extracts video streams from online services for playback in local media players instead of web browsers.
- Multi-Platform Video Extraction - Retrieves stream URLs for recorded video on demand content from various hosting services.
- Live Stream Extraction - Intercepts live video broadcasts from websites and platforms to pipe them into local players.
- Segmented Media Playback - Manages the sequential downloading and queuing of HLS and DASH media segments.
- Stream Source Resolution - Determines the direct stream source for a URL by matching it against available plugins.
- HLS Streaming - Manages segmented HLS and DASH streams with support for live-edge offsets and segment queuing.
- Standard Stream Piping - Bridges raw video data from web services to local files or players using standard input or HTTP.
- Stream - Utilizes a modular system of independent scripts to resolve service-specific URLs into direct media stream addresses.
- Modular Plugin Frameworks - Implements a modular framework that allows adding support for new streaming platforms via pluggable extraction scripts.
- Modular Plugin Systems - Implements a modular architecture that allows adding new streaming platform support via plugins without altering core code.
- Headless Browsers - Uses a headless browser to intercept network requests and extract stream URLs from script-heavy websites.
- Streaming and Video Analysis - Retrieves technical details like resolution and quality from video streams without initiating full playback.
- Stream Recorders - Captures live internet broadcasts and saves them as files on local storage for offline viewing.
- Media Stream Archiving - Writes captured video streams directly to the local filesystem for offline storage using dynamic naming templates.
- Plugin Management - Handles the operational lifecycle and loading of custom plugins designed for diverse online video services.
- Video Stream Pipes - Routes raw video data from web services into external tools for transcoding or specialized processing.
- Media Stream Processing - Provides access to raw video stream data for direct playback or specialized processing.
- Stream Metadata APIs - Provides a programmatic interface to fetch stream metadata and source URLs for external application integration.
- Buffer Duration Control - Provides controls to adjust the length of buffered media segments to optimize playback stability and reduce start-up latency.
- Stream Metadata Inspection - Analyzes video streams to retrieve technical details such as resolution, quality, and available formats.
- Advertisement Blockers - Identifies and removes advertisement segments from video streams to ensure an uninterrupted viewing experience.
- Streaming Optimizations - Adjusts buffer sizes and download thread counts to optimize video stream delivery and prevent playback interruptions.
- Media Transcoders - Combines separate audio and video streams or converts them into specific codecs and formats.
- HTTP Request Customization - Supports adding custom headers, cookies, and proxy settings to outgoing requests for server-side modification.
- Third-Party Plugins - Loads third-party extension modules from external directories at runtime to support new services.
- Local Plugin Discovery - Supports discovering and loading custom plugins from local filesystem directories to expand service compatibility.
- Browser Automation - Controls a web browser for navigating pages and intercepting network requests for data gathering.
- Headless Browser Controllers - Controls headless browser instances to execute JavaScript and intercept network requests.
- Request Middleware Pipelines - Injects custom headers, cookies, and proxy settings into outgoing network requests to bypass restrictions.
- Third-Party Media Player Integrations - Provides the ability to pipe extracted streams into external media players with custom configuration.
- Utilitare CLI - CLI for extracting video streams.
- Internet Services - CLI utility to pipe video streams into external players.
- Video Tools - Extract and pipe video streams to external players.
