M3U8 Downloader 2.0: Download HLS Videos Easier Than Ever

Last updated: December 2024

We're excited to announce a major update to our M3U8 Downloader tool! This update brings powerful new features that make downloading HLS streaming videos simpler, faster, and more reliable than ever before. Whether you're saving educational content, archiving your own videos, or downloading streams you have permission to access, this update has you covered.

What's New in This Update?

This isn't just a minor patch - it's a complete overhaul of how the M3U8 Downloader works. Here are the highlights:

• Built-in CORS Proxy - No more browser extensions needed for most downloads
• Custom Headers Support - Send Referer, Authorization, and other headers through the proxy
• Video Preview - Preview your downloaded video before saving
• Real-time Progress - Watch download progress with speed and ETA estimates
• Auto-retry Failed Segments - Automatically retries failed downloads up to 10 times
• Direct MP4 Output - Downloads are saved directly as MP4 files
• Batch Download Mode - Download up to 10 videos at once

Understanding M3U8 and HLS Streaming

Before diving into the features, let's understand what M3U8 files are and why downloading them can be tricky.

What is M3U8?

M3U8 is a playlist file format used by HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), a protocol developed by Apple for streaming video content. Unlike traditional video files that come as a single download, HLS videos are broken into small segments (usually 2-10 seconds each) that are downloaded and played sequentially.

An M3U8 file is essentially a text file that contains:

• A list of video segment URLs (.ts files)
• Information about video quality and duration
• Encryption keys (for protected content)

Why is Downloading M3U8 Challenging?

Downloading HLS streams presents several challenges:

1. Multiple Files: A single video might consist of hundreds of small segment files
2. CORS Restrictions: Browsers block requests to different domains for security
3. Header Requirements: Some servers require specific headers like Referer
4. Combining Segments: The downloaded segments need to be merged into one video

Our M3U8 Downloader handles all of these challenges automatically!

Feature Deep Dive

1. Built-in CORS Proxy

The biggest improvement in this update is our built-in CoonTool CORS Proxy. Previously, users had to install browser extensions or manually configure their browsers to bypass CORS restrictions. Now, it's as simple as selecting the proxy from a dropdown menu.

How to use it:

1. Paste your M3U8 URL into the input field
2. Select "CoonTool Proxy (Recommended)" from the CORS Proxy dropdown
3. Click Download

The proxy routes your requests through our servers, adding the necessary CORS headers so your browser can access the video segments. This works for most streaming sources that don't require authentication.

2. Custom Headers Support

Some streaming servers require specific HTTP headers to allow access. Common examples include:

• Referer: The URL of the page that should be accessing the video
• Authorization: Bearer tokens or API keys
• User-Agent: Specific browser identification

How to add custom headers:

1. Click the "Headers" button next to the URL input
2. Add your header name and value (e.g., Referer: https://original-site.com)
3. The headers will be forwarded through the CORS proxy to the target server

This feature is particularly useful when you encounter errors like "403 Forbidden" or "Access Denied" - often adding the correct Referer header solves the problem.

3. Video Preview

After your download completes, you can now preview the video directly in your browser before saving it. This lets you verify that:

• The correct video was downloaded
• The quality matches your expectations
• There are no playback issues

The preview uses the browser's built-in video player, so there's nothing extra to install.

4. Real-time Progress Tracking

The new progress display shows you exactly what's happening during your download:

• Segments completed: X of Y segments downloaded
• Download speed: Segments per second
• ETA: Estimated time remaining
• Current stage: Parsing, downloading, or combining

You'll also see notifications for any segments that need to be retried, so you always know the status of your download.

5. Batch Download Mode

Need to download multiple videos? Switch to the "Batch Download" tab and paste up to 10 M3U8 URLs (one per line). The downloader will process them sequentially, saving you time and effort.

This is perfect for:

• Downloading a series of educational videos
• Archiving multiple streams from the same source
• Batch processing your own video content

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download M3U8 Videos

Here's a complete walkthrough for new users:

Step 1: Find the M3U8 URL

The M3U8 URL is the address of the playlist file. You can find it by:

1. Opening your browser's Developer Tools (F12 or right-click → Inspect)
2. Going to the Network tab
3. Playing the video on the source website
4. Filtering by "m3u8" in the search box
5. Copying the URL that ends in .m3u8

The URL typically looks something like:
https://example.com/video/playlist.m3u8

Step 2: Open the M3U8 Downloader

Navigate to CoonTool M3U8 Downloader in your browser.

Step 3: Configure Your Download

1. Paste the URL: Enter your M3U8 URL in the input field
2. Select CORS Proxy: Choose "CoonTool Proxy (Recommended)" if you encounter CORS errors
3. Add Headers (if needed): Click "Headers" to add custom headers like Referer

Step 4: Start the Download

Click the "Download" button. The tool will:

1. Validate your URL
2. Parse the M3U8 playlist
3. Download all video segments (with progress updates)
4. Combine segments into a single MP4 file
5. Display the preview and download button

Step 5: Save Your Video

Once complete, you can:

• Preview the video in your browser
• Click "Download" to save the MP4 file to your computer

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"CORS Error" or "Blocked by CORS Policy"

Solution: Select "CoonTool Proxy (Recommended)" from the CORS Proxy dropdown. This routes requests through our server to bypass browser restrictions.

"403 Forbidden" or "Access Denied"

Solution: The server likely requires a Referer header. Click "Headers" and add:

• Header name: Referer
• Header value: The URL of the website where you found the video

Download Stalls or Fails

Solution: The tool automatically retries failed segments up to 10 times. If downloads continue to fail:

• Check your internet connection
• Try a different CORS proxy option
• Verify the M3U8 URL is still valid

"Invalid M3U8 Format"

Solution: Make sure you're using the correct URL. The file should:

• End in .m3u8 (usually)
• Contain #EXTM3U when viewed directly
• Not be a webpage URL

Video Won't Play After Download

Solution: Try opening the file with VLC Media Player, which supports more codecs than standard players. If the issue persists, the source video may use an unsupported codec.

Tips for Best Results

Choose the Right Quality

Many M3U8 playlists offer multiple quality levels. When you first enter a URL, you may see a quality selection dialog. Choose based on your needs:

• Higher resolution (1080p, 4K): Better quality but larger file size and longer download
• Lower resolution (480p, 720p): Faster download, smaller file, good for mobile

Use a Stable Internet Connection

HLS downloads involve many small requests. A stable connection prevents segment failures and speeds up the overall download.

Be Patient with Large Videos

Long videos (1+ hours) may have hundreds of segments. The progress display will keep you informed, and the auto-retry feature handles temporary network issues.

Technical Details

For those interested in how the tool works:

• Processing: Uses FFmpeg WebAssembly for in-browser video processing
• Output Format: MP4 with H.264/AAC codecs for maximum compatibility
• Concurrency: Downloads 10 segments simultaneously for speed
• Caching: FFmpeg WASM is cached in IndexedDB (~15MB) for faster subsequent loads

Browser Compatibility

The M3U8 Downloader works best on:

• Chrome (version 89+) - Recommended
• Firefox (version 89+)
• Edge (version 89+)
• Safari (version 15+)

Note: Mobile browsers have limited support due to memory constraints and browser restrictions. For best results, use a desktop browser.

Legal Disclaimer

This tool is designed for downloading content you have legal rights to access, such as:

• Your own uploaded videos
• Educational content for personal study
• Videos with Creative Commons or similar licenses
• Content where the owner has given permission

Always respect copyright laws and terms of service. The ability to download does not grant legal permission to use copyrighted content.

What's Next?

We're continuously improving the M3U8 Downloader. Upcoming features we're considering:

• Audio-only extraction
• Subtitle download support
• Quality selection improvements
• Download history

Have suggestions? We'd love to hear from you!

Try It Now

Ready to download your first HLS video? Head over to the M3U8 Downloader and give it a try. With the new built-in CORS proxy and custom headers support, most videos can be downloaded with just a few clicks.

If you found this update helpful, consider bookmarking CoonTool for your future video downloading needs. We're constantly adding new tools and improving existing ones to make your online tasks easier.