Stop and Seize: Can I download this video?

[Ambrosia7177]

Does anyone here know an easy way to download a copy of this entire (2-hour) video onto my Mac?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/09/06/stop-and-seize/?utm_term=.a894e9d86a97
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2014/09/06/stop-and-seize/?utm_term=.a894e9d86a97
If it was just a couple of minutes, I would simply use SnagIt to capture the video, but for a video like this it would likely blow up the application and/or my Macintosh?!

In the old days you could view the source web page code and pretty easily find a URL to the video file, but these days I think that is all but impossible.

Btw, this is a *very* interesting article and video!! (And that's why I would like a personal copy of it.)

Thanks.

 

[0388631]

What video? There's nothing but static images.
[doublepost=1564458240][/doublepost]Okay never mind. I had to Google it out.

Try downloading this:

https://d21rhj7n383afu.cloudfront.net/washpost-production/The%20Washington%20Post/09-05-2014/5409fa46e4b0af47a136df2e/55131ba5e4b034e7a1cf6502_1413918019198-6y4cd9_t_1433277742495_640_360_300.m3u8

Then use Handbrake to turn the TS file into an MP4. I got the link thanks to IDM, a download manager, because it's capable of finding video files even if they're obfuscated. I highly recommend picking up a good quality download manager for OSX if you get the chance.

Brief research points me towards recommending Fol X.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

What video? There's nothing but static images.
[doublepost=1564458240][/doublepost]Okay never mind. I had to Google it out.

Try downloading this:

https://d21rhj7n383afu.cloudfront.net/washpost-production/The%20Washington%20Post/09-05-2014/5409fa46e4b0af47a136df2e/55131ba5e4b034e7a1cf6502_1413918019198-6y4cd9_t_1433277742495_640_360_300.m3u8

Then use Handbrake to turn the TS file into an MP4. I got the link thanks to IDM, a download manager, because it's capable of finding video files even if they're obfuscated. I highly recommend picking up a good quality download manager for OSX if you get the chance.

Brief research points me towards recommending Fol X.

Thank you for the reply, but most of what you said above is Greek to me?!

Questions:
1a.) What is Handbrake?

1b.) Where can I get it?

1c.) Is it open-source or does it cost?

2.) The link you posted above ends with .m3u8 yet you mention a TS file... Not following you....

3a.) What is IDM?

3b.) Where can I get it?

3c.) Is it open-source or does it cost?

I have more questions but that is a start!

 

[whooleytoo]

Not Zenithal But Handbrake is a (fairly well known) video encoding/converting app. It's free and open-source.

I think IDM is Windows-only? I think he/she is just suggesting you get something like it, for future use. (Never used any download manager on Mac, so can't recomment any. Sorry).

 

[mikzn]

here is another option - $20 - works great and easy to use

YouTube video downloader for Mac OS

 

[0388631]

1a.) What is Handbrake?

Handbrake is a video format conversion software. It can take video in one format and spit it out in another, or compress video further down.

1b.) Where can I get it?

https://handbrake.fr/

1c.) Is it open-source or does it cost?

Open source, free.

2.) The link you posted above ends with .m3u8 yet you mention a TS file... Not following you....

The .m3u8 file extension signifies a streaming source as a playlist file. However, when I load that URL up into IDM, it shows up as a TS file that's 2 hours and something minutes long. It doesn't now because these files are served for a period of a few hours before a new "session" is required.

3a.) What is IDM?

Internet Download Manager.

3b.) Where can I get it?

You can't if you use macOS/OSX. Alternatively, Fol X is the closest you can get.

3c.) Is it open-source or does it cost?

Both IDM and Fol X cost money. The latter has a free version, but the pickings are slim. You can try the free version and see if it'll grab the file served to you.

Alternatively, you can try using Neat Download Manager, too.

https://www.neatdownloadmanager.com/index.php/en/


Any download manager with a browser extension is capable of getting a session link. Alternatively, you don't even need to convert a .ts file to MP4. VLC can play a .ts file without an issue. Scrubbing the video might induce a slight, momentary delay.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Handbrake is a video format conversion software. It can take video in one format and spit it out in another, or compress video further down.

https://handbrake.fr/

Open source, free.

But is it safe? I read it was hacked...

Also, what does Handbrake have to do with the stuff you mention below?

The .m3u8 file extension signifies a streaming source as a playlist file. However, when I load that URL up into IDM, it shows up as a TS file that's 2 hours and something minutes long. It doesn't now because these files are served for a period of a few hours before a new "session" is required.

Internet Download Manager.

So what "Internet Download Managers" can I use with Mac?

You can't if you use macOS/OSX. Alternatively, Fol X is the closest you can get.

I don't understand. This is a Macintosh forum and you are saying that nothinge xists for Macs to capture video or straming video off the Internet?

What is "Fol X"?

Both IDM and Fol X cost money. The latter has a free version, but the pickings are slim. You can try the free version and see if it'll grab the file served to you.

Alternatively, you can try using Neat Download Manager, too.

https://www.neatdownloadmanager.com/index.php/en/

Is "NeatDownlaodManger" an IDM?

Does it run on Mac?

is it safe?

Any download manager with a browser extension is capable of getting a session link. Alternatively, you don't even need to convert a .ts file to MP4. VLC can play a .ts file without an issue. Scrubbing the video might induce a slight, momentary delay.

I was just hoping to get a video file fo that 2 hour video that I can replay on my Mac at a later date.

I appreciate your responses, but I know nothing about video, and all of this sounds very confusing?!

 

[0388631]

But is it safe? I read it was hacked...

Also, what does Handbrake have to do with the stuff you mention below?

It's safe now.

Handbrake is a video conversion utility. You take a TS file as a source and you tell it I want to turn it into MP4, which is a widely known format. It takes some time depending on your computer's specification to convert that video.

You can use the following tutorial to get an idea of how easy it is. It uses Windows as the OS, but Windows and macOS/OSX are similar in how they present files that it shouldn't be difficult to understand.

https://www.howtogeek.com/199618/how-to-use-handbrake-to-convert-any-video-file-to-any-format/

So what "Internet Download Managers" can I use with Mac?

Neat Download Manager and Fol X. I've provided the links above. I'll provide them here again. Both are fine for OSX and Mac OS.

https://www.neatdownloadmanager.com/index.php/en/

https://mac.eltima.com/download-manager.html

There is a free version and a paid version. Try the free version and see if it works for you.

I don't understand. This is a Macintosh forum and you are saying that nothinge xists for Macs to capture video or straming video off the Internet?

What is "Fol X"?

I did not say that all. Please point out where I said that.


I've stated both Fol X and Neat Download Manager are capable of working on macOS/OSX.

Is "NeatDownlaodManger" an IDM?

Does it run on Mac?

is it safe?

Yes, and yes. Though Fol X comes highly recommended when I did my research into download managers a couple years ago after I bought a MBP. Though I ended up not using it.

I was just hoping to get a video file fo that 2 hour video that I can replay on my Mac at a later date.

I appreciate your responses, but I know nothing about video, and all of this sounds very confusing?!

It's very simple to be frank. I understand technology isn't everyone's forte. Install Fol X with the link provided above. Restart your system if it asks you to. It should install a browser extension. This extension will "capture" the link for the video and then you can download it from there to your computer. It'll present itself as a .ts file. You can use VLC to open this file up and watch it from there. If you want ultra portability, you can convert it into MP4.

 

[Gutwrench]

Watching to see if I recognize anyone...namely moi.

 

[chown33]

Watching to see if I recognize anyone...namely moi.

Because: "It’s this type of spontaneous publicity that makes people."

 

[0388631]

Watching to see if I recognize anyone...namely moi.

BARTPD never did stop and seize?

 

[Gutwrench]

Because: "It’s this type of spontaneous publicity that makes people."

That’s why your graphs are so important to me!!

 

[0388631]

You two need a 24 hour psych hold...

 

[Ambrosia7177]

I'm starting to wonder if installing any "Internet Download Manager" is a msart idea...

Found this like when Googling: is Folx safe

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/20/eltima-software-infected-with-malware/


Handbrake, Transmission and Elmedia Player which I think makes FolX all got hacked.

Being so security minded, am I asking for trouble trying to download a video like this video onto my Mac for future reference? (Asking from the standpoint of malicious download software more than a malicious downoad link.)

 

[TheAppleFairy]

I'm starting to wonder if installing any "Internet Download Manager" is a msart idea...

Found this like when Googling: is Folx safe

https://www.macrumors.com/2017/10/20/eltima-software-infected-with-malware/


Handbrake, Transmission and Elmedia Player which I think makes FolX all got hacked.

Being so security minded, am I asking for trouble trying to download a video like this video onto my Mac for future reference? (Asking from the standpoint of malicious download software more than a malicious downoad link.)

I downloaded it and converted it to MP4 if you want it I will send you direct link.

 

[0388631]

Can't blame you. Though it's worth noting even if you got it from the app store there's no guarantee you won't get attacked by software. We've seen time and time again that Apple's own iOS app store has had its fair share of issues, and Apple's reaction nowadays is remedial rather than preventative.

For example you could visit MacRumors and someone could post an image and within that image a payload that won't be picked up because its heuristics don't match up to any vendor. For all you know it could be a sophisticated keylogger that's ultra light weight and persistently attaches itself through all your network gear and could be stuck with you for weeks, months, maybe even years. Or someone could link you to a fairly innocuous looking link that may have a character missing, do a drive-by payload and redirect you to the correct site. Could have been months ago, maybe even years ago and somehow hopped devices. Tech still has that amazing sci-fi feel to it, doesn't it?

Life's crazy, dude. Stay safe.


P.S. I did want to do what TheAppleFairy did for you, but I wasn't sure if that was legal. Sorry. I did watch most of the video. I can definitely see why you wanted it. Happy viewings.


Edit: BTW, wasn't trying to frighten you. The sad reality is that there's a lot of ways to write something malicious that'll evade heuristic analysis by anti-virus and anti-malware, and be able to self-replicate and update itself with new segments or refactoring of its code without being detected to avoid detection. Realistically, this is what may happen to a political dissident in some backwards country or someone believed to be spying against their country. Not some random John Doe on an internet board.


I would however recommend checking out download managers through the app store. I'd check them out myself for you, but I recently sold my MBP and have no idea how to access the store through the web or iTunes on Windows for that matter.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Because: "It’s this type of spontaneous publicity that makes people."

A movie reference from Steve Martin in “The Jerk”?

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Can't blame you. Though it's worth noting even if you got it from the app store there's no guarantee you won't get attacked by software. We've seen time and time again that Apple's own iOS app store has had its fair share of issues, and Apple's reaction nowadays is remedial rather than preventative.

For example you could visit MacRumors and someone could post an image and within that image a payload that won't be picked up because its heuristics don't match up to any vendor. For all you know it could be a sophisticated keylogger that's ultra light weight and persistently attaches itself through all your network gear and could be stuck with you for weeks, months, maybe even years. Or someone could link you to a fairly innocuous looking link that may have a character missing, do a drive-by payload and redirect you to the correct site. Could have been months ago, maybe even years ago and somehow hopped devices. Tech still has that amazing sci-fi feel to it, doesn't it?

You're not helping my already excessive paranoia!

Life's crazy, dude. Stay safe.

Trying...

P.S. I did want to do what TheAppleFairy did for you, but I wasn't sure if that was legal. Sorry. I did watch most of the video. I can definitely see why you wanted it. Happy viewings.

I kinda turned down TheAppleFairy's offer because accepting files from others online is a bad idea...

Yes, it is a fascinating video, and I would love to get a copy for later reference, but I need a way that is safe.

Edit: BTW, wasn't trying to frighten you. The sad reality is that there's a lot of ways to write something malicious that'll evade heuristic analysis by anti-virus and anti-malware, and be able to self-replicate and update itself with new segments or refactoring of its code without being detected to avoid detection. Realistically, this is what may happen to a political dissident in some backwards country or someone believed to be spying against their country. Not some random John Doe on an internet board.

It is also much more likely to happen to Windows users, but yes, the risk to Mac users is definitel growing.

And since privacy and security are my hobby, I am all too aware of these threats!

I would however recommend checking out download managers through the app store. I'd check them out myself for you, but I recently sold my MBP and have no idea how to access the store through the web or iTunes on Windows for that matter.

What do you think about all of this, @chown33 ?