Adobe HTTP Dynamic Streaming, f4f file format and Linux Implications

English Multimedia
1

Recently I found I could not watch an episode of TV programme (Homeland) which is available on UK Channel 4 catch up site 4oD.

The file format now used for this programme is f4f. A Google search indicates that I am not alone in having this problem but also, as far as I can see to date, no other Linux user has actually achieved success in playing the format and posted the info to tell us about it.

The actual specification for f4f file format does not appear to be available, contrary to what adobe state on their website. Adobe state this streaming method can be used on Windoze, Mac and Linux but I have not found any working Linux client.

Finally I have just learned from Linux Format magazine that Adobe have announced that it would soon withdraw support for the Linux platform with the release of Flash Player 11.2 its final version of Flash Player for Linux.

Why does this matter? Because HTTP Dynamic Streaming is likely to become the streaming method of choice for all on line video, even when content is free and there is no Linux player for this file format.

Do others share my concern or have i got it wrong?

Budgie2

2

Hi
Works fine for me in Firefox with the flashplayer plugin.

eg fron httpfox;


54:28:55.701	1.753	681	560537	GET
200	video/f4f
http://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/z/Fox.com/14/727/House_HOU817_,3,5,8,13,18,25,00.mp4.csmil/1_1a8501f7247b46b6_Seg1-Frag8_AQCM7wKiQ5QvJ0id3k4QuSd7csgWPqYcJjgAw5yqnpv66MagCGAfmTgKY6KbpiNDwpHjbQYK?als=7.21,8,2.61,1,835,2570,24.15,7,1,126,t,27.82,2633.09,f,s,GNRZXGLDBBMO,2.4.5

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 12.1 (x86_64) Kernel 3.1.10-1.9-desktop
up 2 days 8:04, 3 users, load average: 0.18, 0.09, 0.06
CPU Intel i5 CPU M520@2.40GHz | Intel Arrandale GPU

3

Hi Malcolm,
Is that shockwave flash to which you refer? I have that version 11.2 and latest Firefox but cannot play this format.
Further suggestions welcome.
Budgie2

4

On 2012-04-26 00:59, malcolmlewis wrote:
> Hi
> Works fine for me in Firefox with the flashplayer plugin.
>
> eg fron httpfox;
>


> 54:28:55.701	1.753	681	560537	GET
> 200	video/f4f
> http://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/z/Fox.com/14/727/House_HOU817_,3,5,8,13,18,25,00.mp4.csmil/1_1a8501f7247b46b6_Seg1-Frag8_AQCM7wKiQ5QvJ0id3k4QuSd7csgWPqYcJjgAw5yqnpv66MagCGAfmTgKY6KbpiNDwpHjbQYK?als=7.21,8,2.61,1,835,2570,24.15,7,1,126,t,27.82,2633.09,f,s,GNRZXGLDBBMO,2.4.5
>

I get:


An error occurred while processing your request.

Reference #199.e5139c3.1335435890.570a601

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

5

Hi
From this link: http://www.fox.com/house/full-episodes/14375470/

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 12.1 (x86_64) Kernel 3.1.10-1.9-desktop
up 8:35, 3 users, load average: 0.02, 0.04, 0.05
CPU Intel i5 CPU M520@2.40GHz | Intel Arrandale GPU

6

Hi
Yes it is but Mozilla Firefox 11.0-2.23.1


File: libflashplayer.so
Version:
Shockwave Flash 11.2 r202

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 12.1 (x86_64) Kernel 3.1.10-1.9-desktop
up 8:30, 3 users, load average: 0.07, 0.04, 0.05
CPU Intel i5 CPU M520@2.40GHz | Intel Arrandale GPU

7

On 2012-04-26 13:26, malcolmlewis wrote:

> Hi
> From this link: http://www.fox.com/house/full-episodes/14375470/

Better. But no go.

After downloading a lot, I hear a voice: “this content is currently
unavailable”. The central window that had displayed a photo, then goes black.

I think it means that I’m not in the region of the planet for which the
content is destined, but some sites say this clearly.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)

8

Hi
So there was a flash update today to flash-player-11.2.202.233-15.1

I went to your UK site, but it didn’t play, went to NBC here which has
the same stream tool stream2watchme and it plays fine. Wonder if it’s
just a UK thing?

Maybe someone else UK based can look.

This was my test site;

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 12.1 (x86_64) Kernel 3.1.10-1.9-desktop
up 16:38, 4 users, load average: 0.17, 0.09, 0.07
CPU Intel i5 CPU M520@2.40GHz | Intel Arrandale GPU

9

Hi Malcolm,
The link you give didn’t work for me but I have a few security add-ons and received clickjacking warnings. It is possible that this may be the cause of my problem although I didn’t get those warnings from the 4oD site. However the trend of more invasive requirements from these sites as a condition for them to work is yet another cause for concern.

My problem may be UK related but the Google search suggests the problem may be wider.

Please could you advise where you found your version of flash-player. All I have is shockwave flash and the version reported in firefox is 11.2 r 202 dated 15/3/12. My Firefox is from the openSUSE repo site so may not be as up to date as yours.

You seem pretty relaxed about the news from Adobe concerning support for flash. I would have thought that as a Global Moderator you might have a view on that.

10

You seem pretty relaxed about the news from Adobe concerning support for flash. I would have thought that as a Global Moderator you might have a view on that.

Hi Budgie2

You may be interested in reading this thread on flash

http://forums.opensuse.org/forums/english/get-technical-help-here/multimedia/473998-flashplayer-sucks.html

I mentioned there that there are a couple of open-source alternatives available. You might like to try Lightspark and report back.

11

Hi
There was an update today for flash?


Repository: openSUSE-12.1-Update
Name: flash-player
Version: 11.2.202.233-15.1
Arch: x86_64
Vendor: openSUSE

Firefox is the standard one from 12.1;


Repository: openSUSE-12.1-Update
Name: MozillaFirefox
Version: 11.0-2.23.1
Arch: x86_64
Vendor: openSUSE

If you go here, all is fine?
http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/

–
Cheers Malcolm °¿° (Linux Counter #276890)
openSUSE 12.1 (x86_64) Kernel 3.1.10-1.9-desktop
up 20:06, 5 users, load average: 0.02, 0.02, 0.05
CPU Intel i5 CPU M520@2.40GHz | Intel Arrandale GPU

12

On 2012-04-27 00:26, Budgie2 wrote:
> Please could you advise where you found your version of flash-player.

I see an update today.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4 x86_64 “Celadon” at Telcontar)