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We stumbled across an m3u file that must be the HLS streams. From what I've read, there are currently no API's for this. I think if there were, the customer I am working with would be quite happy as it handles a bunch of questions/concerns they have over the current API's I'm using.
The m3u file has a 720p, 480p, and 360p URLs. These play quite nicely in the html5 video player. Sample code below (although I am not using a valid URL.)
<video width="400" controls>
<source src="https://showboxtr.dropbox.com/hls_transcode/AVAPRFsZT968MfZzWx3cg8x***.some_filemov">
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.
</video>
Are there any API's or ways to access the m3u file? It would solve some issues we are running into.
Currently, we have a prototype that gets a list of video files. We then get a URL for that file, pass it to the video player. This works - but I think it is streaming the actual file no matter the device requeting it (and no concerns for bandwidth).
The current URL's we get back look something like:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/imjXXXXXXgo/some_file.mov?dl=0
I change the URL to:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/imjXXXXXXgo/some_file.mov?raw=1
With raw=1, the html5 video player does play the file back. However, this is not transcoded - correct?
I think it would be nice if there was more documentation on streaming videos. The API notes do have bits and pieces, but you have to do a lot of digging to find what you are looking for. I still have questions I'm a bit shaky about. I've spent a lot of time the last 2 days building a prototype so I could answer my own questions. (Not necessarily a bad thing, but I could have saved time if there was a more concise guide on it.) .
Sorry for the rambling post. I'm hoping there is a way to generate or access the m3u file, but I suspect this is not supported with my current approach since I haven't found any mention of it in the documentation.
Hi Greg,
Peter N said the same thing in 2015: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-API-Support-Feedback/Video-HLS-and-Different-formats/td-p/15...
Is there any development in this area?
@Thebe No, unfortunately I don't have an update on this request.
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