How to Download Video with Blob URL

The internet is a marvellous place filled with exciting pages, articles, and content. Within this plethora of online creations, you will naturally come across videos that pique your interest. However, due to some reason, you are unable to access the source of the video. If you find yourself struggling with the same issue, you are at the right place. We bring to you a helpful guide that will teach you how to download videos with Blob URL.

How to Download Video with Blob URL

How to Download Video with Blob URL

What are Blob URLs?

Blob URLs are pseudo protocols that assign temporary URLs to media files. This process is crucial because most websites cannot process the raw data contained by files. They require data in the form of binary code that loads through the blob URL. In simpler terms, the blob URL provides data and acts as a fake source for the files on a website.

The blob URL addresses can be found in the DevTools of the webpage. These links, however, cannot be accessed because their source page does not exist. Nevertheless, there are a few different ways through which you can download a blob URL video.

Method 1:  Use VLC Media Player to Convert and Download Blob Video

VLC Media Player might not be as popular as it once used to be, but the app still has its uses. The media player can convert blob URL videos into downloadable MP4 files and save them to your PC.

1. Open the web page containing the video you want to download.

2. Before proceeding, make sure that a blob URL is involved. Right-click on the page and select “Inspect.”

Right-click on the page and select Inspect | How to Download Video with Blob URL

3. Click on the three dots on the top right corner of the inspect window and open it as a new tab. The developer tools for the web page will open.

Click on the three dots and open inspect page in new window

4. Press Ctrl + F and look for “blob”. A blob link exists if the search results reveal a link that begins with “blob: https”.

blob URL

5. On the DevTools page, click on Network.

Click on Network | How to Download Video with Blob URL

6. Press Ctrl + F and search for “m3u8”.

7. Click on the file and copy the Request URL from the header page.

Find a file with m3u8 extension copy the request URL

8. Download VLC Media Player from the official website. Run the setup and install the software on your PC.

9. Open VLC and click on the Media in the top left corner of the screen.

Click on Media in top left corner

10. From the list of options, click on “Open Network Stream.”

Click on open Network stream | How to Download Video with Blob URL

11. Paste the .m3u8 blob URL in the text box.

12. Click on the small arrow next to the play button and select Convert.

Click on the arrow next to play and select Convert

13. In the convert window, select the preferred output quality and click on the Browse button then choose a destination for the file.

Set destination and click on start

14. Click on Start to begin the conversion process.

15. After the process is complete, head to the destination folder and find the downloaded blob URL video.

Also Read: How To Download Embedded Videos From Websites

Method 2: Use Cisdem Video Converter on Mac

While the method mentioned above works like a charm, there are easier ways to download blob videos. Many video downloaders can convert URLs to mp4 files with ease. If you use a MacBook, then Cisdem Video converter is the ideal choice.

1. Open the browser applications and download the Cisdem Video Converter to your Mac.

2. Install the software and run it on your computer.

3. By default, the app will open on the Convert page. Click on the second panel from the Taskbar to shift to the Download tab.

4. Go to the web page containing the blob URL video you want to download and copy the original link.

5. Paste the link in the Cisdem app and click on the Download button on the bottom right corner of the screen.

Paste the link and click on the download button | How to Download Video with Blob URL

6. The video will download to your computer.

Method 3: Use Freemake Video Downloader on Windows

Freemake is a highly efficient video converter and downloader that can easily download blob URL videos. Most of the services on the app require the premium package. Nevertheless, you can download smaller videos through the free version.

1. Download the Freemake Video Downloader app and install it onto your PC.

2. Open the app and click on “Paste URL” in the top left corner.

Click on paste URL

3. Copy the link to the video you want to save, and paste it in Freemake.

4. A download window will open up. Change the download settings based on your preference.

5. Click on Download to save the file to your PC.

Select the quality and click on Download | How to Download Video with Blob URL

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How can I download the Facebook video blob?

To download blob videos from Facebook, first, open the DevTools for the webpage. Click on Network and find the file with a .m3u8 extension. Copy the Requested URL of the file. Open VLC Media Player and click on Media in the top left corner. Select Open Stream Network and paste the link in the text box. Click on convert and save the Facebook video to your PC as an MP4 file.

Q2. How do I get blob URL?

Webpages generate blob URLs to make media encoding easier. These automatically created URLs are stored in the page source of the webpage and can be accessed through the DevTools. In the Element panel of DevTools, search for “blob.” Look for a link that exhibits the following pattern: src = blob:https://www.youtube.com/d9e7c316-046f-4869-bcbd-affea4099280”. This is the blob URL of your video.

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We hope this guide was helpful and you were able to download videos with blob URLs. Let us know which method worked for you best. If you have any queries regarding this article, then drop them in the comments section.

2 thoughts on “How to Download Video with Blob URL”

  1. Not working on pages that detect opening of the dev tools and simply cutoff the stream. Which is becoming more and more common. Even detaching the dev tools window from the browser window doesn’t fool them. Your network will not show any code that you could search through for m3u8 or anything because by then the stream connection already got terminated.

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