Notes - IPTV (Updated - August 8, 2018):
<< BACK | STUFF | IPTV | DONATE
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How To Stream Media from NetRoar IPTV pages:
NetRoar streaming media playlist links are designed to work with VLC Media
Player and/or VLC 'Web-plugin',
(or any program that supports for examples:
.m3u .m3u8 playlasts; .mp3 .mpeg .mp4 etc. standard video and audio formats)
- VLC is available for most platforms; PC, Mac, and Android
- for IPhone, iPad, etc. VLC is also available but still under development last
I checked.
There are also many other Aps that play .m3u8 files;
- for IPhone & IPad try:
GoTV (works well, used to be free - but now he's charging $2.99 last I
checked).
I recommend installing the
VLC Media Player and
downloading,
(or "opening file with VLC"), the .m3u8 playlist files
- for examples:
https://www.netroar.com/IPTV-LIST-9.m3u8
-or-
https://netroar.com/IP_RADIO_LIST_6.m3u8
- Note - these files get updated with new content;
- So check back for newer versions too periodically.
You can use VLC to open and play streams from the above playlist files. I suggest downloading and installing both the 32bit and 64bit versions of VLC. The 64bit version has better performance as a desktop program; if you have lots of RAM memory to spare; e.g. if your system only has 4-6GB of RAM - then don't run anything else and it will perform really well; keep in mind 64bit programs do use more RAM by design. The 32bit version installs compatible Web Player Plugins into your web browsers; that is - if for example you are still using a 32bit version web browser. You may have already noticed, the newer albeit faster 64bit versions of web browsers are still far less compatible with many web pages often times, (its taking developers awhile to catch up and rewrite their code); and there are few plugins available for the newer 64bit versions. If you want to try and install both versions of VLC, first install the 32bit version and rename the desktop shortcut to include (32bit) - so it does not get over written when you install the 64 bit version. After VLC install, and at "first-run-setup" - For performance sake and fewer program crashes - I suggest unchecking - "use internet meta data" lookups, and uncheck - "check for updates automatically". And then in future - "check for updates" yourself, manually; periodically - from the VLC Help menu, or by visiting their webpage to be sure no newer versions are available; they do not update VLC for Desktop very frequently. Use the 64 bit version of VLC from your desktop shortcut link - with the .m3u8 playlist files downloaded from here - for best performance and fewer crashes. You can "Drag-and-Drop" the playlist file into VLC to start it. And use VLCs menu selection "View" - "Playlist" to change the available media streams within the playlist file. There are also some other tips further below you might also enjoy trying.
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VLC 'Web-plugin' - optional install from VLC Media Player
(works with Internet Explorer, and Older vs. Firefox ESR 52 - for Mac and PC):
Then you can also enjoy the benefits of the IPTV web pages here with the VLC 'Web-plugin'. Benefits including being able to play four simultaneous streams at once from one web page - that can be moved around your desktop(s) together; drop-down list for quick switching of NetRoar IPTV playlist streams; the ability to type in other streams you may have found to test into the web player plugin; extra media player controls exposed and available; check for new links I find and post, and more.
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How to Install older vs. browser Firefox ESR 52 (for "Advanced Users"); and regain all your old plugins too:
[Help] The VLC Media Player Plugins here work with Internet Explorer or Firefox ESR vs.52
Note, in newer versions of Firefox, Mozilla has discontinued all "Plugin"
support except Flash.
- to enable plugins to continue to work for compatibility using Firefox
see my Tips & Refs below:
REF(s):
"Why do Java, Silverlight, Adobe Acrobat and other plugins no longer work?"
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/npapi-plugins
"Plug-in support has been dropped other than Flash"
https://www.fxsitecompat.com/en-CA/docs/2016/plug-in-support-has-been-dropped-other-than-flash/
The last known, highest version of Firefox that supports VLC Web Player plugin is Firefox ESR 32bit vs.52.9.0 - and support for it will end after August; in September 2018.
File Directory Link:
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/52.9.0esr/win32/en-US/
-Or-
Direct Download Link - Firefox ESR vs.52 (English-US Version)
https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/firefox/releases/52.9.0esr/win32/en-US/Firefox Setup
52.9.0esr.exe
Note: before Installing - See Tip(s) below for "Maintaining 2+ versions of
Firefox"
Firefox - (more ESR versions):
Fully localized versions (Other Languages; & Operating Systems; e.g. Mac & Linux):
Select "Show - Firefox 52"
Download and Install the ["32Bit"] version; 'not' the 64Bit version
(Note: before Installing - See Tip(s) below for "Maintaining 2+ versions of
Firefox")
Download links -
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/
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Tip(s):
"Maintaining 2+ versions of Firefox" (for "Advanced users")
REF Link(s):
Install an older version of Firefox
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/install-older-version-of-firefox
Switch to Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) for personal use
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-to-firefox-extended-support-release-esr
Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profiles-where-firefox-stores-user-data
Use the Profile Manager to create and remove Firefox profiles
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/profile-manager-create-and-remove-firefox-profiles
Using a dedicated profile for Firefox Nightly
hthttps://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/using-dedicated-profile-firefox-nightly
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Excerpts From Ref Links Above & My Additional Notes:
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Profiles - Where Firefox stores your bookmarks, passwords and other user data
Firefox stores your profile folder in this location on your computer, by
default:
C:\Users\<your Windows login username>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\
Its a good idea to make a backup of any existing Firefox profiles somewhere.
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Make sure to create a dedicated profile before you install and launch Firefox
ESR:
The following steps are for Firefox Beta but you can use the same procedure to
create dedicated profiles for other versions of Firefox.
Windows
Press Windows Key +R on the keyboard. A Run dialog will open.
Enter firefox -ProfileManager and click OK. The Profile Manager (Choose User
Profile) window will open.
Select Create profile…, name it Beta and click Finish.
Remove the checkmark from the box, Use the selected profile without asking at
startup. This causes the Profile Manager to appear at startup unless you use a
custom shortcut to start Firefox with a specific profile.
Click Exit to close the Profile Manager.
You can now update the shortcut you use to start Firefox Beta, so that it
automatically opens with your new Beta profile:
Right-click the Beta icon on your desktop and select Properties.
In the Shortcut tab, update the Target: field by adding a space, then -P Beta
after the path to the Firefox Beta executable. For example:
"C:\Program Files\Firefox Beta\firefox.exe" -P Beta
Do the same for the shortcut that starts your normal version of Firefox. In most
cases, you can use an existing Firefox profile instead of creating a new one.
The following example is for a profile named default:
Right-click the Mozilla Firefox icon on your desktop and select Properties.
In the Shortcut tab, update the Target: field by adding a space, then -P default
after the path to the Mozilla Firefox executable, which in most cases, would be
as follows:
"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P default
Default browser considerations
When Firefox is your default browser, HTML files, Internet shortcuts and links
opened in other applications will start Firefox with the Profile Manager when
the Use the selected profile without asking at startup box is not checked. If
you have customized all of your Firefox shortcuts to launch with a dedicated
profile, the next time your default Firefox browser is launched and the Profile
Manager opens, you can select the profile you would normally use (such as
default) and then checkmark the Use the selected profile without asking at
startup box before you start Firefox. Warning: If you select a profile to use
without asking, be very careful to only start Beta or other Firefox versions
with shortcuts customized to start with a dedicated profile.
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Use the Profile Manager to rename, create or remove Firefox profiles
Start the Profile Manager when Firefox is closed
If Firefox is open, close Firefox:
Press Windows Key +R on the keyboard. A Run dialog will open.
In the Run dialog box, type in:
firefox.exe -P
Note: You can use -P, -p or -ProfileManager (any of them should work).
Click OK. The Firefox Profile Manager (Choose User Profile) window should open.
Note: Another way to start the Profile Manager is from the Search box in the
Windows Start menu. Close Firefox (if open), press Windows Key , type
firefox.exe -P and press enter.
If the Profile Manager window does not appear, you may need to include the full
path to the Firefox program, enclose that line in quotes, then add a space
followed by -P. Examples:
Firefox (32-bit) on 64-bit Windows
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P
Firefox (32-bit) on 32-bit Windows (or 64-bit Firefox on 64-bit Windows)
"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P
If the Profile Manager window still does not open, Firefox may have been running
in the background, even though it was not visible. Close all instances of
Firefox or restart the computer and then try again.
Note: If you want the Profile Manager to appear the next time you start Firefox,
remove the checkmark from the box, "Use the selected profile without asking at
startup". Otherwise, the selected profile will be used automatically.
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Its a good idea to create a restore point too before you begin installing Firefox ESR -
Create a Restore Point:
Windows "Start" button > Right-Click on "Computer" > Select "Properties" >
Select "System Protection" (left side column) > Select "Create" Option button to
begin > Name your restore point e.g.
"Pre Firefox ESR 52 Install", Select Create Button, and Follow the prompts, etc.
It should say successfully created when done.
or you can also access restore points from:
from Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System > System Protection Tab >
Create
(Note: You may need to first change the Control Panel "View by" drop-down icon
(upper right) to display "Small Icons" or "Large Icons" to see All Control Panel
Items > "System" option
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Notes on - Folder Installation Options, Profile considerations and Shortcuts -
You can have 2 versions of Firefox 32bit installed; and maintain old plugins
and profile settings; and allow the newer more secure version of Firefox to be
the default browser when it asks during install. Changing the installation
folder, works to maintain more than one version, but you will also have to deal
with Firefox Profiles and Firefox Shortcut issues too 'before' installing.
Note: You can 'not' run both versions at the same time -
For example - (at the time of this writing) - you can not run at the same time:
[Firefox ESR vs.52 32bit] and the Newer version [Firefox vs.61 32bit ].
When you install Firefox ESR 32bit, you will need to make sure you select the Custom Setup option and
change the default installation destination folder;
so that Firefox ESR 32bit does not overwrite any existing newer standard version of Firefox
32bit; or so that you can also install a newer, more secure version, in
another folder or default location - Customize to suit your needs.
For example,
from the default:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
Change the installation path to something different (for example):
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Firefox_ESR\"
Or, for example, if you do already have Firefox ESR 52 32bit, installed in the default installation location, you will also need to have a newer more secure version as your default browser installed in a different path to maintain them both.
For example,
from the default:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\"
Change the installation path to something different (for example:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla_New_Firefox\"
In any case, to maintain more than one version you will also need to deal with Firefox profile issues 'before' installing any other versions - using the Firefox Profile Manager:
To access Firefox Profile Manager you can create a new shortcut by "Right-Click"
on your desktop select "New", "Shortcut" and then copy and paste in "Location"
the appropriate code depending on where you've installed the first version of
Firefox e.g.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P
Then name it Firefox Profile Manager.
You have to close all instances of Firefox before you can load Firefox Profile
Manager. If firefox keeps popping up and not the profile manager - there's
still an instance running; or you've used the wrong install path in your
shortcut. Usually Firefox is just still running. Use Windows Task
Manager to End any instance of "Firefox.exe"; or reboot; or you can create a
.bat file to kill the task too:
- Open Notepad and copy paste the code below:
taskkill /F /IM firefox.exe
- then Save As and name it Exit_Firefox.bat
Once you can access Firefox Profile Manager -
For example, if you do already have Firefox ESR 52 32bit installed, and want to
next install a newer version, be sure and 'rename' the old "default" profile; using Firefox
Profile Manager:
- first 'rename' the old "default" profile to e.g.
FF_ESR_52
- then 'create' a new "default" profile;
- and then also select this new default profile, to load when Firefox starts -
so as not to over-write your old profile and loose your plugins and settings - or cause any installation error from
not re-selecting "Start Firefox with the selected 'default' profile",
upon the second version installation.
Also before running an install, create a new folder first thru Windows Explorer; (as in examples above "Mozilla_New_Firefox" or "Firefox_ESR" - customize to suit your needs).
You will need to Right-Click the Install file and "Run as Administrator" to gain Access to the newly created custom install location.
Be sure and rename any "Mozilla Firefox" Shortcuts on your Desktop, Windows
Start Menu, or Pinned Task Bar Shortcut appropriately (e.g. rename to "Firefox
ESR 52 32bit") - and change the shortcut properties to use the dedicated
profile; e.g. Right-Click the shortcut, then select properties, then add -P
FF_ESR_52 to the "Target:" field - after the quotes like this:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P FF_ESR_52
You will also want to change the icon on the shortcuts too. The Firefox Icon usually goes away on the old version when you install the new version, even after changing the shortcut name to keep it from getting over-written. Right-click, select "properties", select "change icon", and then select one of the other icons available to show.
After installing the Firefox ESR 52 version - be sure and change
Firefox ESR 52 default auto update settings to "Never check for updates" to
maintain that version separately:
From the Menu Bar - "Tools" "Options" "Advanced" (left side column selection)
"Update" (tab).
Note:
In Firefox - If the Menu Bar is not showing, Right-Click at top of Browser and
select the option check mark by "Menu Bar " then you should see it
showing:
"File" "Edit" "View" "History" "Tools" "Help".
You can also type into the URL field (where you would normally type a web page
link):
about:preferences#advanced
Then select the "Update Tab"
Then change the setting under Firefox updates to "Never check for updates"
Note: It is a security risk to use an old version of Firefox, specifically as your default browser for everything on the web - I strongly recommend not using an old version as your default browser; and only use it for personal use; e.g. sites you trust. Use at your own risk.
You can double check your "default browser" settings here:
from the Menu Bar - "Tools" "Options" "General" (left side column selection).
Or you can also type into the URL field (where you would normally type a web
page link):
about:preferences#general
Uncheck "Always check if Firefox is your default browser"
And if it says below that "Firefox is your default browser"
Change this setting by opening another, newer version web browser and setting it
to be your default; for example use a Newer version of Firefox, Internet
Explorer, or Google Chrome as your default browser.
Furthermore, regarding better security & privacy, I also recommend using additional web browser
"extensions" and Apps;
e.g. to name a few:
IBMs
Trusteer Rapport End-Point Protection;
Ghostery;
Adblock Plus or similar;
PeerBlock with
good blocklists
- (check out
Peerblock and Blocklists notes for more info:
https://netroar.com/BlockListsNotes.txt
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Install VLC Media Player and Web Plugin
(for both "Novice users" in general and/or "Advanced users"):
Install VLC Media Player and the optional Mozilla Plugin (for Firefox);
you can also install the optional Active-X plugin for IE too;
Internet Explorer just does not work as well
- e.g. IE doesn't play as many types of streams, but works with many streams too.
These Options are usually part of the default VLC installation; but to be sure,
you can also start the Install by selecting "Customized Install":
VLC Media Player and Web Player Plugin - for "Advanced users"
- looking to maintain last known Firefox ESR vs.52 compatible
VLC Web Player
Plugin - vlc-3.0.3-win32.exe
Note:
Once installed, be sure and Uncheck Firefox ESR's Default Update Add-ons
Automatically setting,
(from Firefox Menu-Bar > Tools > Add-ons > Extensions > Select the Gear-Icon),
- Select "Update Add-ons Automatically" (to toggle the check mark off);
File Directory Link:
http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/3.0.3/win32/
-Or-
Direct Download Link VLC vs.3.0.3-win32.exe
https://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/3.0.3/win32/vlc-3.0.3-win32.exe
All versions of VLC - Archives - Index of /pub/videolan/vlc/
http://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/
Or download from their Official Home Page Links (easier for most "Novice
users"):
https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
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Tip:
NetRoar-IPTV link/shortcut for bookmark below;
auto loads IPTV into the main iframe:
https://www.netroar.com/?ifr=TV
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Tip:
"Shortcut to open a website using a specific browser"
If your not using Firefox ESR 52 as your default browser but want a specific link to open with firefox ESR 52 upon simply double clicking from your desktop - create a .bat file. And I suggest to also create a shortcut to the .bat file - so you can also have options on the shortcut to change the icon. I would make a folder for this first; e.g. in C:\Temp\Scripts
Open Notepad and copy-paste the code below; and/or customize as needed:
start "" "\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"
https://www.netroar.com/?ifr=TV -P default
exit
-OR- if you used a modified install location, customize this script as needed; e.g.:
start "" "\Program Files (x86)\Firefox_ESR\firefox.exe"
https://www.netroar.com/?ifr=TV -P default
exit
-OR- if you have more than one installation of Firefox and have created a new
separate profile name or changed the old one -
be sure and change this script to reflect that as well by changing the profile
switch name from for example
"-P default" to "-P FF_ESR_52"
Example code:
start "" "\Program Files (x86)\Firefox_ESR\firefox.exe"
https://www.netroar.com/?ifr=TV -P FF_ESR_52
exit
Then Save As a .bat file, (Batch file script); "filename.bat"
file; e.g. -
FirefoxESRNetRoarIPTVLink.bat
I would save the .bat file to the folder mentioned above, (e.g.
"C:\Temp\Scripts"),
then create a shortcut to this script - and copy the shortcut to my desktop; not
the .bat file itself.
Then you would also be able to change the shortcut properties; e.g. like set a preferred icon.
Note:
The location of Firefox ESR might be different for you - customize as needed;
as described
above in installing Firefox beta (or ESR version) in another folder to maintain
different versions;
and Creating different Firefox Profiles; e.g.:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Firefox_ESR\firefox.exe" -P FF_ESR_52
Adding to your .bat file script "-P" (starts Firefox profile manager - where you can
manage Firefox profiles),
but you can otherwise include a profile name; e.g.
"-P default" (starts Firefox with your default Profile);
or like above example "-P FF_ESR_52" to load a new profile created just for
Firefox ESR vs.52.
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Tip(s) (for both Novice and Advanced users):
Install - AVD - "Ant Video Downloader" - Extension -
Install AVD for your browser (for "Novice users"):
Use the latest version from
https://www.ant.com/
Once you have Ant Video Downloader, check-out these link notes:
https://netroar.com/movies_source_links.html
AVD vs.2.4.7.50 for Firefox ESR 52 (for Advanced users) -
If you're looking to install and maintain the last known compatible version of
AVD extension for Firefox ESR vs.52) -
Note:
Once installed, be sure and Uncheck Firefox ESR's Default Update Add-ons
Automatically setting,
(from Firefox Menu-Bar > Tools > Add-ons > Extensions > Select the Gear-Icon),
- Select "Update Add-ons Automatically" (to toggle the check mark off);
And, also change the Default auto-update setting for the individual AVD
Extension -
(from Firefox Menu-Bar > Tools > Add-ons > Extensions > Ant Video Downloader >
More)
Automatic Updates - Select "Off"
Direct Download Link for Ant vs.2.4.7.50 (released April 6, 2017) for Firefox
26.0 - 56
To Download this file, "Right-Click" and "Save Link As" - (e.g. to Desktop or
Downloads);
Then Install from Firefox Menu-Bar - "Tools";
Note:
In Firefox - If the Menu Bar is not showing, Right-Click at top of Browser and
select the option check mark by "Menu Bar " then you should see it
showing:
"File" "Edit" "View" "History" "Tools" "Help".
Select "Tools" then "Add-ons" then "Plugins";
Select the [Gear-Icon] (near the top, next to Search);
Select (drop-down option) "Install Add-on from file...";
Then navigate and select the file from where you saved it to;
e.g. your Desktop or Downloads folder and follow the prompts to install;
However, you will see - Firefox by default will not let you install an unsigned
Plugin;
Change this setting in the Configuration Editor page, (see below), first
- then you can install it. However, for security - change this setting back when
your done installing this plugin:
Note:
To install older vs. of Ant Video Downloader
(ant_video_downloader-2.4.7.50-fx.xpi)
in older Firefox (FF ESR 52.9.0 32bit)
Open the Firefox Configuration Editor page:
- Type this below into the URL field (where you would normally type in a webpage
link) -
about:config
Do a search for xpi and look for:
xpinstall.signatures.required true
Double click on "true" so it reads "false" -
xpinstall.signatures.required to false
REF (from):
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/add-on-signing-in-firefox?as=u&utm_source=inproduct#w_what-are-my-options-if-i-want-to-use-an-unsigned-add-on-advanced-users
What are my options if I want to use an unsigned add-on? (advanced users)
Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR),
Firefox Developer Edition and Nightly versions of
Firefox will allow you to override the setting
to enforce the extension signing requirement,
by changing the preference
xpinstall.signatures.required to false
in the Firefox Configuration Editor
(about:config page).
There are also special unbranded versions of Firefox that allow this override.
See the MozillaWiki article, Add-ons/Extension Signing for more information.
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Known Issues:
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"Sometimes VLC Media Player Plug-in crashes, Firefox stops responding" -
When playing IPTV player streams, sometimes VLC Media Player Plug-in crashes, Firefox stops responding; and any other open web pages too. Then one has to close all Firefox open pages, and start over web browsing; e.g. reload IPTV Player, reselect the stream, and start over if doing other web browsing in other pages. This problem is usually due to network traffic issues, (heavy loads on the streaming servers; the servers will try to load-balance auto-switch stream to another server), and stream buffering issues with an older 32bit version of Firefox and VLC Plug-in. 64bit versions of both programs, (64 bit VLC and Firefox, have been under development for a long time now), have been released, and should help these type performance issues. However, some folks may not be ready to update their browsers to the 64bit versions; e.g. still needing other plugins only available in 32bit versions.
- For Windows Operating Systems - A handy work around for when VLC plug-in and Firefox stops responding -
Create a batch file to stop the VLC plugin only; and thus not have to exit all Firefox browsing sessions; and only have to reload IPTV Player, (which uses the VLC Plugin), and then just re-select your stream of choice -
Open notepad and copy paste the code below:
taskkill /F /IM plugin-container.exe
Save the file as a .bat file,
( .bat is a batch file extension to run the command above),
and then name the file something like:
Exit_plugincontainer.bat
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"Full screen and volume controls are not available sometimes with DoughyGuy Broadcast System selected" -
When selecting "DoughyGuy Broadcast System" Entertainment
immediately after
loading the IPTV player, full screen and volume controls are not available.
This is because its an .nsv playlist stream file, whereas most all of the other
streams are .m3u8 playlists. And the VLC plugin controls do seem to work
best with .m3u8 files. - Work around - Select any other stream first and
then select DoughyGuy's stream - and then the controls stay loaded
correctly.
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When Testing Firefox ESR 52 with VLC Web Player Plugin (Playing a Stream) remotely using TeamViewer, after playing a media stream and upon exiting of Firefox ESR a feedback loop is generated (a loud humming sound on the remote client computer). Solution: Disable remote sound playback from TeamViewer - Uncheck "Computer Sound" from TeamViewer (top menu-bar) remote controls "Communicate" options.
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