What Is M3U8 File? How to Open and Convert It?

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M3U8 is a file format commonly used for playlists in HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). HLS is a streaming protocol developed by Apple that allows streaming of multimedia content over HTTP. M3U8 files contain references to media files such as audio or video segments and additional metadata.

Here's a breakdown of the M3U8 file structure and how it works:

• File Format: M3U8 files are plain text files with the extension ".m3u8". You can open and view them with a text editor like Notepad.
• Playlist Structure: An M3U8 file consists of multiple lines. Each line represents a media segment or additional information related to the stream.
• Media Segments: The primary purpose of an M3U8 file is to provide a list of media segments that make up the stream. Each segment is typically a small part of the entire video or audio file. These segments are stored separately and are referenced by the M3U8 file.
• URI References: M3U8 files use Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) to reference the media segments. These URIs can be absolute or relative, pointing to the location of the media files. The URIs can be HTTP URLs or file paths, depending on how the content is hosted.
• Playlist Tags: M3U8 files may also contain metadata and additional information in the form of tags. These tags are preceded by a hash (#) symbol. Some common tags include:
1. #EXTM3U: Indicates the start of the playlist file.
2. #EXT-X-VERSION: Specifies the version of the HLS protocol used.
3. #EXT-X-MEDIA-SEQUENCE: Indicates the sequence number of the first segment in the playlist.
4. #EXT-X-TARGETDURATION: Specifies the maximum duration of any segment.
5. #EXTINF: Specifies the duration of the next segment.
6. #EXT-X-ENDLIST: Indicates the end of the playlist file.
• Master Playlists: Besides media segment playlists, M3U8 files can serve as master playlists. A master playlist references multiple variants of playlists with different bitrates or resolutions. This allows adaptive streaming, where the player selects the appropriate variant based on the user's network conditions.
• Encryption and DRM: M3U8 files can also include information about encryption and Digital Rights Management (DRM) for secure streaming. Tags like #EXT-X-KEY provide encryption details and keys to decrypt the media segments.

How to play?

To play an HLS stream with an M3U8 file, you typically need a compatible media player or a streaming client that supports HLS. Major media players like iTunes, VLC Media Player, and Windows Media Player are compatible with M3U8 files. The player reads the M3U8 file, retrieves the media segments specified within it, and plays them in the correct order to provide a seamless streaming experience.

While M3U8 is commonly associated with HLS and Apple devices, it has gained popularity and is widely supported across different platforms and devices.