[maxprs]

Hi,
I recently upgraded from Kodi 20.4 to Kodi 21.1, on both PCs and Android devices.
For some reasons I can't have my M3U8 files to work anymore.
I use to create my own files and load them on the device, they contain streaming urls for audio, video, subs.
Here's an example:
Stream.m3u8

When I browse the video folder for this file with Kodi 20.4 when I click on it the streaming starts normally.
But if I do the same using Kodi 21.1, streaming doesn't start. Instead it opens three more choices all named "197386" with none working.

The problem occurs even if I go the "open with" route choosing VLC as player, but different. With Kodi 20.4 everything is fine, while with Kodi 21.1 you have the streaming starting three times (one after the other when you close it) but only video working, no audio.

I believe the new version handles the M3U8 information in a different way, so I wonder if there is a way to make it behave like the previous version.
Anyone?

Thanks

[PatK]

I get errors; I can open up the link with a web browser & download the content (subsequently plays) but it looks like Google drive doesn't allow direct streaming. If previous versions function, then revert, but I suspect Google drive has altered access. Portable mode (wiki) installation for experimentation would be the way to go here.

Your input can't be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL 'Stream.m3u8'. Check the log for details.

[maxprs]

Google drive is just to share the file, not for direct stream in this case. You have to download the file on your device.
I just tested the download with a browser where I'm not logged in with google, and I can download it normally.
After that, without using Kodi, you should be able to run that file with VLC. I'm now on Windows 11 and I do a right click and then "open with" and select VLC.
Or you can open VLC first, then drag & drop the m3u8 file over it, and it starts.

If you can't see this, you can't test the behavior that I described with Kodi.

Unless the file is corrupted after the download... can you see its content? It's just a text file starting with:
#EXTM3U
#EXT-X-MEDIA:TYPE=AUDIO,GROUP-ID......................

As for the revert to previous Kodi version option, I'm using some new features so I would prefer to understand what's wrong for these files and make the new version work flawlessly.

[PatK]

From what I saw, some woman was giving testimony.. in Italian. The way Google Drive is set-up, not sure you could stream directly without a lot of file batch /scripting manipulation.

[maxprs]

Forget Google drive, if you have the file downloaded you are ready to go.
Yes, it's in Italian.
So, the original question was: what changed with the new Kodi version for this kind of files?
20.x could manage them, just browsing the folder added as video source and a simple click on the m3u8 file, streaming starts with the built in Kodi video player.
21.x can't launch them. I only wondered if there is any setting that can make it behaving like the previous version.

[maxprs]

Here's a wetransfer link if there is problem downloading with google drive:
Stream.m3u8

[PatK]

20.x could manage them, just browsing the folder added as video source and a simple click on the m3u8 file, streaming starts with the built in Kodi video player.

But is that still the case to-day, check with a portable installation of 20x to see.
I note this pull https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/pull/25947 and this https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/issues/25340

[maxprs]

No need for a portable 20x, I have a device with it still installed.

So here's that file with Kodi 20:
Kodi20
The file is recognized, you can also see the image preview, I simply play it. I can also switch between the available languages while watching.

Same file with Kodi 21:
Kodi21
No image preview, the default operation is "browse into", but I choose "play" and I get an error. The "browse into" leads to nothing though.

So what's wrong with Kodi 21 about that file format?

[PatK]

Looks like you'll need to get the developers attention with a post in the Bug Tracker with an explanation and a link to this thread. Use https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid...pid3218165

[maxprs]

I will.
Thank you very much for your support!