Hi,
Is there a way to set headers like refer for a stream? I’m working on a chennel and the final stream url needs to be requested with a refer header or it returns 403.
I’ve searched the forum and found the following 2 threads. But it seems this has not been solved yet.
Regards,
Tony
I tried the following 3 methods.
MediaObject( parts = [PartObject(key=Callback(PlayVideo1, url=finalurl, headers = headers), http_headers=headers)],@indirectdef PlayVideoWithHeader(url=None, headers=None): return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key= url, http_headers=headers)@indirectdef PlayVideo1(url, headers=None): oc = ObjectContainer(http_headers=headers) oc.add(VideoClipObject( items = [ MediaObject( parts = [PartObject(key=url)] ) ] )) return ocNone of the above works
Nov 05, 2017 18:45:02.905 [4516] ERROR - [Transcoder] https://yun.fantasy.tv/video/39/146/1508755305440111.mp4?_upt=1ce50eac1509875692: Server returned 403 Forbidden (access denied)
@flow, Thank you for sharing the url. But I think it’s a different case.
The source you mentioned uses header to get the final stream url.
In my case, final file url has already been got, but to access that file, it needs refer in header.
@TonyAtTokyo said:
@flow, Thank you for sharing the url. But I think it’s a different case.
The source you mentioned uses header to get the final stream url.
In my case, final file url has already been got, but to access that file, it needs refer in header.
Try
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key=video_url, http_headers=HTTP_HEADERS)
@coder-alpha said:
Try
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key=video_url, http_headers=HTTP_HEADERS)
Thanks for your suggestion, but I’ve already tried it in my second approach.
- put it in IndirectResponse
@indirect
def PlayVideoWithHeader(url=None, headers=None):
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key= url, http_headers=headers)
Anyway, I will try it again according to the sample you provided. Thank you.
@TonyAtTokyo said:
@coder-alpha said:
Try
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key=video_url, http_headers=HTTP_HEADERS)Thanks for your suggestion, but I’ve already tried it in my second approach.
- put it in IndirectResponse
@indirect
def PlayVideoWithHeader(url=None, headers=None):
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key= url, http_headers=headers)Anyway, I will try it again according to the sample you provided. Thank you.
Sorry missed that. I have had issues in some cases based on the string passed in the headers. They would not encode properly what Plex seems to accept. So you might want to try your referrer header making an HTTP.Request and make sure you’re getting a 200 response.
@TonyAtTokyo the approach with IndirectResponse should generally work.
If you try to use it and look at the generated XML, does it contain all headers, particularly cookies, that the website is setting when the video is watched in web browser?
And the second thing to check is whether the client (I guess transcoder in your case) is actually sending those headers to the website. Not sure how to do it with the transcoder, but maybe you could try playing it locally without transcoding and search the Plex client logs and if you see the difference (ie if it works in one case, but not the other), then perhaps you could isolate the problem.
@czukowski @coder-alpha
I tried again and found the following issues:
Well, I give up. I decide to use plex for local materials only and do such funny things with kodi addon which is much more flexiable.
Anyway, thanks for your support.
I don’t think encoded value itself should be a problem, if I recall correctly, the headers are sent to the clients as a part of the media URL and as such, they should be encoded. But I hear different Plex clients may or may not supports different aspects of Plex channels API. I think this is a likely cause. I don’t use Android player personally, but I’ve used a few channels that employed similar technique with media request headers and they worked in Plex Home Theater.
I revisited my issue and I actually can’t seem to get it to show the referrer. My url is a .m3u8 so I tried using
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key=HTTPLiveStreamURL(url), http_headers=http_headers, http_cookies=http_cookies)
that didn’t seem to work and then came across objectkit.py and added post_headers which also didn’t work.
--------------------------- objectkit.py ---------------------------
# Make sure we don't have an extension already.
if path.split('/')[-1].find('.') == -1:
path += '.m3u8'
post_url = url.post_url if hasattr(url, 'post_url') else None
post_headers = url.post_headers if hasattr(url, 'post_headers') else {}
url = type(url)(path if query == None else path + query)
url.post_url = post_url
url.post_headers = post_headers
hls_url = IndirectHLSURL(url) if isinstance(url, indirect_callback_string) else CallbackHLSURL(url)
I ended up using
return IndirectResponse(VideoClipObject, key=url, http_headers=http_headers, http_cookies=http_cookies)
which still does not work for the item.
The following is the VLC test file that does play the item fine. The url in the example is expired now so wont wont unless updated.
#EXTM3U
#EXTINF:0,Test
#EXTVLCOPT:http-referrer=http://mycloud.to
#EXTVLCOPT:http-user-agent=Mozilla
https://mdz3ek.mcloud.to/1/CSoCFipfHyyNlzUmug8xkw/0/b/v/a/3rywj2/list.m3u8?e=1510268400
And here is the xml from Plex
!
!
!
I’m using Plex-web for testing and do remember this used to work on it before on the previous Plex-web version (probably 2.xx). Any suggestions or working examples you could point me at. Thanks !
After spending some time on kodi, I found it’s very easy to implement on kodi. Just put “|Referer=http://xxxxxx” after the real url and it works.
Plex team should consider to add this feature.
Yeah the playback of online media in Plex is completely different than Kodi. Kodi has its own player software. But, because Plex works on such a wide variety of players/devices, it must depend on the native player software of each player/device. So there are many situations where it is much easier to make online media play on Kodi than it is on Plex.
But I do share the frustrations of other Plex plugin developers at the lack of response to plugin framework issues. That is why I created the pinned document with all the known issues, Known Plex player app and PMS issues supporting Plugin Framework. I cannot say it will bring about any changes, but I am still submitting issues and including a link to that pinned thread in any discussions I have with Plex app developers. (Maybe the constant reminder and a publicly available list of these issues may encourage change)
So, if you can specify and provide data about a specific issue, please respond to my call for input on known issues at Input for Plex player app/PMS issues with Plugin Framework.
@TonyAtTokyo said:
After spending some time on kodi, I found it’s very easy to implement on kodi. Just put “|Referer=http://xxxxxx” after the real url and it works.
Plex team should consider to add this feature.
Yes, Kodi does have quite a few positives but the one-server concept/many clients support of Plex trumps it for many user cases. And this is something easy to be implemented, so I’m hoping for good things to come.
@flow
I’d say lets give it another shot, collectively.
@shopgirl284
Thanks for that thread. What other information can I provide other that what I posted in my above post. I could (if I can find my old PMS installers) try it on an older version where I’m pretty sure this used to work.
I think it must be player-dependent. I’ve checked the sources of one of my older channels and found this:
From init.py-170:174
return IndirectResponse(
VideoClipObject,
key=media_url,
http_headers={k: v for k, v in headers.iteritems() if v is not None}
)
XML generated (notice httpCookies and httpHeaders attributes which I haven’t found in @coder-alpha reply):
<MediaContainer
title1="M*A*S*H online"
size="1"
identifier="com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline"
sourceTitle="M*A*S*H online"
mediaTagPrefix="/system/bundle/media/flags/"
httpCookies="__cfduid=d2388eb066e0f8e98231b4042846e76161490998205"
httpHeaders="Cookie=__cfduid%3Dd2388eb066e0f8e98231b4042846e76161490998205&Referer=http%3A//vidzi.tv/embed-tcdv9gtn9io3-630x475.html" prefsKey="/:/plugins/com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline/prefs">
<Video sourceIcon="http://resources-cdn.plexapp.com/image/source/com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline.jpg?h=None" key="https://srv31.vidzi.tv/m5uqje4k242z5d7ga4sdtvfv6hka4gpkcqr552t5t7qedz7nikbur4ymvuuq/v.mp4" type="clip">
<Media optimizedForStreaming="0" height="480" width="640" container="mp4" audioCodec="aac" aspectRatio="1.33" videoCodec="h264" videoResolution="sd">
<Part container="mp4" key="https://srv31.vidzi.tv/m5uqje4k242z5d7ga4sdtvfv6hka4gpkcqr552t5t7qedz7nikbur4ymvuuq/v.mp4" file="" optimizedForStreaming="0">
<Stream index="0" selected="1" streamType="1" height="480" width="640" codec="h264" id="1"/>
<Stream index="1" selected="1" streamType="2" codec="aac" id="2"/>
</Part>
</Media>
</Video>
</MediaContainer>
Then there are lines like this in Plex Home Theater.log:
16:38:30 T:19064 NOTICE: DVDPlayer: Opening: https://srv31.vidzi.tv/m5uqje4k242z5d7ga4sdtvfv6hka4gpkcqr552t5t7qedz7nikbur4ymvuuq/v.mp4|Referer=http%3A//vidzi.tv/embed-tcdv9gtn9io3-630x475.html
So it may actually work like @TonyAtTokyo has posted (|Referer=http://xxxxxx) behind the scenes. I also know the player must take cookies into account, even though they’re not mentioned in PHT logs, because the video wouldn’t load without the Cloudflare session ID (although it’s probably related to DDoS protection rather than keeping nosy users from streaming their hosted media directly).
Note: the same channel can also work in with m3u8 playlists, selectable in channel properties, but as of today’s testing, PHT couldn’t open them, even though generated XML and player logs were very similar to above.
I think it must be player-dependent. I’ve checked the sources of one of my older channels and found this:
From init.py-170:174
return IndirectResponse(
VideoClipObject,
key=media_url,
http_headers={k: v for k, v in headers.iteritems() if v is not None}
)
XML generated (notice httpCookies and httpHeaders attributes which I haven’t found in @coder-alpha reply):
<MediaContainer
title1="M*A*S*H online"
size="1"
identifier="com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline"
sourceTitle="M*A*S*H online"
mediaTagPrefix="/system/bundle/media/flags/"
httpCookies="__cfduid=d2388eb066e0f8e98231b4042846e76161490998205"
httpHeaders="Cookie=__cfduid%3Dd2388eb066e0f8e98231b4042846e76161490998205&Referer=http%3A//vidzi.tv/embed-tcdv9gtn9io3-630x475.html" prefsKey="/:/plugins/com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline/prefs">
<Video sourceIcon="http://resources-cdn.plexapp.com/image/source/com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline.jpg?h=None" key="https://srv31.vidzi.tv/m5uqje4k242z5d7ga4sdtvfv6hka4gpkcqr552t5t7qedz7nikbur4ymvuuq/v.mp4" type="clip">
<Media optimizedForStreaming="0" height="480" width="640" container="mp4" audioCodec="aac" aspectRatio="1.33" videoCodec="h264" videoResolution="sd">
<Part container="mp4" key="https://srv31.vidzi.tv/m5uqje4k242z5d7ga4sdtvfv6hka4gpkcqr552t5t7qedz7nikbur4ymvuuq/v.mp4" file="" optimizedForStreaming="0">
<Stream index="0" selected="1" streamType="1" height="480" width="640" codec="h264" id="1"/>
<Stream index="1" selected="1" streamType="2" codec="aac" id="2"/>
</Part>
</Media>
</Video>
</MediaContainer>
Then there are lines like this in Plex Home Theater.log:
16:38:30 T:19064 NOTICE: DVDPlayer: Opening: https://srv31.vidzi.tv/m5uqje4k242z5d7ga4sdtvfv6hka4gpkcqr552t5t7qedz7nikbur4ymvuuq/v.mp4|Referer=http%3A//vidzi.tv/embed-tcdv9gtn9io3-630x475.html
So it may actually work like @TonyAtTokyo has posted (|Referer=http://xxxxxx) behind the scenes. I also know the player must take cookies into account, even though they’re not mentioned in PHT logs, because the video wouldn’t load without the Cloudflare session ID (although it’s probably related to DDoS protection rather than keeping nosy users from streaming their hosted media directly).
Note: the same channel can also work in with m3u8 playlists, selectable in channel properties, but as of today’s testing, PHT couldn’t open them, even though generated XML and player logs were very similar to above.
@czukowski
Thanks for the info but which client/version are you using for the xml ?
I installed your channel and using Plex-web (Version 3.20.8) I get a very different xml (below). I see the HTTP.CookiesForURL error (you’ve already posted about) in my log (included further below), probably due to which the http headers are not showing up but also guessing since you don’t get those, probably you are using an older version where I do suspect it used to work.
<MediaContainer title1="M*A*S*H online" noCache="1" size="1" identifier="com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline" sourceTitle="M*A*S*H online" mediaTagPrefix="/system/bundle/media/flags/" prefsKey="/:/plugins/com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline/prefs">
<Video sourceIcon="http://resources-cdn.plexapp.com/image/source/com.plexapp.plugins.mashonline.jpg?h=None" key="/video/mashonline/:/function/CreateVideoObjectContainer?function_args=Y2VyZWFsMQoxCmRpY3QKNAppMApzMTIKc2Vhc29uX2luZGV4aTAKczEzCmVwaXNvZGVfaW5kZXhzMQowczE1CmFzeW5jQ2hlY2tGaWxlc3MxCjFzMTAKY2hlY2tGaWxlc3IwCg__" type="clip" title="Episode 1 - The Pilot" summary=" About this MASH episode: MASH - Pilot is the 1st episode of season one and of course of the series. Returning to the Swamp after a long session in the OR, Hawkeye receives a letter announcing that Ho-Jon has been accepted into his alma mater, though he and Trapper still have the task of coming up with the $2,000 for travel and tuition. Hawkeye convinces Trapper that they can accomplish it by raffling off a weekend pass to Tokyo with the company of a gorgeous nurse. They go to Col. Blake's office to propose the idea to him, and he nervously gives them permission. Later on, Hawkeye and Trapper get into an argument with Frank Burns, who, in a fit of rage, destroys their still. Furious with him, they put a bag over his head and throw him out of the tent. When Blake hears about it, he withdraws the passes and cancels the party they had planned to throw for fear that Burns will complain to General Hammond. He adds that he has to see Hammond in Seoul and was unhappy about the party taking place in his absence. However, as Blake is leaving, Radar reveals that he tricked him into signing two passes, so the party can take place. Unfortunately, Hawkeye's and Trapper's happiness is short lived as they discover that Frank Burns was made temporary commander. To get rid of him so they can have their party, Hawkeye injects him with a sedative and wraps a bandage around his face, prescribing that Frank should be sedated every hour on the hour. During the party, Margaret expresses her inability to find Frank. Suspicious of the activities of Hawkeye and Trapper, she calls General Hammond, who is so excited to hear from her he leaves at once. Meanwhile, Hawkeye announces that they have raised $1800 and then has the nurse draw a name for the raffle. Knowing that the nurse in question, Lt. Dish, is engaged, he announces that Father Mulcahy is the winner, but unfortunately, he does so just as General Hammond walks in. While the infuriated general questions Hawkeye and Trapper, Margaret walks in with Burns, still sedated and with bandages around his head, and screams at the two of them. Hammond demands that they be arrested, but just in the nick of time, choppers arrive loaded with casualties. After the session, which Hammond participates in, he tells Blake that Pierce and McIntyre are two of the best surgeons he has ever seen and, for that reason, he is dropping the charges." ratingKey="/2013/02/pilot.html" thumb="/video/mashonline/episodes/s1e1.jpg">
<Media container="mp4" optimizedForStreaming="0" height="480" width="640" audioCodec="aac" aspectRatio="1.33" videoCodec="h264" videoResolution="sd" indirect="1">
<Part container="mp4" key="/video/mashonline/:/function/GetActualVideoUrl?function_args=Y2VyZWFsMQoxCmRpY3QKMgppMApzMTIKc2Vhc29uX2luZGV4aTAKczEzCmVwaXNvZGVfaW5kZXhyMAo_&indirect=1&mediaInfo=%7B%22audio_channels%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22protocol%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22optimized_for_streaming%22%3A%20false%2C%20%22video_frame_rate%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22duration%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20480%2C%20%22width%22%3A%20640%2C%20%22container%22%3A%20%22mp4%22%2C%20%22audio_codec%22%3A%20%22aac%22%2C%20%22aspect_ratio%22%3A%20%221.33%22%2C%20%22video_codec%22%3A%20%22h264%22%2C%20%22video_resolution%22%3A%20%22sd%22%2C%20%22bitrate%22%3A%20null%7D" file="" optimizedForStreaming="0">
<Stream index="0" selected="1" streamType="1" height="480" width="640" codec="h264" id="1"/>
<Stream index="1" selected="1" streamType="2" codec="aac" id="2"/>
</Part>
</Media>
</Video>
</MediaContainer>
! 2017-11-14 17:17:01,286 (3a64) : DEBUG (runtime:125) - Calling function ‘GetActualVideoUrl’
! 2017-11-14 17:17:01,313 (3a64) : DEBUG (networking:161) - Fetching ‘M*A*S*H: Hey, Look Me Over’ from the HTTP cache
! 2017-11-14 17:17:01,381 (3a64) : DEBUG (networking:166) - Requesting ‘vidzi.tv - vidzi Resources and Information.’
! 2017-11-14 17:17:04,039 (3a64) : ERROR (logkit:22) - Error occurred on retrieving episode video URL.
! 2017-11-14 17:17:04,039 (3a64) : CRITICAL (core:574) - get_cookies_for_url() takes exactly 3 arguments (2 given) (most recent call last):
! File “C:\Users\CA\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Plug-ins\mashonline.bundle\Contents\Code\loader.py”, line 38, in episode_video_url
! ‘cookie’: HTTP.CookiesForURL(url),
! File “C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server\Resources\Plug-ins-46276db8d\Framework.bundle\Contents\Resources\Versions\2\Python\Framework\api
etworkkit.py”, line 207, in CookiesForURL
! return self._core.networking.get_cookies_for_url(url)
! TypeError: get_cookies_for_url() takes exactly 3 arguments (2 given)
!
! 2017-11-14 17:17:04,039 (3a64) : DEBUG (logkit:13) - Decoded player data:
! 2017-11-14 17:17:04,039 (3a64) : DEBUG (logkit:13) - {u’hls_maxbufferlength’: 300, u’hls_startfromlevel’: 1, u’width’: u’100%‘, u’image’: u’https://srv27.vidzi.tv/i/01/00131/bswmqy4tn9g3.jpg’, u’hls_maxbackbufferlength’: 900, u’height’: u’100%‘, u’sources’: [{u’file’: u’https://srv27.vidzi.tv/hls2/dnuqjj4f242qedz7nikb5gjximaey546g6j6rpoeg,jr6nuklc77oexpo4wrq,ct6nuklc77acr7pi2hq,336nuklc77jhsva3fla,.urlset/master.m3u8’}, {u’file’: u’https://srv27.vidzi.tv/dnuqjj4f242qedz7nikb5gjximaey546g6j6rpoeg336nuklc77jhsva3fla/v.mp4’}], u’tracks’: [{u’default’: True, u’kind’: u’subtitles’, u’file’: u’https://vidzi.tv/srt/00131/bswmqy4tn9g3_English.vtt’, u’label’: u’English’}, {u’kind’: u’subtitles’, u’file’: u’https://vidzi.tv/srt/00131/bswmqy4tn9g3_Spanish.vtt’, u’label’: u’Spanish’}, {u’kind’: u’thumbnails’, u’file’: u’https://vidzi.tv/bswmqy4tn9g3.vtt’}], u’base’: u’https://vidzi.tv/player7/‘, u’captions’: {u’color’: u’FFFFFF’, u’fontFamily’: u’Verdana’, u’fontsize’: 20, u’back’: False}}
! 2017-11-14 17:17:04,042 (3a64) : CRITICAL (core:574) - Exception when calling function ‘GetActualVideoUrl’ (most recent call last):
! File “C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server\Resources\Plug-ins-46276db8d\Framework.bundle\Contents\Resources\Versions\2\Python\Framework\code\sandbox.py”, line 294, in call_named_function
! result = f(*args, **kwargs)
! File “C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server\Resources\Plug-ins-46276db8d\Framework.bundle\Contents\Resources\Versions\2\Python\Framework\components\runtime.py”, line 85, in call
! return self.f(*args, **kwargs)
! File "C:\Users\CA\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Plug-ins\mashonline.bundle\Contents\Code_init.py", line 159, in GetActualVideoUrl
! video_urls = loader.episode_video_url(iframe_url, source_type)
! File “C:\Users\CA\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Plug-ins\mashonline.bundle\Contents\Code\loader.py”, line 48, in episode_video_url
! raise Ex.MediaNotAvailable
! MediaNotAvailable: (2001, ‘This media is not currently available.’)
And in order to get the Channel working to see if any headers changed I edited the line 38 to 'cookie': 'testcookie',#HTTP.CookiesForURL(url), but no change in xml but the video does play fine. Probably it doesn’t need that info anymore ?
EDIT: PMS Version 1.9.5.4339 Win7-64 for sake of completeness
@coder-alpha, I have updated the first post of the Input for Plex player app/PMS issues with Plugin Framework thread to include the specific information to include about an issue.
@coder-alpha that error with HTTP.CookiesForURL is really weird, I’ve posted it the previous time I went to check out the XML generated from that channel and it just didn’t work, but yesterday I tried again with the intent to overwrite it with some dummy value, but this time it worked as normal. I guess it must depend on some internal Plex Server state.
It may be that the site doesn’t require it now, I just remember it wouldn’t work at some point in the past, but they may have done some updates to the site and I remember having to update the channel not so long ago to fix media URL extraction from their JavaScript player.
But most importantly, I think the XML you’ve posted is from the video detail (from seeing the episode summary present). Its Part object refers to GetActualVideoUrl function rather than the actual media URL because it takes more HTTP requests to find out that URL. The XML I’ve posted above was from this URL (Part.key from your your XML): /video/mashonline/:/function/GetActualVideoUrl?function_args=Y2VyZWFsMQoxCmRpY3QKMgppMApzMTIKc2Vhc29uX2luZGV4aTAKczEzCmVwaXNvZGVfaW5kZXhyMAo_&indirect=1&mediaInfo=%7B%22audio_channels%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22protocol%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22optimized_for_streaming%22%3A%20false%2C%20%22video_frame_rate%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22duration%22%3A%20null%2C%20%22height%22%3A%20480%2C%20%22width%22%3A%20640%2C%20%22container%22%3A%20%22mp4%22%2C%20%22audio_codec%22%3A%20%22aac%22%2C%20%22aspect_ratio%22%3A%20%221.33%22%2C%20%22video_codec%22%3A%20%22h264%22%2C%20%22video_resolution%22%3A%20%22sd%22%2C%20%22bitrate%22%3A%20null%7D
p.s.: I’ve just installed a PMS update yesterday (after seeing the cookies jar working again) and now it says it’s v 1.9.6.4429 (Windows).
@czukowski Thanks, I knew the video was getting processed downstream but it still didn’t strike me. Dumb lol.
So, I do see my headers with referer as expected and sadly can confirm what @TonyAtTokyo mentions regarding url encoding http%3A//mcloud.to of the referer as my possible issue as well. I tried using this encoded url in vlc and it fails there as well. In my case I see only thefull- colon getting encoded which doesnt make much sense.
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<MediaContainer size="1" identifier="com.plexapp.system" mediaTagPrefix="/system/bundle/media/flags/" userAgent="Mozilla" httpHeaders="Referer=http%3A//mcloud.to&User-Agent=Mozilla" postHeaders="Referer=http%3A//mcloud.to&User-Agent=Mozilla">
<Video sourceIcon="http://resources-cdn.plexapp.com/image/source/com.plexapp.plugins.fmoviesplus.jpg?h=None" key="http://7dkwdw.mcloud.to/1/HgelMFMLfge07GpXYPBdEw/0/c/j/w/kw972v/list.m3u8?e=1510743600" type="clip">
<Media>
<Part key="http://7dkwdw.mcloud.to/1/HgelMFMLfge07GpXYPBdEw/0/c/j/w/kw972v/list.m3u8?e=1510743600" file="">
<Stream index="0" selected="1" streamType="1" id="1"/>
<Stream index="1" selected="1" streamType="2" id="2"/>
</Part>
</Media>
</Video>
</MediaContainer>
@shopgirl284 I’ll format my post and post it later tomorrow for the issues in Plugin framework thread. Thanks for the template.
I’m still not convinced encoded headers are the real issue. Encoding is just a way of transmitting data. The program that reads it (Plex client in our case) may either send it to the target server as is or decode it. The XML generated from my channel also has Referer header urlencoded. Also note that the string also has XML entities encoded (&). Maybe trying to see what does the client really send to the server, perhaps using Wireshark, could shed some more light.
Out of curiosity, I’ve tried requesting URLs from both our channels with and without encoding of Referer header and I’ve got the same results in both cases. So whether it works or not, it appears that HTTP server doesn’t complain about the encoding either way.
Trying mcloud URL from your post with urlencoded Referer:
$ curl -I -H 'Referer: http%3A//mcloud.to' -H 'User-Agent: Mozilla' \
'http://7dkwdw.mcloud.to/1/HgelMFMLfge07GpXYPBdEw/0/c/j/w/kw972v/list.m3u8?e=1510776988'
Now not encoded:
$ curl -I -H 'Referer: http://mcloud.to' -H 'User-Agent: Mozilla' \
'http://7dkwdw.mcloud.to/1/HgelMFMLfge07GpXYPBdEw/0/c/j/w/kw972v/list.m3u8?e=1510776988'
Both returned the same result (showing only headers):
HTTP/1.1 403 Forbidden
Server: nginx
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2017 20:20:03 GMT
Content-Type: text/html
Connection: keep-alive
Now trying vidzi URL from my channel with urlencoded Referer:
$ curl -I -H 'Referer: https://vidzi.tv/embed-giftddfw80wp-630x475.html' \
'https://srv37.vidzi.tv/nvuqjh4k242qedz7nikb5hbnkkgdaolx6hbwosv42bg6xhsnwri7d3pvwj5q/v.mp4'
And not encoded:
$ curl -I -H 'Referer: https%3A//vidzi.tv/embed-giftddfw80wp-630x475.html' \
'https://srv37.vidzi.tv/nvuqjh4k242qedz7nikb5hbnkkgdaolx6hbwosv42bg6xhsnwri7d3pvwj5q/v.mp4'
And even without headers:
$ curl -I 'https://srv37.vidzi.tv/nvuqjh4k242qedz7nikb5hbnkkgdaolx6hbwosv42bg6xhsnwri7d3pvwj5q/v.mp4'
The response headers were:
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
Server: nginx/1.12.0
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2017 04:31:20 GMT
Content-Type: application/octet-stream
Content-Length: 227099562
Last-Modified: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 06:47:12 GMT
Connection: keep-alive
ETag: "54ec1e70-d8943aa"
Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000
Accept-Ranges: bytes
