An M3U8 file is a plain text file that contains a playlist or list of multimedia files in Extended M3U format. The “8” in M3U8 stands for version 8 of the M3U format. M3U8 files are commonly used for streaming video content over the internet, especially for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). HLS is a streaming protocol developed by Apple for delivering video and audio content to various devices.
How to open an M3U8 file:
1. Media Players:
- Many media players, including VLC Media Player, Windows Media Player, and others, support M3U8 playlists for streaming video content.
2. Web Browsers:
- Some web browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, can open M3U8 files for streaming directly within the browser.
3. Text Editors:
- M3U8 files are plain text files, and you can open and view them using any text editor like Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS.
4. Dedicated Streaming Apps:
- Some dedicated streaming applications or video players designed for online streaming may also open M3U8 files.
Programs that may open M3U8 files:
1. VLC Media Player:
- VLC is a versatile media player that supports M3U8 playlists and can be used for streaming content.
2. Web Browsers:
- Modern web browsers with support for HTML5 and streaming protocols may open M3U8 files for direct playback.
3. Media Players with Streaming Capabilities:
- Various media players that support streaming protocols, such as Kodi or Plex, may open M3U8 files.