Grabbing the stream instead of the screen

A Cam4 broadcast only exists while the performer is online, and replays posted to profiles can be taken down just as fast. Screen-recording software is the usual fallback, but it is heavy to run, needs its own setup and lowers the picture quality. Cam4 Video Downloader reads the HLS stream that the player itself uses and writes it out as an MP4, so there is no extra program to configure, no second window to manage and no loss from re-filming the display.

All of the work happens on your computer. Recordings are not uploaded anywhere, and the extension stays inactive outside Cam4.

Live broadcasts and recorded videos

• Live: while a model is broadcasting, open their page and press Start. Recording continues in real time until you press Stop.
• Recorded: on a supported video page from a model profile, the extension finds the VOD sources, offers the available qualities and saves the result as MP4, just as it does with a live capture.
• Delivery quirks: Cam4 serves encrypted HLS through Mouflon manifests and can move playback between several CDN hosts. Both are handled without any input from you.
• VR: if a stream carries VR information, the camera settings metadata can be preserved and the expected suffix is added to the filename. How the VR footage looks depends on the stream.
• Format: HLS is converted to MP4 inside the browser; when a page offers a direct MP4 source, that file is saved unchanged.

Choosing a quality

The options come from the variants listed in the stream's HLS master manifest, each with its resolution, bandwidth and frame rate. You will usually see several resolutions topping out at 1080p, occasionally with separate frame-rate versions. Nothing higher than what the source exposes can be offered.

Controls you will use

• A download button placed on supported Cam4 players
• The toolbar popup
• A right-click menu entry that works on the page or directly on the video
• A download manager showing elapsed time and segment progress, with a cancel button
• Automatic saving into a CAM4 folder under your Downloads directory

After installing, you sign in once with a code sent to your email address.

Why each permission is requested

• downloads: writes the finished MP4 to your device and keeps the on-page download manager in step with both live and recorded jobs.
• storage: holds activation status and your workflow preferences in the browser from one session to the next.
• activeTab: detects a supported Cam4 page and adds player controls only in the tab you are looking at.
• tabs: keeps a running capture's status correct if you move to a different tab before it finishes.
• scripting: pulls player data, stream metadata and the list of HLS variants from the page, then passes your chosen source to the recorder.
• notifications: in builds that use them, shows errors, activation feedback or progress messages outside the popup; nothing leaves your machine.

Compatibility and boundaries

Desktop browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, Opera, Whale and Yandex, on Windows, macOS and Linux. There is no support for Safari or for any mobile browser. Region: Worldwide.

• Content covered: Cam4 live streams, recorded Cam4 videos, HLS stream variants and VR-enabled streams.
• A live capture needs the performer to be on air and the show to be open to your account.
• Recorded videos locked behind account, purchase or fan-club requirements may be unavailable, and private shows cannot be recorded.
• It is not meant for bulk capture.
• Your internet connection has to stay up for the whole live capture and while a download is processed.
• Only save material you are already allowed to view; Cam4's restrictions are not bypassed.

FAQ

How do I record a Cam4 performer who is on air right now?

Go to their page while they are broadcasting, use either the player's button or the extension icon, choose a quality and press Start. The HLS stream is recorded as it plays and turned into an MP4 on your computer.

Does it also work on replays posted to a profile?

Yes. Supported video pages show their recorded sources and quality choices, and the replay is saved as MP4 in the same way as a live recording.

How sharp can a Cam4 capture get?

Whatever variants the HLS master manifest lists. That is typically a handful of resolutions up to 1080p, sometimes with different frame rates as separate choices.

Is a Cam4 capture saved in a format my media player understands?

A standard MP4 for both live and recorded content. HLS streams are converted in the browser, and a direct MP4 source is kept exactly as the site serves it.

Where on my drive do Cam4 captures get written?

A CAM4 subfolder created inside your browser's default Downloads location, so every capture sits together.

What happens with Cam4 broadcasts that are in VR?

When a stream carries VR information, the camera metadata that comes with it can be kept and the file gets the matching VR suffix. Picture quality is limited by what the stream delivers.

Nothing is detected on the page. What is wrong?

Live capture only works when the model is broadcasting and your account can see the show. An offline or private room, or a player that is still loading, will not be picked up. Reload and try again.

Are private shows recordable?

No. Private shows, purchased or fan-club content and other Cam4 access controls stay in place; the extension only saves what you can already watch.

Which desktop setups can record from Cam4?

Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, Opera, Whale and Yandex on Windows, macOS and Linux desktops. There is no Safari version and no mobile version.

Do my Cam4 captures pass through a remote server?

No. Handling the stream, recording it and building the MP4 all happen in your browser, and the files stay on your device. Sign-in uses a one-time code sent to your email.

Is this legal?

DISCLAIMER: We are not attorneys and do not offer legal advice. Laws vary by country and platform. For any legal question please consult a qualified legal professional.

We give you full control over download speeds because we believe users should decide how they use their software.

That said, here are a few widely accepted best practices for safe, responsible downloading:

• Only download content you created, own, or have explicit permission from the rights holder to access.

• Protect your personal data by respecting platform rules and rate limits with reasonable download speeds to avoid automated abuse systems putting your account at risk.

• Protect your privacy by using a reputable VPN for IP protection before initiating downloads — this is the VPN we recommend & use.