No HD or FHD on channel 4?

[Tewstuff]

Hello! I found a thread from 2022 that already discussed this issue: Channel 4’s mpds only contain SD 576p. However, some programs are listed as HD on the description page. Where does this discrepancy come from? I tried using Edge, but the result was the same: when I inspect the requests, the program is indeed categorized as SD. Just to clarify, I’m not a Channel 4+ subscriber—I only watch the free service. Is there a solution in 2026?

[Attachment 92890 - Click to enlarge]

[YmFzZTY0]

Example URL thats only showing you as SD ?

You're probably confusing Ch4 with Ch5 where there is an url manipulation/edit to give you FHD from HD.

[Tewstuff]

Here's a URL: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/location-location-location/on-demand/75608-014, and here's a screenshot of what it shows me :
[Attachment 92894 - Click to enlarge] This is just a random example I picked, but it applies to all content labeled as HD on Channel 4. Is there an URL edit that would let me switch from SD to FHD? Or at least HD?

[YmFzZTY0]

Using unshackle:


[Attachment 92895 - Click to enlarge]

Time to do some reading:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/418705-Unshackle-Modular-Movie-TV-and-Music-Archival-Software

[Tewstuff]

OK, I didn't know about unshackle! I'll give it a try on my own! But if there's another solution using devtools and n_m3u8DL-RE, I'm all for it.

[YmFzZTY0]

AFAIK there's no url manipulation for ALL4 - using web devtools is limiting you

[Tewstuff]

Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for all these answers!

[YmFzZTY0]

One of the mpds that unshackle fetches (it fetches 3, from different CDNs) is:

http://ak.dash01.stream.c4assets.com/wvmod-stream/CH4_33_05_42_75608_014_1_178178508937069.mpd?c3.ri=14644197939441571390