Chrome Capture for Channels

[JefferMC]

Sure:

Bun v1.2.21 (Linux x64)
Cleaning up...
Google Chrome 140.0.7339.127 
The VNC desktop is:      b9d1fab45a45:0
The VNC port is:         5900
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.913] Selected settings:
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.918] Video Bitrate: 9500000 bps (9.5Mbps)
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.918] Audio Bitrate: 256000 bps (256kbps)
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.918] Minimum Frame Rate: 30 fps
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.918] Port: 5589
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.918] Resolution: 1920x1080
[2025/09/10 13:24:25.937] Chrome Capture server listening on port 5589
[2025/09/10 13:24:44.095] Launching Browser, Opts {
  executablePath: '/usr/bin/google-chrome',
  pipe: true,
  headless: false,
  defaultViewport: null,
  userDataDir: '/home/chrome/chromedata',

[
    '--no-first-run',
    '--hide-crash-restore-bubble',
    '--allow-running-insecure-content',
    '--autoplay-policy=no-user-gesture-required',
    '--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled',
    '--hide-scrollbars',
    '--window-size=1920,1080',
    '--disable-notifications',
    '--disable-background-networking',
    '--disable-background-timer-throttling',
    '--disable-background-media-suspend',
    '--disable-backgrounding-occluded-windows',
    '--auto-accept-this-tab-capture',
    '--allowlisted-extension-id=jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli',
    '--use-gl=angle',
    '--use-angle=gl-egl',
    '--enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder,VaapiVideoEncoder',
    '--ignore-gpu-blocklist',
    '--enable-zero-copy',
    '--enable-drdc',
    '--no-sandbox'
  ],
  ignoreDefaultArgs: [
    '--enable-automation',
    '--disable-extensions',
    '--disable-default-apps',
    '--disable-component-update',
    '--disable-component-extensions-with-background-pages',
    '--enable-blink-features=IdleDetection',
    '--mute-audio'
  ],
  enableExtensions: [ '/home/chrome/node_modules/puppeteer-stream/extension' ]
}
179 |                     ensureNewDocumentNavigation = !!response.loaderId;
180 |                     if (response.errorText === 'net::ERR_HTTP_RESPONSE_CODE_FAILURE') {
181 |                         return null;
182 |                     }
183 |                     return response.errorText
184 |                         ? new Error(`${response.errorText} at ${url}`)
                                ^
error: net::ERR_BLOCKED_BY_CLIENT at chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/options.html#55200
      at navigate (/home/chrome/node_modules/puppeteer-core/lib/cjs/puppeteer/cdp/Frame.js:184:27)
[2025/09/10 13:24:44.846] New target page created: about:blank
Bun v1.2.21 (Linux x64)

I note that is still has the "--allowlisted-extension-id" which I thought was a problem.

[bnhf]

Interestingly, I was testing with WeatherStar 4000+, and that was working fine. Now testing with a Sling channel, I'm seeing one failure followed by an immediate success:

Google Chrome 140.0.7339.127
The VNC desktop is: d21dc53fb3f5:0
The VNC port is: 5900
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.567] Selected settings:
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.569] Video Bitrate: 9500000 bps (9.5Mbps)
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.569] Audio Bitrate: 256000 bps (256kbps)
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.569] Minimum Frame Rate: 60 fps
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.569] Port: 5589
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.569] Resolution: 1920x1080
[2025/09/10 12:31:43.574] Chrome Capture server listening on port 5589
[2025/09/10 12:32:13.128] Launching Browser, Opts {
executablePath: '/usr/bin/google-chrome',
pipe: true,
headless: false,
defaultViewport: null,
userDataDir: '/home/chrome/chromedata',

[
'--no-first-run',
'--hide-crash-restore-bubble',
'--allow-running-insecure-content',
'--autoplay-policy=no-user-gesture-required',
'--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled',
'--hide-scrollbars',
'--window-size=1920,1080',
'--disable-notifications',
'--disable-background-networking',
'--disable-background-timer-throttling',
'--disable-background-media-suspend',
'--disable-backgrounding-occluded-windows',
'--auto-accept-this-tab-capture',
'--allowlisted-extension-id=jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli',
'--use-gl=angle',
'--use-angle=gl-egl',
'--enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder,VaapiVideoEncoder',
'--ignore-gpu-blocklist',
'--enable-zero-copy',
'--enable-drdc',
'--no-sandbox'
],
ignoreDefaultArgs: [
'--enable-automation',
'--disable-extensions',
'--disable-default-apps',
'--disable-component-update',
'--disable-component-extensions-with-background-pages',
'--enable-blink-features=IdleDetection',
'--mute-audio'
],
enableExtensions: [ '/home/chrome/node_modules/puppeteer-stream/extension' ]
}
179 | ensureNewDocumentNavigation = !!response.loaderId;
180 | if (response.errorText === 'net::ERR_HTTP_RESPONSE_CODE_FAILURE') {
181 | return null;
182 | }
183 | return response.errorText
184 | ? new Error(`${response.errorText} at ${url}`)
^
error: net::ERR_BLOCKED_BY_CLIENT at chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/options.html#55200
at navigate (/home/chrome/node_modules/puppeteer-core/lib/cjs/puppeteer/cdp/Frame.js:184:27)
[2025/09/10 12:32:13.335] New target page created: about:blank
Bun v1.2.21 (Linux x64)
Cleaning up...
Google Chrome 140.0.7339.127
The VNC desktop is: d21dc53fb3f5:0
The VNC port is: 5900
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.836] Selected settings:
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.838] Video Bitrate: 9500000 bps (9.5Mbps)
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.838] Audio Bitrate: 256000 bps (256kbps)
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.838] Minimum Frame Rate: 60 fps
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.838] Port: 5589
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.838] Resolution: 1920x1080
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.844] Chrome Capture server listening on port 5589
[2025/09/10 12:32:15.959] Launching Browser, Opts {
executablePath: '/usr/bin/google-chrome',
pipe: true,
headless: false,
defaultViewport: null,
userDataDir: '/home/chrome/chromedata',

[
'--no-first-run',
'--hide-crash-restore-bubble',
'--allow-running-insecure-content',
'--autoplay-policy=no-user-gesture-required',
'--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled',
'--hide-scrollbars',
'--window-size=1920,1080',
'--disable-notifications',
'--disable-background-networking',
'--disable-background-timer-throttling',
'--disable-background-media-suspend',
'--disable-backgrounding-occluded-windows',
'--auto-accept-this-tab-capture',
'--allowlisted-extension-id=jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli',
'--use-gl=angle',
'--use-angle=gl-egl',
'--enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder,VaapiVideoEncoder',
'--ignore-gpu-blocklist',
'--enable-zero-copy',
'--enable-drdc',
'--no-sandbox'
],
ignoreDefaultArgs: [
'--enable-automation',
'--disable-extensions',
'--disable-default-apps',
'--disable-component-update',
'--disable-component-extensions-with-background-pages',
'--enable-blink-features=IdleDetection',
'--mute-audio'
],
enableExtensions: [ '/home/chrome/node_modules/puppeteer-stream/extension' ]
}
[2025/09/10 12:32:16.130] New target page created: about:blank
[2025/09/10 12:32:16.139] Target page changed: chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/options.html#55200
[2025/09/10 12:32:16.155] New target page created: chrome-extension://fignfifoniblkonapihmkfakmlgkbkcf/service_worker.js
[2025/09/10 12:32:16.164] New target page created: chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/background.js
[2025/09/10 12:32:17.147] Need to initialize stream capabilities
[2025/09/10 12:32:17.330] streaming https://watch.sling.com/1/channel/1a3c345b84b149918e0bad8f797df70a/watch
[2025/09/10 12:32:17.416] Target page changed: https://watch.sling.com/1/channel/1a3c345b84b149918e0bad8f797df70a/watch
[2025/09/10 12:32:17.428] URL contains watch.sling.com
[2025/09/10 12:32:17.933] New target page created: https://watch.sling.com/7.1.8/service-worker.js
[2025/09/10 12:32:19.812] New target page created: blob:https://watch.sling.com/dab983f0-ccfc-42b3-8d71-04b17efd7663
[2025/09/10 12:32:19.852] Browser page closed: blob:https://watch.sling.com/dab983f0-ccfc-42b3-8d71-04b17efd7663
[2025/09/10 12:32:22.650] Set Sling to Full Screen and Volume to max
[2025/09/10 12:32:46.165] Browser page closed: chrome-extension://fignfifoniblkonapihmkfakmlgkbkcf/service_worker.js
[2025/09/10 12:32:46.166] Browser page closed: chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/background.js
[2025/09/10 12:32:49.342] Browser page closed: https://watch.sling.com/7.1.8/service-worker.js

EDIT: BTW, you can also try bnhf/cc4c:test if you like, which is still using Chrome 136.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

I note that is still has the "--allowlisted-extension-id" which I thought was a problem.

Also interesting, my Proxmox LXC container version of cc4c -- built with the same code, doesn't fail once before succeeding like the Docker version:

Google Chrome 140.0.7339.80 
Starting xvfb, x11vnc, and npm...
The VNC desktop is:      cc4c2:0
The VNC port is:         
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.274] Selected settings:
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.277] Video Bitrate: 9500000 bps (9.5Mbps)
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.277] Audio Bitrate: 256000 bps (256kbps)
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.277] Minimum Frame Rate: 30 fps
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.277] Port: 5589
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.277] Resolution: 1920x1080
[2025/09/10 19:31:54.284] Chrome Capture server listening on port 5589
[2025/09/10 19:33:17.069] Launching Browser, Opts {
  executablePath: '/usr/bin/google-chrome',
  pipe: true,
  headless: false,
  defaultViewport: null,
  userDataDir: '/opt/chrome-capture-for-channels/chromedata',
  args: [
    '--no-first-run',
    '--hide-crash-restore-bubble',
    '--allow-running-insecure-content',
    '--autoplay-policy=no-user-gesture-required',
    '--disable-blink-features=AutomationControlled',
    '--hide-scrollbars',
    '--window-size=1920,1080',
    '--disable-notifications',
    '--disable-background-networking',
    '--disable-background-timer-throttling',
    '--disable-background-media-suspend',
    '--disable-backgrounding-occluded-windows',
    '--auto-accept-this-tab-capture',
    '--allowlisted-extension-id=jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli',
    '--use-gl=angle',
    '--use-angle=gl-egl',
    '--enable-features=VaapiVideoDecoder,VaapiVideoEncoder',
    '--ignore-gpu-blocklist',
    '--enable-zero-copy',
    '--enable-drdc',
    '--no-sandbox'
  ],
  ignoreDefaultArgs: [
    '--enable-automation',
    '--disable-extensions',
    '--disable-default-apps',
    '--disable-component-update',
    '--disable-component-extensions-with-background-pages',
    '--enable-blink-features=IdleDetection',
    '--mute-audio'
  ],
  enableExtensions: [
    '/opt/chrome-capture-for-channels/node_modules/puppeteer-stream/extension'
  ]
}
[2025/09/10 19:33:17.240] New target page created: about:blank
[2025/09/10 19:33:17.245] New target page created: chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/background.js
[2025/09/10 19:33:17.249] Target page changed: chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/options.html#55200
[2025/09/10 19:33:18.255] Need to initialize stream capabilities
[2025/09/10 19:33:18.404] streaming https://watch.sling.com/1/channel/1a3c345b84b149918e0bad8f797df70a/watch
[2025/09/10 19:33:18.595] Target page changed: https://watch.sling.com/1/channel/1a3c345b84b149918e0bad8f797df70a/watch
[2025/09/10 19:33:18.607] URL contains watch.sling.com
[2025/09/10 19:33:20.929] New target page created: blob:https://watch.sling.com/c08e5098-ea74-4046-b2ee-04b002692383
[2025/09/10 19:33:20.958] Browser page closed: blob:https://watch.sling.com/c08e5098-ea74-4046-b2ee-04b002692383
[2025/09/10 19:33:23.723] Set Sling to Full Screen and Volume to max
[2025/09/10 19:33:47.248] Browser page closed: chrome-extension://jjndjgheafjngoipoacpjgeicjeomjli/background.js

[JefferMC]

! have been testing with Weatherscan. And, if I use the :"test" tag instead of ":latest", it works.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

! have been testing with Weatherscan. Perhaps I've messed up something in the Custom Channel setup?

Looks fine to me. Out of curosity, what processor (+ specs) is your Docker host running?

[JefferMC]

I just update my previous post. It is working using the ":test" tag version of the image.

The host is not huge:

I used the output from Channels for convenience. It's correct about the CPU type at least.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

The host is not huge

I'd still like to get to the bottom of what's going on here, but realistically you're not going to be able to do much with cc4c on that platform.

I run cc4c in a couple of Proxmox LXC containers, one running Docker (htpc6) and the other a direct install of cc4c (cc4c2) in a Debian LXC:

The hypervisor (Proxmox) is running bare metal on:

I have heard of a person or two having success with 8th or 9th gen CPUs, by reducing resolution and framerate -- but I don't know of anyone running it on a 4th gen setup.

[JefferMC]

Right now, I'm not looking for much. This weather channel display and maybe a home info page is all I'm looking to support at this moment. I'm sure I'll want more later.

[doug8796]

6th gen i7 here and I can run it fine. I5 won't work unless they have at least as powerful as the 6700

[bnhf]

@doug8796

6th gen i7 here and I can run it fine.

In Docker?

[doug8796]

Haven't fooled with docker yet. Still working on peacock/HBOmax/prime sports integration with my main.js

I havent figured out docker yet and where main.js is involved

[bnhf]

@doug8796

Haven't fooled with docker yet.

What I was talking about was cc4c performance when used in a Docker container, which is a different equation then when installing directly.

[JefferMC]

Looks like you're barely taxing those CPUs given the stats shown.

[bnhf]

@JefferMC

Looks like you're barely taxing those CPUs given the stats shown.

I wasn't streaming anything at the time. If I was watching/recording multiple channels through cc4c it'd be a little different. I'm not saying you need my setup to be successful with containerized cc4c, but a 10-12 year old i5 platform is a big stretch -- especially running in Docker.

Here's what the dedicated cc4c LXC looks like with one channel streaming:

[JefferMC]

Well, I need a new desktop (mine won't run Win 11) and a new NAS (obsolete OS, age, size. When I got it, 6TB drives were huge). I'll probably have to limp by with this folding docker server for a bit longer.

UPDATE:
I started TOP up on the host and watched Chrome grab 100% of two cores and some of another to run Weatherscan. I couldn't run two copies. Hm... I need to go make that setting now.

Hm, my desktop is an i5-750 (first gen) and has 4 actual cores (instead of 2 cores, 2 threads) and might be better than this 4th gen. Maybe I put it in as my Media Server/Docker Host for a little while.

[doug8796]

that cpu will not be able to handle much of anything besides maybe weather. nbc definitely not.

[adamef93]

How do I get this working with my GPU? Running in docker with the same hardware acceleration config I use for all my containers (map /dev/dri and add to the right group) and it's not even touching my card while the CPU is fully revved up. Hoping this can help keep a stable frame rate at 1080p/60. Using this to watch TNF on Prime's Twitch channel for reference

[bnhf]

@adamef93

How do I get this working with my GPU? Running in docker with the same hardware acceleration config I use for all my containers (map /dev/dri and add to the right group) and it's not even touching my card while the CPU is fully revved up

If you add Weatherscan as a channel, I think you'll find the GPU is available and can be used. Unfortunately, the Linux version of Chrome seems to be somewhat limited in its implementation -- as far as utilizing hardware acceleration.

You can also setup chrome://gpu as a channel to verify which Chrome graphics features have hardware acceleration available. It's a noticeably reduced list compared to what you'll see with Chrome installed in Windows or MacOS.

I have a couple of containerized versions of cc4c, one in Docker and the other in a Proxmox LXC. Both work well for me with the streaming sites I use, which include Sling and YTTV. One of the systems is a 10th gen i7 running Proxmox, and the other is a 14th gen i9, also running Proxmox.

I've played around with trying to get the GPU working with more that Weatherscan, with little success. As best I can tell, we're limited by Linux Chrome. Feel free to have at it though, as maybe someone looking at it fresh will have some new ideas.

Just to give you an idea what I'm talking about, here's chrome://gpu from cc4c running in an LXC (white background), and from my Windows system (black background):

Here's intel_gpu_top running on the hypervisor, when streaming Weatherscan in the cc4c LXC -- so it's clearly working when it can:

intel-gpu-top: Intel Raptorlake_s (Gen12) @ /dev/dri/card1 -  111/ 694 MHz;   0% RC6;  0.27/110.62 W;      288 irqs/s

         ENGINES     BUSY                                                                                                                 MI_SEMA MI_WAIT
       Render/3D   12.78% |██████████████                                                                                               |      0%      0%
         Blitter    0.00% |                                                                                                             |      0%      0%
           Video    0.00% |                                                                                                             |      0%      0%
    VideoEnhance    0.00% |                                                                                                             |      0%      0%

   PID              NAME            Render/3D                        Blitter                          Video                        VideoEnhance           
3135774            chrome |████▏                         ||                              ||                              ||                              |
945892             chrome |                               ||                              ||                              ||                              |

[doug8796]

Do you have a guide for best chrome settings?

[TaliandTony]

Well thanks, sorry if it was too long, you forgot to put there the part about me offering rewards for the help, but like I said: thank you!