Network Sniffer Overlay

A Chrome extension to capture and display media and subtitle files, perfect for collecting WebVTT (.vtt) files for series episodes.

What Is Network Sniffer Overlay?

The Network Sniffer Overlay is a Chrome extension that captures and displays media and subtitle network requests (e.g., .vtt, .srt, .mp4) on web pages. It’s designed for users who want to collect WebVTT (.vtt) subtitle files for TV series episodes, making it easy to download or access subtitles for entire seasons.

It shows captured files in a toggleable panel with features like auto-scrolling to new .vtt files, a search function, and links to support the developer and learn more.

How It Works

Captures Requests: Monitors network requests for media and subtitle files (e.g., .vtt, .srt, .mp4) using Chrome’s webRequest API.
Organizes by Session: Groups requests by page URL (e.g., Episode 1 vs. Episode 2) to track files across multiple episodes.
Displays in a Panel: Shows files as clickable links in a panel. New .vtt files are highlighted and auto-scrolled to for easy access.
Keeps Requests: Retains all requests in memory, ideal for collecting .vtt files across a series. Reset the extension to clear requests for a new series or movie.
Support and Learn More: Includes buttons linking to support the developer (https://ko-fi.com/ksalinc) and this explanation page.

Important for Series: The extension keeps all requests to track .vtt files for every episode in a season. Reset it when switching to a new series or movie to avoid mixing requests.

How to Install

The extension must be installed manually in Developer Mode. Follow these steps:

Download the Extension Files: Place these files in a folder (e.g., network-sniffer-overlay):
- background.js
- content.js
- manifest.json
- style.css
- 1.png, 2.png, 3.png, 4.png (icons)
Enable Developer Mode:
- Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions/.
- Turn on Developer mode in the top-right corner.
Load the Extension:
- Click Load unpacked.
- Select the folder with the extension files.
- Click Open to install.
Verify Installation:
- Check the Chrome toolbar or extensions menu for the extension’s icon.
- Visit a website and look for the floating 📡 button on the right side.

How to Use

Open the Panel: Click the 📡 button on any web page to toggle the panel.
Capture Files: Navigate a website (e.g., a streaming platform). The extension captures media/subtitle files like .vtt or .srt automatically.
Find WebVTT Files: Use the search bar to filter for “vtt”. New .vtt files are highlighted and auto-scrolled to.
Download Files: Click file links in the panel to open them in a new tab for downloading or viewing.
Collect Across Episodes: The extension keeps all requests to track .vtt files for multiple episodes of a series.
Start Fresh for a New Series: To avoid mixing requests from different series or movies, reset the extension:
- Go to chrome://extensions/.
- Toggle Network Sniffer Overlay off and on, or remove and reload it.
Support the Developer: Click the ☕ button to support via https://ko-fi.com/ksalinc.

Important: Reset the extension (toggle off/on) before sniffing a new series or movie to clear previous requests and avoid confusion.

Tips and Troubleshooting

Focus on .vtt Files: Search for “vtt” to quickly find subtitle files for series.
Test on Streaming Sites: Use the extension on platforms hosting series to capture .vtt files.
Check Compatibility: If .vtt files aren’t captured, use Chrome’s Developer Tools (Network tab) to verify file types.
Contact Support: For issues, visit https://ko-fi.com/ksalinc to contact the developer.

Support the Developer

If you find this extension helpful, please consider supporting its development at https://ko-fi.com/ksalinc.