M3U8 Playlist Parser

m3u8-parser is a JavaScript library designed for parsing M3U8 HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) manifests. It provides a robust, standalone mechanism to interpret the structure and metadata of HLS playlists, converting them into a structured JavaScript object. Currently at version 7.2.0, the package maintains an active development pace, regularly incorporating support for new HLS tags and specifications, as evidenced by recent feature additions in minor releases (e.g., #EXT-X-I-FRAME-STREAM-INF, #EXT-X-I-FRAMES-ONLY, #EXT-X-DEFINE). Originating from the Video.js ecosystem, it has since become an independent utility, removing its direct dependency on Video.js in version 1.0.1. Its key differentiators include comprehensive HLS tag support, extensibility through custom parsers, and the ability to handle constructor options for advanced features like variable replacement with #EXT-X-DEFINE, making it suitable for both simple manifest interpretation and complex HLS stream management.