LoadScout

LoadScout is a free and advanced application whose primary purpose is to obtain technical information on media content obtained from HTTP or FTP sources without having to download them first. It also integrates a downloader, though, along with a file extractor from remote archives.

After a fast setup operation that shouldn't give you any trouble, you are welcomed by a user-friendly interface made from a large window split into several panes, where you can input an URL for media analysis by specifying the link, protocol type (FTP or HTTP), along with the username and password whenever applicable.

Alternatively, you can log in anonymously. LoadScout automatically identifies the host address, port number and remote directory or file, but you can edit these properties if necessary.

The utility scans the target for media sources, records log details and reveals the name, size, file type, and date of last modification for each detected item. Extended information can be investigated to find out the height, width, maximum colors supported, horizontal and vertical resolution, and version of files.

It's possible to download any selected media objects to the computer, toggle local and remote view after establishing a connection to another machine via FTP, as well as to extract files from a remote archive or part of a remote media file.

LoadScout lets you create and manage a list of favorites, use the archive name in the extract path, permanently remove items from the PC instead of sending them to the Recycle Bin, save connection history between sessions, enable Internet Explorer integration, minimize the program to the systray for quick access, disable confirmation dialogs, as well as configure network settings for the HTTP and SOCKS.

The application didn't put a strain on the workstation's performance in our tests. However, it failed on several occasions to identify media files, probably because it hasn't been updated for a long time and likely has compatibility issues with the later Windows editions and network protocols. Nevertheless, you can test LoadScout for yourself, since it's free.