Capturing WebTV

November 11, 2005 1:44 PM

I am failing to find a free program that lets me capture the video/audio from a web tv stream (WMP).

I've found several programs when googling this, but none that specifically does what I need which is to capture both the video and the audio in realtime then save it to a video file (avi, mov, whatnot). I'm thinking a screenshot-type-thing only for a streaming file... Does this program exist?

posted by fondle to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

Here is a list of Windows-based (assuming you're talking about Windows and not WMP under Mac OS X) software for "ripping" video and audio streams from one format and saving to another.
posted by Rothko at 1:50 PM on November 11, 2005

Response by poster: Yes i saw this but as far as I can see all of these requires one to enter the address of the stream. I need a program that "rips" the playing video file. And I am on WinXP, yes.
posted by fondle at 1:52 PM on November 11, 2005

Be wary—a lot of streaming media sites are not keen on the use of streamrippers. Your IP may be banned. I'm not telling you not to do it—just be aware of the possible consequences.
posted by jenovus at 2:18 PM on November 11, 2005

WM Recorder has the ability to detect when streaming video is being played in your web browser, snag the proper URL, then download the stream to your hard drive. It's k-rad.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 2:39 PM on November 11, 2005

The Chinese Souxin site is a virtually canonical collection of streaming media recorders, downloaders, and transcoders.

Be aware that many streamers go to some lengths to cloak the source of the packets, so sometimes you have to resort of packet sniffing to snag the exact URL. WinPCap is your friend.
posted by meehawl at 2:50 PM on November 11, 2005

Camtasia Studio will basically record any window on your desktop. ive used it to record streaming video before, so i know it works.


.//chris
posted by hummercash at 2:59 PM on November 11, 2005 [1 favorite]

Both the flagged apps seem to be pay software, not free. Or am I missing something?
posted by meehawl at 4:18 PM on November 11, 2005

Response by poster: You're right, I flagged too fast. I'll try the ones on the Souxin site, thanks.
posted by fondle at 5:03 PM on November 11, 2005