After years of sitting on this knowledge, I've decided to share it...

Firstly, download this zip-file and extract the contents onto your desktop.

http://rapidshare.de/file...r.zip.html

It's a very small Real Audio to WAV convertor. It's only 46kb and it works!!!



Firstly, configure the program. Click on "Option" then "Configuration..."



You want to leave the "Record" option untouched naturally. Why you wouldn't want to record is beyond me. Also, leave the "Don't resample" option untouched.

The default path for saved files is the location of the utility, so if you saved the program to your desktop, it'll save the WAV file to your desktop too. There's a browse button to choose your desired path, but it's never worked on any operating system I've used it on. If you'd like to specify an alternate path for the saved WAV, just type it in! It's very low-tech...

Now you have to find the trigger file for your targeted Real Audio stream. This can be a bit tricky...



Here we have the BBC Radio Player, showing this week's "Listen Again" options on Radio 2. Scrolling past Dale Winton and Elaine Paige, there appears to be a documentary on Marvin Gaye, narrated by Smokey Robinson. Jackpot!

Simply right-clicking the title of the show; and copying the shortcut into Notepad, will give you this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/networks/radio2/aod.shtml?radio2/r2_marvingaye - which isn't the location of the file, but offers a clue. In most cases, they'll put the filename in the URL. So I'm possibly looking for a file called r2_marvingaye... Click on the title of the show, so it actually plays in the BBC Radio Player.

Once the show is playing, right-click on the light-grey section of the player and choose "View Source"...



The HTML for the page will appear within Notepad.



Note that the filename r2_marvingaye appears in the header of the HTML - but with no file extension. Press CTRL and F and search for the file again and... bingo!



So we have a partial URL of /radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio2/r2_marvingaye.rpm - what could the rest of it be? Yes - unbelievably, the missing bit is simply http://www.bbc.co.uk

Type in the URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi...ingaye.rpm into the Real Audio to WAV convertor, press enter and away it goes!



The best thing about this program is unlike "Soundcard Capture" utilities, if the connection stutters or fluctuates whilst buffering, the recorder will pause. The results are completely seamless.

The application will also convert any .ra files you have saved on your hard drive. You just choose the "File" and "Open" options and choose the file you wish to convert.

Next time, I'll show you how to record ASX streams from XFM radio with a similar miniscule application for WMA.

I should add that whilst the convertor is running, don't leave the BBC Radio Player running - or any other audio program playing, for that matter.

Gracias Justin

I thought that more people would be amazed!

Usually with Real Player files, there's two files, a ".ram" file and a ".rm" file. The ".ram" file is just a redirector file that points you to the ".rm" file, which is the one you want to download, and can play.

If you download the ".ram" file, you can open it up with notepad, and that will reveal the path to the ".rm" file. Then it's just a matter of plugging that URL into your download manager, and downloading the file.

Also, if you use Firefox, looking at the Tools > Page Info > "Media" tab can reveal the URL to the media you are trying to save.

Tom said:

That is all true. My instructions above though, relate specifically to the BBC Radio Player.

The convertor I posted above also captures live streams too though. You just press record and stop as desired.

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[Edited 2/11/06 4:30am]

Nice!! Thanks man

or you could just go here and purchase this software and record anything that streams through your computer. http://totalrecorder.com/

it's been well worth the $11 i spent!

Now if someone could tell me how to capture videos on my computer, i'll be doing alright. i'm sure there's some software out there that would let me do this, i just haven't done any digging.

sinisterpentatonic said:

I know how to capture Real Movies too...

It's name is... Tinra.

Thanks!

sinisterpentatonic said:

Yes but Soundcard Capture programs are useless if the stream stutters and jumps. The iddy-biddy application I've uploaded, works exactly like Real Player and buffers the stream if it drops off. Even somebody on a 56k modem could use it and the resulting WAV file is perfect every time.

Just finished to record Radio1 Essential Selection.

I love you!

AndreC said:

I loVe your avatar!

I'm just glad somebody appreciated my tutorial.

Justin1972UK said:

Big scifi geek here!!



Seriously, your tutorial is brilliant!!

AndreC said:

Only one person downloaded the program! I guess that was you.

Ooh!

http://www.prince.org/msg/7/177242

Justin1972UK said:

I'm proud of it.

Everyone else has missed out!

AndreC said:

Well, maybe they'll realise it's brilliance and ease of use one day...

By the way, if anybody ever wanted to record the live stream from BBC Radio 2, the trigger URL is http://www.bbc.co.uk/radi...a/fmg2.ram

Bugga! it sounded gr8 so i downloaded the file, opened the zip and clicked on the .exe but it came up with an error message saying: Failed to load the 'C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Common\pnen3260.dll' library.

KrystleEyes said:

You have got the Real Player installed, haven't you?