Here you can read about Streaming Video Recorders - shareware and freeware software recording Windows Media video and audio including but not limited to Live Streaming Video, Streaming News Video, Streaming Music Videos, Streaming Adult Content, Web Radio Streams, Scientific (i.e. NASA video), News Features, Corporate Videos and any other Windows Media streaming content.

Note that starting with Windows Media Player 9 Series, Windows Media Services 9 Series and Windows Server 2003 RTSP Protocol is now the default protocol for streaming Windows Media. But now few programs support RTSP. Take a look at All Streaming Video Recording Software to see all the programs supporting RTSP for Streaming Windows Media.

Also note that some programs allow to record not only Windows Media Streams, but also Real Video, Real Audio and Quick Time Video Streams. Take a look at Universal Stream Recorders (Record Windows Media Streams as well as Real Media Streams).

• WM Recorder ^{Editor's choice!}
  WM Recorder records any Windows Media video and audio. It works by watching internet activity relating to Window Media Player, and assembling the streamed data as an ASF file, which can then be played using Windows Media Player on your PC or many portable devices. Other non-asf media files as MP3, MPEG, AVI or WAV can also be recorded.
  WM Recorder can record almost any Windows Media Stream. WM Recorder can NOT record:
  • Content protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM).
  • Real Player streams.
  
  Unlike many other VCR style recorders WM Recorder can record at the highest quality on slow connections, build and record playlists, record multiple streams at once, split and merge files, and more.
  But as a VCR style recorder WM Recorder is extremely easy to use. With just one click, any streamed Windows Media link is saved as a recorded file on your PC automatically.
  WM Recorder has advanced features like file reprocessing and automatic connection speed detection.
  You can make a Recorded ASF File Seekable while recording or later using Reprocess function!
  Resume Recording function allow you to restart recording from where you left off. This only works in URL Mode. Note: Only seekable streams can be resumed. Continuous (live) streams cannot be resumed.
  Platform: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
  Price: $29.95
  Requirements: Windows Media Player 7.0 or later.
  
  Disadvantages:
  • WM Recorder cannot convert to other file formats besides ASF, although this may be added by the developers to future releases. There are some publicly available programs which will make MP3 files or other formats from recorded ASF data.
  • Content protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) video/audio could not be recorded.

• WM VCR with WM Recorder
  WM VCR is just a handy add-on to WM Recorder for scheduling your own recordings. WM VCR makes it easy to start recording Windows Media Video or Audio at a preset time, just like a VCR.
  Price (WM VCR with WM Recorder): $39.90.

• SDP receiver
  SDP can download Windows Media streams using the following protocols:
  • Http v1.0 streaming protocol,
  • Http progressive (simple http download)
  • mms,
  • mmst
  • mmsu
  over TCP or UDP transport protocol.
  
  Platform: win98/me/NT/2000-SP4/Xp.
  SDP receiver is freeware.
  Currently this free program has problems with support and further development.

• Hi-Net Recorder 0.95beta
  This program allows you to record Video and Audio Streams of the following types:
  .ASF
  .WMV
  .WMA
  It also allows Windows Media metafiles (redirectors):
  .ASX
  .WMX
  .WVX
  .WAX
  
  Resuming is NOT allowed.
  You can record multiple channels (3 to 5 channels available) simultainously.
  You will also be able to rewind, replay, pause and move forward fast just like your current VCR.
  
  Platform: Windows
  Price: FREE

• ASFRecorder & ASFR+
  This program allows you to download streaming content in Windows Media Format to your hard drive. The resulting files will be in ASF format and can be played with Windows Media Player and derived tools.
  
  This programs allows you to record Movie and Audio streams of the following types:
  .ASF
  .WMA
  .WMV
  It also allows Windows Media metafiles (redirectors):
  .ASX
  .WMX
  .WVX
  Used protocols:
  HTTP
  MMS
  Protocol may be omitted.
  
  Resuming an incomlete stream is available.
  Proxy servers supported.
  Disallowed characters are removed from filename.
  
  Source code is available.
  Release: Final.
  No further bugfix, support or improvement by the author.
  User interface is not good at all.
  Platform: Windows/Linux
  Price: FREE

• Mac ASFRecorder
  This program allows you to download streaming content in Windows Media Format to your hard drive.
  Platform: Mac
  Price: FREE

• MMS Downloader Plugin
  This program allows you to download streaming content in Windows Media Format to your hard drive.
  Platform: Linux
  Price: FREE

• GetASFStream 2.1
  This program allows you to download streaming content in Windows Media Format to your hard drive.
  Platform: Linux
  Price: FREE

• NewPlay 4 All-in-One
  NewPlay 4 All-in-One is an audio/video player capable of recording Windows Media Streams (HTTP and MMS protocols used).
  Platform: Winows
  Price: $19.95

See also: Universal Stream Recorders (Record Windows Media Streams as well as Real Media Streams)