The most POPULAR stream recording software (free download):

• REPLAY MEDIA CATCHER
  the best audio/video stream ripper. Supports the most popular flash video format (RTMP and HTTP).
• REPLAY CAPTURE SUITE
  the best audio/video stream recording/capturing bundle
• REPLAY MUSIC
  the best streaming music recorder
• WM RECORDER
  the best Windows Media, Real Audio/Video stream capture software

Other RECOMMENDED software and services:

• REPLAY MEDIA GUIDE
  free service to find and record online radio, Internet TV, podcasts
• AVS VIDEO TOOLS
  convert, split, join, remove commercials, edit, rotate, apply effects, capture, transfer, copy, rip and burn DVD and video files
• EMUSIC
  the best legal music download service
• AUDIBLE
  download audio books, audio magazines, newspapers, radio programs
• SOUNDTAXI
  remove DRM protection from Windows Media, iTunes music and video files

1. The connection speed is lower than the bit rate (bit rate / speed) of the clip. In this case Windows Media layer can either switch to a lower bit rate (if the clip properties allows it) or freezes the image and plays only sound. When switching to a lower bit rate the picture and / or sound are lower quality. In both situations the Player will display the message "Buffering...".
2. Packets of data are lost. In this case Windows Media Player may either freeze both the picture and sound or show no picture at all. The time display however keeps moving forward.

When recording in URL Mode with WM Recorder these problems may be fixed. WM Recorder does not switch to a lower bit rate so even though the received data rate may be lower the picture and sound will be OK when the file is played back. To compensate for lost packets, WM Recorder implements a time compressing feature which eliminates the gaps. However, the lost information is not recovered.

You can also use the Reprocess File option (after right clicking a recorded file in the Play dialog) to fix some problems. A file with the extension .rep.asf will be created.

If a connection is dropped, you can use the Resume Recording function (accessible from the PLAY button) to restart recording from where you left off. Note: Only seekable streams can be resumed. Continuous (live) streams cannot be resumed.

See also: Windows Media stream recorders: download ASF, WMV, WMA streams