Forgot where I found this, I think it was on ARFCom though :
How to save Video Programmers have gotten smarter. "Right Click/Save As" is not always an option these days, but there are still all these cool videos, etc that you want to save, but can't. Or at least it seems that way.
Most of these typically play in 'pop-up' type windows, where a new window opens in which the actual video plays. Generally, there is so much Java and Active-X coding, that I can't seem to find the actual media file (the video) to save.
Part of the problem is Microsoft's MMS
MMS or ' Microsoft Media Server ' protocol is Microsoft's proprietary network streaming protocol. Microsoft has never released a specification to describe how MMS actually works, yet it is extensively used by their Microsoft media player software. MMS protocol can be used on top of TCP and UDP transport protocols over any network medium. Its primary use is to stream live or prerecorded audio and video content to your computer without any need to download a file before playing.
Well, here are a couple of tips.
First, there is a program called 'URL Snooper' that will dig through the coding and find the file names.
"Many links to streaming audio and video that you come across on the web are hidden behind javascript or activex scripts. Because of this, it is sometimes very difficult to figure out the actual urls that correspond to the streams being played. URL Snooper provides easy solution to finding the URLs for all streams by by watching network traffic and identifying potential urls, especially streaming media urls."
This program is a little difficult to use (and there is a much easier way to find files that you have played - see TECHIE TIP below). Bottom line - you DO NOT NEED this program.
URL Snooper
Second, there is SDP (streaming download project). SDP will play the media file and 'copy' it to your harddrive. It works like a VCR.
You will need this program or another streaming capture program to actually capture streaming media to your harddrive.
sdp.ppona.com/
TECH TIP: Once you have viewed a video, there will be a 'copy' of it in your Internet Temporary Files folder. It will be a DAT file. You can't use the DAT file directly, but you can use the address to download the file.
The Temporary file will look like this (colors added):
mms://a1020.v87255.c8725.g.vc.akamaistream.net/7/1020/8725/v0001/msnent.download.akamai.com/8725/DBA90618/published/Video/Projects/High/1073259_Clip1_SuzieMcNeil.wmv#0;1.000;0;0;1:2;4:2
Take the name of the file and delete all the trailing characters that are shown in green. The actual video file will most often end in '.wmv', 'rpn' or '.mov' Everything past that part of the filename shown in GREEN is coding characters that you don't need. Using a capture program such as SDP (above) or GetASFStream, etc, you can paste the BLUE portion of the filename and have the capture program play only the video portion and write it to your harddrive.
You now have your own copy of those videos that you always wanted to save but couldn't figure out how to!!!!
(The Temporary Files folder is used to store images, text, and multimedia that you view on the Internet to your harddrive, so that if you view it again, you are actually viewing it from the harddrive and not having to pull it from the Internet again. It is designed to speed up your Internet expeirence by pulling locally without you knowing it. The Temporary Files folder uses a % of yor total harddrive space and as it fills up, older stuff is automatically deleted).
To find your Internet Temporary Files, do the following:
If you are in Internet Explorer.
Click Tools
Click Internet Options...
On the General tab under Temporary Internet files click Settings...
The Settings window will show Temporary Internet files folder > Current location:
Example:
C:\Documents and Settings\Veblin\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
Click View Files... to open the TIF.
Pretty cool. Let the hard drive filling begin.
Happy Surfing
Thank you to whoever typed this up