DAT Extension Files and recording Windows Media mms:// streaming video

[pacific2000]

I downloaded a streaming video (mms) from a website that uses the Windows Media Player to stream their videos but it has a DAT extension that cannot be converted.

I tried various websites where they claim that their streaming capture software would download streaming video files but they have all failed to convert the file.

The software downloaded the video but with the same DAT extension as the file I've already copied from my temporary files folder.

Any ideas would be appreciated! Thanks, John

iblue was also trying to record AOL music videos and had a similar problem:

Originally Posted by iblue

Thanks a lot for the GAMV.exe program. Great app! But y'know what, WM Recorder 11 is not working with the music videos now (works perfect for the commercials before the videos though) for me. Turns out the video is now buffered on the local hard disk in a .dat format. Can't seem to open it anyway I know (which is way too few).

And here is the reply from the developer of WM Recorder

Originally Posted by WMRecorder developer

Many web sites are now changing their stream URLs right after the media player makes the connection to the stream. In this case the captured URL has no use.

With WM Recorder you can record AOL videos using the PRO mode. In this case the recorder uses the media player connection and data and does not make its own connection to the URL.

Does it solve your problem?

[pacific2000]

Here's a copy of an email I've received from applian.com

I tried their Replay A/V software and it saved the video with an ASF extension and not the DAT extension as all the other software I tried was doing so it solved the problem! John

Hi John,

What you're describing is exactly what Replay A/V is for. It stream captures audio and video clips and can also record shows on a schedule. Download and install the free demo of Replay AV and take it for a test drive.

Here is a link to the section of the User Guide that describes how to stream capture video with Replay AV.

http://www.applian.com/replay-av/sup....php#streamcap

Best Regards,

Debbie McCormick
Applian Technologies, Inc.

[EladCanada]

Hi John,

I just downloaded Replay AV and so far it's been successful at recording any stream I've tried. So I suggest you try what they say with the stream capture, it should most likely work.

Good luck!

[pacific2000]

Hey Elad,
I have tried Replay A/V and as you say it's pretty good and it works!
Thanks!
John

I really like Replay A/V and can suggest it. It has many features no other stream recording software has. And it is very easy to use.

However WM Recorder is more powerful in recording Windows Media streams. It is very unique and can record media streams that no other software can't. If you record many streams, you will notice that sooner or later.

I have to repeat that I wish the WM Recorder advanatages were integrated into the Replay A/V.

[pacific2000]

I have since tested WM Recorder 11 and as you say it seems to be a better option for Windows Media streams! Also it saves the recorded file as WMV rather than ASF when recording with Player AV.

Originally Posted by pacific2000

Also it saves the recorded file as WMV rather than ASF when recording with Player AV.

You may safely rename .WMV to .ASF and vice versa and play them in any player supporting Windows Media videos. The only difference I have noticed was that .ASF files can be un-indexed so that you're not allowed to fast forward or rewind, but WM Recorder can automatically index .ASF files while recording.

As for .dat files in the cache folder, they're useless. Haven't seen any program that can make them playable.

[EladCanada]

I have a really old version of WMRecorder (I have 8.0). What are the differences between Replay A/V and version 11 of WMRecorder? What makes WMRecorder 11 better when recording Windows Media Player streams than Replay A/V?

Originally Posted by EladCanada

I have a really old version of WMRecorder (I have 8.0). What are the differences between Replay A/V and version 11 of WMRecorder? What makes WMRecorder 11 better when recording Windows Media Player streams than Replay A/V?

WM Recorder 11 is different from 8.0. Lots of bugs were fixed. And now it can record not only Windows Media, but also Real Audio/RealVideo, Flash .FLV HTTP videos, QT HTTP video streams.

Besides the formats supported by WMRecorder, Replay A/V can download Flash HTTP .SWF, Nullsoft video streams (AOL .NSV videos), record Sirius and XM Online radio, record SlingBox streaming video.

WM Recorder in the Real Time recording mode (PRO or ADA) can record more streams then Replay A/V. While other recorders pretend to be a Windows Media Player when recording, WM Recorder in the Real Time recording mode captures network packets coming to your Windows Media Player.

Other media stream recorders may fail to record Windows Media streams:

1. Many web sites are now changing their stream URLs right after the media player makes the connection to the stream. In this case the captured URL has no use. Only WM Recorder in the PRO mode can record such streams.
2. DRM-protected and password authenticated streams are not included in the hijacked DLLs and SDKs used by the majority of stream recorders, so only WM Recorder can record them due to its unique features.
3. Windows Media Player's playlists (which are sometimes used instead of .ASX metafiles) can't be recorded by many stream recorders. Although not only WM Recorder can record them.