recording radio from pc: how to record/capture/save/rip audio stream from BBC iPlayer

[reggieq]

I have a Dell dimensionC521 pc about 18 months old with windows XP home edition SP2. I have been trying to record talk radio but my pc only allows microphone or in line input. I have heard from several people that they have a "what you hear" option as well.So far I have had to record onto a minidisk recorder and then back to the pc but this is very time consuming, I can also use the microphone but then I get lots of extraneous sounds. I have downloaded "freecorder" but I have to put it on maximum volume output to get even a very faint sound.Is this a sound card problem or what. Can anyone give me any advice on this. I would be very grateful.
I sould have said that I have a sigmatel audio device. I have tried updating it from the web but it tells me that my version is the most up to date!!

[Stream Ripper]

Well, we've got a pretty extensive list of programs we recomend here:


How to record streaming audio

Funny you mentioned freecorder and sigmatell, however,
A lot of times the Sigma Tel sound card is missing some of the settings. If you would like to you can try this:

You can install the LG SigmaTel Drivers. This will restore the "stereo mix" line source:

--Follow this link: http://us.lgservice.com/
--Click on: Product Support
--Go to: Device Driver
--In product, select “Notebook”
--Type in a search for “Sigmatel”
--Download and install the resulting file (the largest one).

Before you do this please do a restore point on your computer. I always do one prior to installing software. If this doesn't work you might need to try another of our programs that is not dependent on your sound card.

You may want to try Replay AV. It uses a stream capture recording method.

Stream Capture has a lot of advantages over the other recording methods:

- You can record without using the sound card.
- You can record multiple streams at the same time.
- You get perfect reproduction and the smallest possible file size.
- Background noises are always eliminated.


You can try a free demo and learn more here: Replay AV

I hope this helps.

[reggieq]

Thanks for your response. I did as you said and downloaded and installed the driver. Unfortunately it removed all the sound the little volume icon on the tool bar also disappeared. Did I do something wrong or was there something I failed to do. I have done a system restore but I still have the sigmatel file.What I did was to unzip the folder and the clicked on the setup.exe wizard file.

I would try to download audio drivers from Dell.

Also try to open your stereo mixer and see what kind of volume it has for playing and recording.

And in many cases it is better to download/rip/capture streaming audio than to record it. Many media stream recorders and audio stream rippers can be used for the purpose. Please post the URL of the web-site (and stream) so that we can help more.

[reggieq]

I dont't know what the stereomixer is or how to open it but if you can advise me I'll certainly do as you suggest.I am trying to record from BBC radio

BBC radio broadcasts are in real audio format. To capture/download/rip them you may use WM Recorder, Replay AV and other media stream recorders and audio stream rippers that support real audio streams broadcasted through the RTSP protocol.