Need Technical Advice Capturing DRM Streaming Videos

[Mr Ciccone]

Hi

I really hope that someone here can help me out with a difficult problem……..

I want to capture/download some streaming video files from this website: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/

Normally I would use a stream recorder program such as Replay Video Suite to do this, but the problem I am having with these video files is that there is no way to locate the URLs and they have a thing called DRM protection!

After I watched all the videos that I wanted, I went to my Temporary Internet Folder and managed to locate all the corresponding DAT files.

However these won’t play in my Windows Media Player in their current form and I also can’t burn them on to a VCD or anything!

I tried changing the file extensions from .dat to .mpg but it didn’t make any difference. I also downloaded a program called VCDGear which claimed to convert DAT files to MPEG. Unfortunately this didn’t work either as all I got was a message saying “No MPEG Stream”

Can anyone explain what all this means and offer a solution to the problem?

Thanks in advance

[cphsrsh]

Dude, I have the same problem as you do. You can google URL Snooper. This program finds all the Multimedia URLs that are being played on your computer.

However, some really big streaming video files (40MB +) are hard to download using the "tools" on this site. Thus, I found the .dat in the Temp. Internet Folder that is exactly the same size as the streaming video, but I can't get it to play. ARRG

Please someone help us.

[jonas more]

The only way I know to record DRM protected video is with screen capture software.

I use Replay Screencast.

Since the files you are trying to convert are DRM protected I don't think there is any way to convert them.

[csworx]

If you use a screen capture tool, make certain that it can include DirectX overlay surfaces. Otherwise you will capture large black areas.

Also, DRM protected content is usually copyrighted content. Your rights to legally use it may vary depending upon your intended use and locale.

[jonas more]

Otherwise you will capture large black areas

If you end up with 'large black areas' as indicated by csworx you can right-click on your Desktop and select 'Properties' > 'Settings' > 'Advanced' > 'Troubleshoot'.

Change hardware acceleration to 'None' while recording.

After recording you should change Hardware acceleration back to 'Full'.

[cphsrsh]

Thanks, jonas and csworx.

However, I have one question. How do I determine if the streaming video I'm watching is DMR protected?

For example my streaming video is from

http://www.atpmastersseries.tv

and if I right-click on the video screen and go to

Properties -> Location

This is the address for the streaming video :

http://www.atpmastersseries.tv/page/media/0,,~,00.asx?path=zzf%3A//ngc.ivqrb.cerzvhzgi...eiAnqny_yb.jzi

Does this mean it is DMR protected?

[cphsrsh]

jonas, I've just tried the DEMO version of Replay Screencast. However, when I record the video, the sound doesn't come out and the videos are a bit choppy.

Could you help me with this? Jeez, I'm asking you to help me with everything. I'd be very grateful.

[jonas more]

I am not sure how to tell if the video is DRM protected... if I can't convert it, I assume it is DRM protected.

These are a few of the settings I use in Replay Screencast:

Audio Line In: "What U Hear"
Frames per second: 30
Smoothness: 90
High Motion Video

If you know the bit rate of the original file you can try the same bit rate in Replay Screencast video settings.

If the video is still choppy, try a higher bit rate. It is a lot easier if you plan to view the recording on your computer only. I have tried a bit rate of up to 1000 and it would still play on my computer.

When I am planning to use the video I am recording to make a VCD, sometimes I have to work with the bit rate to get it right.

I record a small segment of the video I am capturing and open the file up in Nero Vision to convert to VCD or SVCD. Sometimes the video will be distorted. If it is, I choose a different bit rate (sometimes higher - sometimes lower) and try again.

Give it a try with these settings (trying different bit rates) and let us know if it works for you too!

Anthony

[cphsrsh]

Thanks Anthony. All the help and advice you've given me has really helped me a lot.

However, there still seems to be a problem. When I turned the hardware acceleration off because there were black areas when I used the Replay Screencast, now the streaming video in the WMP is totally black! Therefore, I can't capture the video.

ARRG! This process is very frustrating indeed. However, I am willing to do whatever it takes because this streaming video means a lot to me. Anthony, I ask for your guidance once more.

[jonas more]

I haven't ran into the problem you describe so I am not sure I can help you.

With Replay Screencast closed, does the video play normally even though Hardware acceleration is set to 'None"?

Before, you said you were getting video that was a 'bit choppy'.

You only need to set your Hardware acceleration to 'None' if while recording you see the video play normally but when you play the recording, you only see a black screen.

Are you trying to record a screen region (video window only) or full screen (entire desktop)?

If you are trying to record the entire desktop (playing movie full screen), I believe setting a smaller Screen Region will help. If you are worried about the video size, don't. You can record the smaller video player window only and still watch your video in 'full screen' after it is recorded. I always record videos while they play at '100%' in WMP (or any other player).

To record a screen region you must:
1. Click 'Settings'
2. Select 'Screen Region'
3. With your mouse, drag the bulls eye to the top-left corner of the region.
4. Release the mouse button, then drag to the bottom-right corner of the region to record from.
5. Release the mouse button, and right-click. The screen coordinates of the region are entered into the Settings dialog.
6. Click OK.

If this doesn't help...

You will find a Replay Screencast user guide here:
http://www.applian.com/replay-screencast/support/user_guide10.php

Here you will find some FAQ which may help:
http://www.applian.com/replay-screencast/support/faq.php

Try not to become TOO frustrated... hopefully we will get this figured out soon

Again, let us know if this works.

[cphsrsh]

Thanks a lot Anthony for your help. I believe I've figured out what I was doing wrong.

First off, I should have made myself clearer. The "bit choppy" video was the recorded
video (using Replay Screencast) of the actual streaming video. And the video I was trying to record was played on a screen region, not on fullscreen. And finally, to answer your question, "Yes," the video plays normally even when Hardware acceleration is set to "None."

All righty. Here's some of the things I learned today.

1. I should have turned the Hardware Acceleration to "none" before I turned on the WMP.
2. Because, when I changed it to "none" during playback, the streaming video goes black.
3. Like you mentioned, I should record videos while they play at 100%, instead of 200%.

THANKS a million for the great help. You're an Angel.

[jonas more]

You're welcome... glad I could help!

Anthony