Shows from the BBC a presented in the Real Audio format, which usually can't be downloaded directly. But if you have the right tools, they can . This little howto is part of my bigger howto How to download Real Audio streams and convert Real Audio to MP3. This howto is divided in a beginner section, for those who aren't familiar with Firefox and Flashget and Flashgot, and a shorter section for those who are already familiar with those tools. I am using a German version of Firefox and Flashget, so hopefully I translated all the steps correctly.
Lets say you want to download an archived show from the BBC homepage. Usually there is a link, named "Listen to the show" to the archived show. If you follow this link, the BBC Radio Player will open.
Not familiar with Flashget
Right-click in the left frame (highlighted in the picture below with a red rectangle), select FRAME ->Show Frame information -> MEDIA. There should be a list of all the media files (like pictures and sound files) contained in this frame. In order to download the show, look for the "embedded" files. The link to the show, provided as a real audio file (.rpm), should be something like this:
/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio1/gilles.rpm
Open Flashget, click on the button for a new file (looks like a sheet of paper) than copy the link to the show into the pop-up (in the URL field), but ad www.bbc.co.uk to the link, the final link should than be:
www.bbc.co.uk . Download the file. Rename the file (right click -> rename) from from XXX.rpm to XXX.txt. In this example from gilles.rpm to gilles.txt.
This is the actual file you want to downlad. As you can see, it doesn't start with http, that's why it can't be downloaded using a mere browser. To download the show, again click on the "new file" button in Flashget, copy the rtsp://... link in the URL field and press start. THATS IT!
Familiar with Flashget
To use Flashget and Firefox the easiest way, also use the plug-in Flashgot. In order to download the show Right-click in the left frame (highlighted in the picture above with a red rectangle), select "download everything using Flashgot" -> Select Filter -> File type: rpm
Download the file. Rename the file (right click -> rename) from from XXX.rpm to XXX.txt. In this example from gilles.rpm to gilles.txt.
Most of the shows of the BBC aren't archived. Meaning, for example, the direct link to the Freak show of June 22 is the same as of June 29. In order to download any of the shows above, just copy the links and use Flashget to download them.
If you configure Real Player to use a non-existant proxy (127.0.0.1 will work for most people) it will throw up an error message with the audio stream it can't download. Just copy and paste it into your fav downoad manager and you are done, no more searching html code.
Cheer's man - that's one of the best and to the point instructions I've come across in a long time. Here's the translation:
Right-click in the left frame
select THIS FRAME ->View Frame Info -> MEDIA.
I've found in IE7 and recent real audio streams that the rpm's not listed in the MEDIA list. So just go via THIS FRAME ->View Frame Source and ctrl f using rpm as the search phrase - then choose the rpm string which has .rpm suffix.
Hi swen, very handy tutorials, thanks so much. In english, the instructions for firfox are:
This Frame -> View Frame Info -> Media
or if you're using the FlashGot plugin for firefox, you right-click and select "FlashGot All" . I don't see any option to filter the flashgot downloading though.
Hi, Swen. Thanks for the tutorial.
I have the Real file address (using URLSnooper) and Wackget (I'm using XP) but when I copy the link into the "Queue/Add new item..." box of WackGet, nothing happens. The link is rtsp://rmv8.bbc.net.uk:554/radio2/r2_genesis.ra
Any help welcome. The BBC remove this link on Saturday!!
easier way to find the real audio file