A streaming media recorder is a computer program that allows a person to record audio or video content from another source as it is played on a computer. Most websites go to great lengths to block this type of recording by using various methods to protect their streaming media content. Generally, a streaming media recorder is a software program that can directly capture any sound being played through the computer's sound card. If a person can hear the sound coming out of his or her computer speakers, then a streaming media recorder typically can capture it and save it to the hard drive.
There are many different programs available that will allow a person to record streaming media from the Internet onto a computer. Many streaming media recorder programs are available as freeware, meaning a user can download the program and use it for free. Once downloaded and installed, a person can run the streaming media recorder program and then open the streaming media content on the Internet.
Once the streaming media content begins to play, the "Record" button typically should be pressed on the streaming media recorder software to begin recording the streaming media. Some software will have the user specify a location and file name to save the streaming content before the recording process begins, while other software will have the user do this after the streaming media has been recorded. Whichever is the case, a user typically will want to make sure that there is enough room on the hard drive to save the file, as many of these files can be quite large.
Since a person is physically recording the streaming media and not actually downloading the source file, he or she will have to allow the streaming media to play through in its entirety. This is so that the streaming media recorder can record the whole file to the hard drive. After the streaming media has finished playing, the user typically will need to press the "Stop" button on the streaming media recorder software to end the recording process.