Capturing Streamming Audio & Video behind the lines

Posted by Hassan Maynard on Jan 13, 2008 in Web | 0 comments

Streaming Audio & Video

You all know what a stream is right? If not here are a few definitions of acronyms that you may want to familiarize yourself with.

You ask…

What is Streaming?

A stream of data that is sent as packets that are interpreted as it arrives from source to destination.

What are ASF and ASX?

Active Streaming Format (ASF) is a Microsoft file and data stream format for multimedia data including audio, video, still images, and other data types. Active stream redirector (ASX) provides information that a NetShow Player needs to receive either unicast or multicast ASF streams. An .asx file may be encrypted or not. An unencrypted .asx file is simply a text file that contains the URL” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)” onclick=” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)”s for the ASF streams. In comparison, ASX is use for redirecting the actual multimedia file. It is the liason between your NetShow player and the ASF files that are being streamed, it also may be contained in separate folders on the same host server or an external sever, therefore clients would not be able to determine the actual file source.

What is MMS?

Microsoft Media Server is a network protocol used to stream data to NetShow Players. The actual multimedia data in ASF format may be delivered using HTTP, TCP, or UDP protocols as available.
How do I.

First thing you need is your Applications (Apps)

The three that I use are:

Sniffer
. URL Helper

Recorders
. HiDownload
- or -
. GetASFStream

These apps may be downloaded at their retailer sites.

Now that you have your apps, you will open up the URL Helper.

• a. What is happening?
  You are recording all network traffic from client to host. Your computer to a computer(s) on your local area network (LAN) and/or wide area network (WAN, e.g. World Wide Web).

  b. What am I looking for?
  Remember asf, asx, and mms! It may be presented in any format so what I do prior to finding the URL is, run URL Helper up and sniffing the network right before launching the stream.

1. Click on the Select Adapter item from the menu.
Note: There should be a list there for you to select your adapter whether it” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)” onclick=” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)”s a 56k modem or a network interface card (NIC), I have a couple of NICs and therefore I see two adapter types.

2. Click on the Sniff Network item from the menu.

Now you have the URL similar to one I recently sniffed, e.g.rtsp://wmscnn.stream.aol.com/cnn/nitn/2005/08/23/nitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv

Note: If you do not have the Real Player installed on your computer and DO NOT want it either, change rtsp to http to request the stream within your media player e.g.http://wmscnn.stream.aol.com/cnn/nitn/2005/08/23/nitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv

Now if you were to download this link it would be 197 bytes in total. Hhmm! Obviously its only a shortcut to the source but lets say that you were going to the desert for one week to live in a tent without the internet and you wanted to keep this file on your computer what would you do?

You would use the HiDownload or GetASFStream apps that I had mention a little earlier. In this case I will use the HiDownload app since it is in English developed application.

Open up your HiDownload app.

1. Click on File then Select Add a URL to download
2. Copy & Paste the URL, use the one I showed as an example,rtsp://wmscnn.stream.aol.com/cnn/nitn/2005/08/23/nitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv
3. You also have the option of selecting or modifying the Download Mode, Save to folder, Rename, and Comments
4. Click on OK
5. You will start downloading the file onto your hard drive.

To conclude I can” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)” onclick=” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)” onclick=”return TrackClick(” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”" onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”,” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv” onclick=”return TrackClick(”,’rtsp%3A%2F%2Fwmscnn.stream.aol.com%2Fcnn%2Fnitn%2F2005%2F08%2F23%2Fnitn.edition.12.cnn.ws.wmv’)”)”t wait until movies openings hit the net or even rentals from streams, I would have a library of all my favorites.