Converting .ram to .wav or .mp3

[Monique]

Is it possible to isolate audio out of a Realplayer video file?

I am asking because there are hundreds of lectures available online http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp?c=36 and it would be great to be able to listen to them during the daily commute

 

[MacTech]

you are going to have to stream rip those, that is the bad thing about real media.. however stream ripping will take a 1:1 ratio of time.. so there wouldn't be a point imo. you should email them and ask them for some other format.

 

[Monique]

Ok, I don't know what you just said, besides it not being possible :P So how would it being in a different format help?

I'd just like to point out that no copyright exists on the material and that it may be disseminated freely, for the FBI agents watching ;)

 

[chroot]

What he means is that the files on that site are not normal files that you can download to your disk. They are streaming files, meant only to be watched downloaded-on-the-fly by the Real player. You'd have to "stream rip" the files, using a special program to save the stream to your disk. As MacTech said, if the lecture is an hour long, you'll have to wait an hour for the stream rip process to complete.

Then, you'd have to deal with getting the audio information out and converting it to .mp3.

If you really want this done badly, it can be done -- but it might be tough. Since there's no copyright, it really might be a good idea to just write them and see if they can provide the lectures in a less restricted format.

- Warren

 

[russ_watters]

Virtually any cd ripper progam will record directly to mp3 from any source on your computer (www.musicmatch.com). Just set the source to "system mixer," hit record, and start the streaming lecture.

 

[sunilkamadolli]

as far as i knoe therez no real audio stream ripper...
much simpler way to do this is use "stereo out" recording...beaware that you can only record the audio...no videos...
simply, go to the volume control options...go to options, properties and then select recording...check the "stereo out" option mute microphone options and simply play the real audio file and click record in the "sound recorder" [from accessories]...or you can download a free sound recorder and then click record while the real stream is playing in the background...enjoy high quality stereo recording :)
If you are worrying about the copyrights issue, just contact them and ask them what to do.