I am looking for a program that will allow me to record the following
radio station: http://www.solarradio.com/

I use StationRipper for other stations, but this station is not
listed. I wish it was! This is the type of program I am looking for -
EASY to use. The program needs to have the ability to rip tracks. A
free program would be great or I will pay if it does the job.

(Note: I have tried Audio Playback Recorder 3.6 and don't like the
sound quality or the documentation. So this is out)

There are a number of different software solutions for this and I will
detail the best ones I have tried below, as it appears you already
have some experience of this type of software I will not touch on how
it works.

HiDownload - http://www.hidownload.com/new.htm
· can download movies, music and mp3. 
· Used protocols: HTTP, FTP, MMS 
· Analyses: MMS, RTSP, URL address (Auto download the URLs in RAM,
ASX, SMIL, PLS and M3U files)
· supports multi-threads downloading with resuming capability which
decreases download time (if applicable)
· $30

Net Transport - http://www.xi-soft.com/default.htm
· Records Windows Media Streams, Real Video Streams, Quick Time Video
· Can download password-protected files
· FREE!

CoCsoft Stream Down 3.0 - http://stream-down.cocsoft.com/
· Supports HTTP, FTP, RTSP, MMS, MMSU, MMST
· $40

StreamBox VCR Suite 2.0 -
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/audio_software/audio_tools/streambox_vcr.cfm
· Supports .RAM (Real Media), .ASX (Windows Media), .SMIL (Real media
content), .PLS (MP3 stream), .MOV (QuickTime)
· DOES NOT work with password protected streams. 
· Allows to resume the recording of an incomlete stream. 

Offline Explorer Pro - http://www.metaproducts.com/mp/mpProducts_Detail.asp?id=2
· Not the best solution as it has limited features but supports most
of the above protocols

ASFRecorder - http://asfrecorder.chat.ru/
· Supports .ASF, .WMA, .WMV, .ASX, .WMX, .WVX but the resultant file
will be in .asf format which is poorer in quality

Web Stream Recorder - http://www.sytexis.com/
· Web Stream Recorder can Windows Media streams (asf, wmv, wma, asx,
wmx, wvx, wax, wvx, wax)
· No download resuming, no ASF indexing, no multiple downloads
· $20

WM Recorder - http://wmrecorder.com/
· records any Windows Media video and audio but only to asf again
· supports asf, wmv, wma, asx, wmx, wvx, wax, wvx, wax
· Cannot record content protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM)
or Real Player streams
· $30

I hope this answer gives you some more ideas as to which download
software to use, as with all of these things it is a personal
preference depending on the features you require.  In my opinion,
HiDownload is the easiest and best to use as I have never had any
trouble with it.  I have also enjoyed using the CoCSoft Stream Down in
the past but the higher cost of this software is a downside to me.

If you need any further help on this topic please ask for
clarification and I will be happy to help.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by mark800-ga on 02 Jun 2004 19:27 PDT

Do any of these have the ability to rip tracks? Thats really what I want.

---

Clarification of Answer by palitoy-ga on 03 Jun 2004 00:57 PDT

Yes, they are all stream recorders which means they record the music
you are listening to on the internet (ie ripping the tracks).  As I
indicated I think HiDownload is the best solution here.

Hello mark800,

I have always been more than pleased with the results from Total Recorder:

http://www.highcriteria.com/

"...Total Recorder records streaming audio, Mic input, Line-in input
as well as CDs and DVDs. The resulting files are saved on your
computer's hard-drive. The system also allows users to schedule any
number of future recordings!

Total Recorder Standard Edition costs just $11.95 (USD). Most other
recording packages cost more and deliver less. Additionally, all new
program updates are available to purchasers at no cost!.."

See if this will fill your needs. If so, I'd be happy to post as the
offical answer. If not, let us know what about this did not meet your
requirements to help find a better match for you.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-