Under Windows there are several tools that can capture live streams and save them to a file. These streams are usually broadcasted over the mms:// protocol. Oftentimes, this protocol is wrapped inside a .asx or .wmv wrapper. These wrappers have the information required to fetch the streaming media, either live or recorded.

There is an application in the Universe repository since Gutsy which enables us to store the streaming media as a local file. Its called mimms, and under Intrepid Ibex its running on version 3.2.1-1.

If your universe repository is enable, you can install mimms using aptitude:

$ sudo apt-get install mimms

Using mimms to record streaming media

Once the program is installed, you can do recordings of mms:// streams via terminal. The link of currently streaming video can usually be obtained by right-clicking on the video window and copy-link. To start recording type the copied mms:// link as an argument for mimms, which starts saving the streaming content to your /home/user folder.

$ mimms mms://cnnvideo.streamserver.asx

It displays the size of the output file in real time. You can stop the recording at any time by ctrl-c without damaging the file. This file can then be played using the media player of your choice.