Finding Stream URLs For Use With Timers

   In order to create effective timers in Audio Hijack Pro, it's best to have a direct link to the URL of the stream you wish to record. Just like you need to tell your VCR what channel to record, Audio Hijack Pro needs to know what stream to pass off to the source. The proper URL is entered in the Open URL field, and the selected source application opens this URL at the appointed time. The key is ALWAYS to have the exact address of the stream.

   However, finding these URLs can be tricky. There's no single correct way to find the URL for a stream, but we've outlined several methods to try. Generally, at least one of these methods will provide a direct link to the stream. When you have a bookmark file or direct URL, choose the proper application in the Application selector of a Session, then use the "Select" menu under the "Open URL/File/AppleScript" field, and choose "Select File..." to pick the proper bookmark, or just paste the URL in. When you hit "Hijack", Audio Hijack Pro will send the link on to the source application.

Click The Listen Button
   When accessing a stream's website, there is often a "Click To Listen" button or link, or something close. This is used to open the stream, for live listening. However, it often downloads a bookmark file, which will usually end in one of the following file name extensions: .ram, .asf, .rm, .smil, .mov. Other bookmark types may also be found, these are just some of the most common. When double-clicked, this file will usually lead directly to the stream you're tuned in to. You can use this file in the Open URL field.*

   Also, take note that many streams play inside of your web browser (using browser plugins). However, they often have an option to "Listen In Stand-Alone Player" or a link to click if you're having listening problems. This too will often download the bookmark file you need.

Control-click The Listen Button
   Instead of simply clicking the Listen button, try control-clicking it. This will bring up a menu with several options, and you can use the "Copy Link To Clipboard" option to pull the link out. You can then paste this link into the Open URL field of your session. Be sure to test this link, however, it won't always be the direct stream link for which you're searching. When it is, however, you'll be all set.

Search The HTML
   Sometimes, it can be difficult to locate a link. If you're up to it, you can try scouring the HTML code that defines a web page. Choose View Source from Safari's View menu, and try to hunt down the stream's URL. These will often end in .rm, .ram, or .asx.

Check The Player
   If you can't find the URL, but you can get it to play in a stand-alone player such as Windows Media Player or RealPlayer, you can often find the URL by checking the Player's Info window. This window, called Get Info in Window Media Player and Clip Info in RealPlayer, provides information on the current stream. This should include a direct link to the stream which you can copy and paste out.

Dynamically Create URLs
   With AppleScripts, you can use Audio Hijack Pro to dynamically generate stream urls, grabbing urls off the web that change often. This is especially useful for stream urls that change based on dates. Look at the following script example:

set urlString to "http://example.com/path/to/show/%Y-%m-%d.ram" set urlString to do shell script "echo -n;date '+" & urlString & "'" return urlString

   If the date is July 28th, 2004, this script will returns the url: http://example.com/path/to/show/2004-07-28.ram. Create a script with similar code, then use the "Select" menu under the "Open URL/File/AppleScript" field, and choose "Select AppleScript..." to pick the proper AppleScript. When you hit "Hijack", this script will run and return the address, which will then be passed on to the source application.

Worst Case, Leave The Stream Running
   If all else fails, you can simply leave the stream running. Set it up for live listening. Then, create a new Session, set the proper audio source, and set a timer. You can even pre-hijack the application, and use AH Pro's Mute button to mute local output, though this isn't required. Then, when the timer runs, it will record the already playing stream. Note, this works best with the Instant Hijack component installed, so see the Install Extras menu item under the Audio Hijack Pro menu.

   Good luck, and happy recording!

*Be aware, RealPlayer will often delete these files once it opens a stream, in a misguided effort to keep your hard drive clean. To prevent this, lock the file in the Finder. Get Info on the bookmark file, and turn on the Locked checkbox, and RealPlayer will be unable to delete the file.