Web video and audio streams are a little restrictive, aren't they? We love streaming services like Real's Rhapsody and the live ABC News stream, but they don't let you save files and use them on an iPod, or burn media files onto a CD without paying. Sure, they'll let you transfer streams to a set of "approved" devices like the Creative Zen Vision:M. But you can watch only when and how they want you to.

You could get around these hurdles by recording streams to a home stereo or VHS, and then rerecording back to a PC. That's a convoluted process, though. Instead, try Replay A/V ($49.90, www.applian.com), which records just about any Internet stream, letting you save unprotected audio or video files and use them any way you want. Recorded streams look super-clean at a high bit rate, although their window size is typically only about 320-by-240. To watch shows when you want, just browse the Replay A/V guide and click a few buttons to record and save your files. Or find a stream on the Web and do a quick record.

Now, we have to mention that, in some cases, this might violate the site's terms of use agreement. Although it's all for personal use—right?—you'll want to check and comply with copyright restrictions, and I certainly don't recommend sharing Replay A/V-recorded files, which could get you in a boatload of trouble.

John Brandon is a freelance writer based near Minneapolis.