I want to download streaming content (specificially videos) from ANY browser.

[Hyphen]

I don't want a browser addon or plugin. I don't want a web service like Video2MP3. I want a standalone (preferably portable) software that sniffs away at requests, lists video/audio files that are active, and gives you the option to download them as a raw file. Am I being too picky or does anything like this actually exist?

[wr975]

GetFLV ($60)
http://www.getflv.net/

Replay Media Catcher ($40)
http://applian.com/download-videos/

Also, there's StreamTransport (freeware), but I think development died one year ago.
http://www.streamtransport.com/

As browser plugin (Firefox) I'm using DownloadHelper (freeware).

[skwire]

As browser plugin (Firefox) I'm using DownloadHelper (freeware).

I can vouch for this.  It works extremely well.

[Edvard]

My son discovered that the latest version of RealPlayer does this.
Whether it's IE or Firefox (he hasn't tried Chrome) it pops up a little "Download This Video" tab at the corner of whatever video player applet is going.
I would expect that Real would only give you the option to download in RealMedia format, but I think I remember it being more generous than that; I could be wrong.

When I can take another gander at his laptop, I'll report back...

[Josh]

Real Player's downloader is decent, but it has issues keeping up with the recent onslaught of version number whoring. That said, I recently bought the SoThinkMedia Web Video Downloader thanks to the promotion on BitsDuJour yesterday. It works with all but chrome, with no plugins required. Yes, this includes Opera (which I am now running thanks to this tool). The program is great and catches all videos that I've managed to browse.

[Hyphen]

https://sourceforge.net/projects/mediasniffer/ is going the job perfectly.

[InstantFundas]

Orbit downloader is the best. Search on Google. Too lazy to post the link.

[Curt]

-Orbit Downloader has developed into one of the best "updating"-programs.
"You have 121 updates waiting for you" !!!

However, what makes Orbit Downloader really good as a media catcher, is "Grap Pro", and this works only with Internet Explorer, not "ANY browser".

[InstantFundas]

However, what makes Orbit Downloader really good as a media catcher, is "Grap Pro", and this works only with Internet Explorer, not "ANY browser".

Open GrabPro, click Actions > Preferences > Monitoring and check the boxes against the browsers you want it to work. ALL browsers are supported. I have been using it to download videos through Chrome and Opera.