Hi,

My recording abilities are completely inconsistent. I'm on XP running through a VPN.
My typical command is: get_iplayer --get "..." --tvmode=best --force

I have several issues:

1. I often record OK, but sometimes it takes a few attempts because...
2. ...Get_iplayer frequently only records partial programmes. Sometimes just a few minutues, other times most of the show.
3. For the last few days all I have received are various "failed to connect socket" / "failed to record" errors.

Thanks

dR

Your VPN is the problem. Many VPNs either block media streaming services like those used for get_iplayer, or they simply don't support them very well. Streaming media is much, much more bandwidth intensive than the typical use for VPNs - web browsing. Unfortunately, we can't help you with that.