What do I need to listen to a podcast?
Podcasting is a new method of sharing audio, video, and other media files over the Internet through a subscription-based service. You receive the latest updates on your chosen channels. There is no need of sophisticated gadgets like iPod to listen to a podcast as your computer can play podcasts using software like Windows Media Player or Real Player. So simply download the podcast on to your computer and play it whenever you like. Alternately you can download it directly to your portable MP3 players like the iPod. You may also store it on a CD and play it wherever you go.
Software required for podcast
Most podcast downloads are free. Some video podcasts of popular programs may cost a few dollars. However, you need proper software to manage your subscriptions to various podcast channels. This software is a podcast aggregator, news reader or pod catcher that permits you to subscribe to several pod casts directly from their RSS feeds. Whenever you switch on your computer, this software will update your podcast so that you have access to the latest content on your favorite podcast.
Here is a list of the best pod catchers available currently. These are in no particular order ; Juice, Odeo, iTunes, Yahoo Podcasts and Feed Demon for Windows.
Downloading a podcast
Right click on the chosen audio podcast and select save as in the desired file on your computer. Those with Mac operating system need to download by pressing the control button and then clicking on the link to download the linked file.
Those with an iPod visit the iTunes website, then click on File with the option to add new tunes to the library. Enter the podcast title in the search terms and then click subscribe. Next, download the file and then transfer it to your iTunes library. The podcast will synchronize with the iPod and be available for listening. You can listen to free music podcasts. You can buy audio books for $2.95, movies from $9.99 to $14.99 and games starting at $4.99. All of these will automatically synchronize with your iPod.
In case you have opted Juice, download it on your computer by clicking on the download link available at all podcast websites. Juice has many superior features like an in built directory of several thousand podcasts, automatic clean up and authentication. It can cater to multiple media players at one go and has a centralized feed management system. It is easily accessible to partially sighted and blind users.
Run the installer, select the location, and then save it on your computer. To listen to a podcast simply click on the feed title to view individual episodes in a bottom window. Then right click on the episode you wish to hear and play it on your media player.
Configuring your MP3 player for podcasting
In case you own an MP3 player from companies other than Apple, like Dell, Pocket PCs, or Smart phones, you need to configure your player with Windows Media Player. To simplify matters, create Podcasting folder in My Music folder after installing Windows Media Player as the default media player. Choose the types of podcast you want, namely text, audio, or video. Right click on it and download it using Juice or iTunes as described above. Next, right click on the play list and select Add to Sync list for all episodes of the podcast. You can then synchronize these with your portable MP3 player. Connect the MP3 player to your computer; select the Sync tab on the Windows Media Player Screen start Sync and then you can have a vast collection of podcasts no your MP3 player.
You can automate the entire synchronization process through the Auto Play list function when you subscribe to multiple podcasts. For this, just edit the settings on the Windows Media Player so that you get the latest updates of only the past 24 hours whenever you connect your MP3 player to the computer. You must also get the downloaded files optimized using Windows Media Player.