Using podcast software to subscribe to a podcast

Follow these instructions to download audio and video with iTunes software. The audio and video can be transferred to a portable player (e.g., iPod, iPhone, iPad) or played on your computer. Keep in mind that your portable player may not support all media types available in a podcast. JCU podcasts support all media types compatible with iTunes (files with the following extensions: mp3, mp4, m4a, m4v, mov and pdf). Therefore, iTunes may be your best choice for podcast software.

Using iTunes to connect to a podcast: if you have iTunes already, follow the directions below. If you don't have it, go to http://www.apple.com/itunes/ (free download)

1. Open iTunes

2. Select Subscribe to Podcast... in the Advanced menu.

3. Enter the URL to the desired podcast in the dialog box that appears and click the OK button (the URL in the illustration below is only an example).

4. iTunes will now download information about the media available in the podcast and will also download the first media file in the list.

5. Click the arrow at the left of the podcast title to open the list of available media. In the illustration below you will note that the first file is available. The remaining media have GET buttons. You can download additional media by clicking the appropriate GET button. There is also a Get All button (not illustrated) that you can use to download all items in the podcast.

6. You can use iTunes to transfer copies of the media to your iPod, iPhone or iPad (if you have one of these, we assume you already know how to do this). For other portable players, the method of transfer will vary. For Windows computers, you can find the media files in the following directory: C:\Documents and Settings\your user name here\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Podcasts

You can email Dr. La Favre if you need technical help - jlafavre@jcu.edu