Podcast Help

Podcast FAQ's


What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is the mechanism by which audio and video files can be distributed across the internet to subscribers of an RSS feed. The name derives from a combination of 'iPod' and 'broadcasting' because people who subscribed through Apple's iTunes software could synchronise the content with their iPod for offline listening.

What is an RSS feed?

RSS, often referred to as 'Really Simple Syndication' is a file format that allows you to subscribe to the changing content of a website. RSS describes sequences of entries and becomes a 'feed' because the content of the file is updated when the content of the website changes. You will need an RSS reader - or aggregator - to subscribe through - it will register that there has been a change and will notify you of those changes. Podcasting RSS feeds are distinguished from ordinary feeds in that they contain 'enclosures' which tell your aggregator to locate and download the file for you.

How do I recognise a feed?

You may often see a link on a site that says 'Syndicate this site' or a graphic such as this one: RSS These indicate that you can subscribe to the content of the site. Clicking directly on the link will often lead you to a page of code which may not look intelligible. That's the file in its raw format. However, some browsers have RSS readers built in to them and will format the file for you automatically - Safari on Mac OSX is particularly friendly in this respect.

How do I subscribe to a feed?

To subscribe using an RSS link, copy the link (right-click on the link on a PC, Ctrl-click on a Mac) and paste it into the 'Subscribe' box of your RSS aggregator software.

What equipment do I need?

You do not need a portable music player to download and listen to podcasts, but you will need an internet connection, some speakers and an RSS aggregator program which is capable of subscribing to the podcast. See below for a list of suitable applications.

How much does it cost?

Some feeds are now charging people to subscribe, but, in general, feeds tend to be free of charge. The podacast on this site is free.

I've signed up to a podcast but I keep getting an error message. What's going wrong?

Please consult the documentation for your RSS aggregator to make sure that it is functioning correctly. If you suspect that it is a problem with the feed, try unsubscribing and resubscribing, as this will force the software to refresh the feed. If there is definitely a problem with the feed, the feed supplier will want to fix it, so try dropping them an email to let them know.

I've downloaded an mp3 file but I can't hear anything on my computer. What's going wrong?

Please make sure that you have installed all the correct software required to play audio and video files on your computer. Quicktime, Windows Media Player and RealPlayer are the most common formats around, and it is recommended that you install them for maximum convenience.

Podcast Software

Windows Podcast Software

  • @Podder - a free podcast client designed for the visually impaired.
  • AudioShell - freeware MS Windows Explorer shell extension plugin which allows you to view and edit music file tags directly in Windows Explorer.
  • BitsCast - freeware RSS/podcast reader that supports both iPods and Microsoft Media PlaysForSure devices.
  • BlogMatrix Sparks! - An all-in-one podcasting solution that lets you record, mix, share, publish, store and listen.
  • CITA RSS Aggregator - a RSS feed reader includes keyword alerts, support for password login, per-channel settings, proxy support, support for RSS enclosures (Podcasts) and a tool to remove persistent adverts from RSS feeds.
  • CustomReader - a customizable podcast client that can be "branded" to match a website.
  • Doppler - Doppler is a podcast aggregator. It's a tool to subscribe to RSS feeds which supply downloadable files. Doppler will go out and fetch the files enclosed in the RSS feed and will automatically add them to your preferred media player.
  • HappyFish -  free podcast client that will automatically sync podcasts to most mp3 players (and ipods too)
  • iPodderX - cross-platform media aggregator that handles podcasts, vlogs and other files distributed using newsfeeds.
  • iTunes - Apple has announced support for listening to podcasts within iTunes.
  • Juice - (formerly iPodder) Lets users select and download shows and music and to play whenever they want on their iPods, portable digital media players, or computers automatically.
  • Newzee - A feed reader that allows you to create your own news catalog from your preferred sources, that is automatically kept up to date with the latest headlines that are sent from the sources. Newzie features system tray notification (on feed updates), feed statistics, color coding, filtering, search, and support for enclosure (podcast) files.
  • NewzCrawler  -  news aggregator with built-in podcast receiver
  • nimiq - Nimiq is Windows podcasting client. Subscribe to a podcast and Nimiq automatically downloads audio and video enclosures. Subscribing is easy using the build in podcast directory browser. Download bittorrent files using the built-in bittorrent support.
  • Podcast Amp - free tool that lets you preview and play podcasts.
  • PodNova - offers a custom version of iPodder that supports OPML and integrates with the PodNova site.
  • Podsage - freeware podcast client with large directory of podcasts. Note: we've had a complaint about Podsage installing unwanted software, "a download manager and some kind of shopping program."
  • Podspider - podcast client with integrated podcast directory
  • Prime Time Podcast - features all in the same application an embedded media player, WMP/iTunes playlist support, Automatic AAC bookmarkable conversion for iTunes/iPod users, podcast directory browsing and media list browsing.
  • Replay Radio - lets you capture podcasts, broadcast radio shows and XM Radio.
  • RSSRadio - easy to use podcasting software for Windows.
  • Synclosure - Synclosure is a RSS aggregator to flexibly download files in enclosures. It supports filter keywords, custom actions and a caching mechanism. (Source code available for other platforms).
  • WinAmp - commercial audio app with free Lite option, supports podcasts
  • Yamipod - freeware application to efficiently manage your iPod under Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.
  • Ziepod - an easy-to-use toolkit to reach and manage audio-based content published through podcasts.

Macintosh Podcast Software

  • iPodderX - cross-platform media aggregator that handles podcasts, vlogs and other files distributed using newsfeeds.
  • iTunes - Apple has announced support for listening to podcasts within iTunes.
  • Juice - (formerly iPodder) lets users select and download shows and music and to play whenever they want on their iPods, portable digital media players, or computers automatically.
  • NewsFire - described as the Angelina Jolie of applications, NewsFire is news reader and podcast client. "David is an evil master of slick UI genius"
  • NetNewsWire - an RSS and Atom newsreader for Mac OS X. Its familiar three-paned interface-similar to Apple Mail-can fetch and display news from thousands of different websites and weblogs, making it quick and easy to keep up with the latest news.
  • NewsMacPro - OS X newsreader that supports podcasting & Palm and iPod sync.
  • Playpod - designed exclusively for Mac OS X.
  • Poddumfeeder - Applescript-based podcast client.
  • PodNova - offers a custom version of iPodder that supports OPML and integrates with the PodNova site.
  • PulpFiction - easy-to-use, powerful RSS/Atom feed reader. Featuring a familiar Mail-like interface, PulpFiction will fetch, organize, and display news and articles from thousands of weblogs and websites.
  • Yamipod - freeware application to efficiently manage your iPod under Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.

Linux/Unix Podcast Software

  • amaroK - music app and podcast client
  • BPConf -  a podcase downloader for KDE on Linux
  • gPodder - Podcast reciever/catcher written in Python, using GTK
  • Juice - (formerly iPodder) lets users select and download shows and music and to play whenever they want on their iPods, portable digital media players, or computers automatically.
  • Liferea - news aggregator for online news feeds, features podcast support.
  • Peapod - a podcast client for Linux. Supports HTTP and BitTorrent.
  • PenguinTV - RSS feed reader designed to work with podcasts and video blogs.
  • Podcast Maker - easy to use app that features drag and drop support
  • PodGrid - personal internet radio news receiver, podcast receiver.
  • Podracer - podcast aggregator/downloader. It supports BitTorrent, http and even ftp distribution of podcasts and runs best as a cron job to automatically retrieve podcasts throughout the day.
  • Rhythmbox - the music management application for GNOME
  • StreamTuned - plays and records audio and video streams using mplayer as backend, acts as a podcast client.
  • Yamipod - freeware application to efficiently manage your iPod under Mac OS X, Windows and Linux.

BeOS

  • http://www.tunetrackersystems.com/ - a radio automation system that features time-corrects, fades, exact-time starts, configurable silence-sensor, live network joins, live-assist for dj'ing, music-selection software, background (delayed broadcast) recording, a built-in streaming server for broadcasting over the Internet, unlimited format design, and a user-friendly control interface.

Java-Based Podcast Software

  • FeedPod - a Text-To-Speech RSS/ATOM Newsfeed reader.
  • jPodder - one of the first programs to be created for podcasting.

Pocket PC

  • FeederReader - a full-featured RSS aggregator with podcast enclosure support, running on Windows Mobile.

Amiga OS

  • AmiPodder - a utility that lets you to download podcasts to an Amiga, play it and, optionally, copy it onto a portable MP3 player.

RISC OS

  • spc - GPL'd podcast client. You need wget (cli), Perl and FrontEnder II. Use of the command line is possible.

Command Line

  • Armangil's Podcatcher -  Armangil's podcatcher is a podcast client for the command line. It provides several download strategies (new shows only, back-catalog allowed, etc), supports Bittorrent, offers cache management, and generates playlists for MP3 player applications. Windows, Linux (any OS supported by Ruby).
  • BashPodder - Bash-based podcast client that works on OS X, Solaris, AIX, Linux, Net Open and FreeBSD, even Windows.
  • Podget - a Bash script to automate the downloading of podcast content from RSS feeds, storing it in categories and folders, and automatically creating a playlist for new content. Compatible with Windows, OS X & Unix variants.

Perl

  • CastGrab - a podcast download application written in Perl, which can be run from a cron job.
  • PerlPod - used from the command line and written in perl. It checks if the pod has been downloaded, if not it gets the file.
  • w98podfetch -  is a PERL script for fetching podcasts. It has advanced features, like skipping any files older than a certain date, and limiting download options per feed such as "only download a maximum of 5 files at a time" or "don't download more than 25MB from this feed", etc.

PHP

  • Gregarius - a web-based RSS/RDF/ATOM feed aggregator, designed to run on your web server, allowing you to access your news sources from wherever you want.

Online Services

  • MirPod - podcast client with a "virtual iPod" interface.
  • PodFeeder - an online service for searching for and sharing podcasts.

List courtesy of Podcasting News