iPod and Podcast Advice

[gottimd]

I am relatively new to this stuff, and I am in the market for I believe an ipod specifically for Podcast usage. Let me explain and I hope someone can either tell me a good device to get or a cheaper alternative.

My commute is about to be extended by 40 Minutes via metro that is underground, so the radio will not work, and I am not much of a reader so getting a book is out of the question. In the car in my current commute, I listen to the Sports Junkies every morning and I found a site with Podcasts of their shows. What I was hoping to do, is to buy something where I can download there shows on a daily basis and listen to them while I ride the metro.

Is the ipod my only option? If so, how do podcasts work and what ipod should I get? Sorry fro the noob questions, I just don't want to buy something unnecessary and expensive.

[terpkristin]

I am relatively new to this stuff, and I am in the market for I believe an ipod specifically for Podcast usage. Let me explain and I hope someone can either tell me a good device to get or a cheaper alternative.

My commute is about to be extended by 40 Minutes via metro that is underground, so the radio will not work, and I am not much of a reader so getting a book is out of the question. In the car in my current commute, I listen to the Sports Junkies every morning and I found a site with Podcasts of their shows. What I was hoping to do, is to buy something where I can download there shows on a daily basis and listen to them while I ride the metro.

Is the ipod my only option? If so, how do podcasts work and what ipod should I get? Sorry fro the noob questions, I just don't want to buy something unnecessary and expensive.

What format are the Sports Junkies podcasts in? If they're in AAC format (*.m4a or *.m4p), then an iPod is your main option. It's possible to convert AAC to other formats, but it's kind of a pain in the butt. If the podcasts are in mp3 format, then any mp3 player would work.

Would you only use this device for podcasts? Or would you want to put more music onto it and such? If it's really going to be podcast-only (i.e. you don't forsee getting any books on mp3 or putting any of a music collection on it), almost any mp3 player will work.

For just a standard, small mp3 player, the Samsung YEPP YP-T7X (512MB) (http://reviews.cnet.com/Samsung_YEPP_YP_T7X_512MB/4505-6490_7-31278883.html?tag=topprods) player has gotten good reviews and can be found for a good price. There is also a 256 MB version. There is also the Creative MuVo TX FM (256MB, White) (http://reviews.cnet.com/Creative_MuVo_TX_FM_256MB_White/4505-6490_7-30906242.html?tag=topprods) that has gotten decent reviews, and also I'd suggest looking at some of the smaller capacity iRiver products.

If you want to do lots of music storage, then I'd recommend an iPod, the size of which depends on your music collection.

Hopefully that helps.
/tk

[terpkristin]

Dola,
The iRiver products can be found at http://www.iriveramerica.com/

The ultra portables are what I was thinking for your uses, http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/

/tk

[Daimyo]

Download iTunes and see if the podcasts you want are there. If they are iPod will be the easy choice because iTunes will handle downloading new episodes and all that automatically and youll just have to plug it in everynight to get them copied over. If the podcasts you want are not in iTunes, you won't have much advantage going with an iPod other than the superiority of the device itself.

[cthomer5000]

Download iTunes and see if the podcasts you want are there. If they are iPod will be the easy choice because iTunes will handle downloading new episodes and all that automatically and youll just have to plug it in everynight to get them copied over. If the podcasts you want are not in iTunes, you won't have much advantage going with an iPod other than the superiority of the device itself.

you can have iTunes manage the downloads of any "podcast" that have an RSS feed, even those not listed in the podcasts in the iTunes store.

[Daimyo]

you can have iTunes manage the downloads of any "podcast" that have an RSS feed, even those not listed in the podcasts in the iTunes store.
I never actually tried that, just going off a friend of mine telling me he had a lot of trouble getting that to work.

[cthomer5000]

I never actually tried that, just going off a friend of mine telling me he had a lot of trouble getting that to work.

It's incredibly easy.

[Northwood_DK]

It works just fine for me

[Dr. Sak]

If you like college football you can check out the podcast that Me, Swaggs, EasyMac, and vtbub do. The link is in my sig.

[Easy Mac]

If you like college football you can check out the podcast that Me, Swaggs, EasyMac, and vtbub do. The link is in my sig.

if i ever got invited back i would reccomend it :tear: i guess the fcc probably complained about my liberal use of the f-bomb. j/k.

[gottimd]

So, if I was to get the 2GB Ipod Nano to listen to the Junkies in the morning on the metro, I found this:

http://1067freefm.com/pages/podcast/51.rss

So each night, when I get home I connect my Ipod to my laptop and have it download the days broadcast? Is 2GB too much? I probably will have songs on there, but only 100-200 songs probably.

[Antmeister]

So, if I was to get the 2GB Ipod Nano to listen to the Junkies in the morning on the metro, I found this:

http://1067freefm.com/pages/podcast/51.rss

So each night, when I get home I connect my Ipod to my laptop and have it download the days broadcast? Is 2GB too much? I probably will have songs on there, but only 100-200 songs probably.

Uh...believe me, 2GB is never too much. You may end up upgrading to something bigger in the future because you will find out about all the free podcasts, podiobooks and music that is available.

[gottimd]

Uh...believe me, 2GB is never too much. You may end up upgrading to something bigger in the future because you will find out about all the free podcasts, podiobooks and music that is available.

Maybe I splurge an extra $50 and go to 4GB. Unless I see that that Video 30GB one is small enough to carry on a metro.

[Celeval]

Maybe I splurge an extra $50 and go to 4GB. Unless I see that that Video 30GB one is small enough to carry on a metro.

It absolutely is. I got a 30GB video for my birthday and rarely leave the house without it.

[wade moore]

gottimd - totally missed this thread first time around...

I think the junkies are only in aac format... I checked junkiesradio.com because I know on donandmikewebsite.com they have it in a format that windows media player will show.

Either way, I would go iPod.. I would warn you though, both junkies and D&M are a bit slow in updating their podcasts... so don't necessarily expect to be able to listen to the previous day's highlights.

[gottimd]

Thanks Wade and everybody.

Wade, I did see that they are running a week behind or so, but I'm sure that will be enough to keep me occupied. I may have to PM yo uwhen I make the final decision on the purchase and ask instructions on getting both D&M and SJ podcasts.

The thing I worry about if I get a 30GB video is that it will be harder to conceal. I would like something that could fit in a jacket pocket, but also, if on a flight or something I can watch a video (added plus for the 30GB video). I don't want to be riding the metro with a huge video contraption in my hand where anyone can just rip it out of my hands and run.

[Daimyo]

I have a 60GB video iPod that I listen to on the train every day... its definitely small enough to fit in a coat pocket or the front pocket on a pair of pants if you don't have keys or something else there and the 30GB iPod is even thinner.

I started with a 4GB Mini in January and upgraded to the 60GB in October or so. When i started I had maybe 1GB or so of music digitized and just this week I had to start culling my collection to get it to fit on the 60GB. Its amazing how much more digital content you acquire when you have a device that makes it so easy. if you have a TiVo definitely go with the video iPod... there is software called Tivo Autopilot that will automatically download shows from yout TiVo and convert them to iPod format.

[wade moore]

Thanks Wade and everybody.

Wade, I did see that they are running a week behind or so, but I'm sure that will be enough to keep me occupied. I may have to PM yo uwhen I make the final decision on the purchase and ask instructions on getting both D&M and SJ podcasts.

The thing I worry about if I get a 30GB video is that it will be harder to conceal. I would like something that could fit in a jacket pocket, but also, if on a flight or something I can watch a video (added plus for the 30GB video). I don't want to be riding the metro with a huge video contraption in my hand where anyone can just rip it out of my hands and run.

NP with D&M and SJ stuff, I can help ya out...

As for the size of the iPod... I'm trying to think of something a similar size for reference...

it is a slight bit smaller than your standard PDA... umm... maybe a slight bit smaller than a cassette tape? It can definately fit in a pocket, unless it is a tiny pocket... I fit it in my cargo pants pocket (not the cargo pocket, but the normal pocket) comfortably, but a pear of work pants probably would fit, but not very comfortably... a jacket definately...

The other option is to get the little sport cover thing I have where you can either put it on a belt, or strap it via your arm... The arm thing would work no matter what you're wearing and make it basically impossible to steal. I think it cost like $30-$40 at Best Buy.

[Celeval]

As for the size of the iPod... I'm trying to think of something a similar size for reference...

My 30GB is slightly longer than, the same width as, and a good bit thinner than a deck of cards.

[gottimd]

if you have a TiVo definitely go with the video iPod... there is software called Tivo Autopilot that will automatically download shows from yout TiVo and convert them to iPod format.

SOLD!!! I have to get the 30GB Video then. I have TiVo as well. This may also help as I can argue this with the wife and say "Honey, now on those long drives to NY, you can download episodes of Oprah and watch them on the iPod as I drive, so instead of nagging me about how fast I am driving, you can just sit back and watch your House Frau show and leave me alone!"

[wade moore]

I have a 60GB video iPod that I listen to on the train every day... its definitely small enough to fit in a coat pocket or the front pocket on a pair of pants if you don't have keys or something else there and the 30GB iPod is even thinner.

I started with a 4GB Mini in January and upgraded to the 60GB in October or so. When i started I had maybe 1GB or so of music digitized and just this week I had to start culling my collection to get it to fit on the 60GB. Its amazing how much more digital content you acquire when you have a device that makes it so easy. if you have a TiVo definitely go with the video iPod... there is software called Tivo Autopilot that will automatically download shows from yout TiVo and convert them to iPod format.

Has the TiVO function been released, or are you talking about a 3rd party software?

[Daimyo]

One caveat... i'm not sure if or how well it works with DirecTv TiVos as mine is standalone. It works great for standalones especially with HBO stuff that is commercial free.

[Daimyo]

Has the TiVO function been released, or are you talking about a 3rd party software?
Third party. TiVo Autopilot does the TiVo stuff (also converts to PSP and other formats)... I believe the more generic software it relies on is called Videophora or something like that and that can convert DVDs or any other video format to iPod.

[gottimd]

Is that the same thing as TiVo-2-go? Where I can download the shows onto my laptop?

[wade moore]

Is that the same thing as TiVo-2-go? Where I can download the shows onto my laptop?

I'm assuming it makes use of that...

But TiVO is going to come up with their own software that does the same thing, but it hasn't been completed yet. There's will make use of Tivo2Go.

[Daimyo]

Its like TiVo-to-go and relies on the same stuff (did you know you can also get stuff off yout TiVo via an internal web server without any extra software - and if you configure your router can even access it from anywhere in the world?) so if TiVo-to-go works for you this will work too no doubt. its better than TiVo-to-go though IMO. Autopilot you can set rules and schedules and it will automatically download your stuff. You could say check for, download and convert every episode of Sorpranos at 1am and it will do it without needing any manual input from you (you still have to copy the file into iTunes, but I think they're working on that).

[gottimd]

Its like TiVo-to-go and relies on the same stuff (did you know you can also get stuff off yout TiVo via an internal web server without any extra software - and if you configure your router can even access it from anywhere in the world?) so if TiVo-to-go works for you this will work too no doubt. its better than TiVo-to-go though IMO. Autopilot you can set rules and schedules and it will automatically download your stuff. You could say check for, download and convert every episode of Sorpranos at 1am and it will do it without needing any manual input from you (you still have to copy the file into iTunes, but I think they're working on that).

Do you have any info or a site I can go to to learn how to set this up?

[Swaggs]

if i ever got invited back i would reccomend it :tear: i guess the fcc probably complained about my liberal use of the f-bomb. j/k.

I still think that Ron is holding out on the missing Holiday episode. That baby needs uncovered and released.

[Daimyo]

Here is the site for autopilot:
http://www.tvharmony.com/main/products.php
Probably can find a lot of other into via google and google groups.

For the web server stuff you can test it out from your home network with any web browser by typing in "https://<tivo's IP address>" for the URL. If asked for a u/w i think its admin/<Media Access Number>. Once you log in you will see all your shows and they're linkable to download. To get access from outside your home network you'll have to configure a Virtual IP (different vendors may use different terminology) that maps port 443 on your external IP to the TiVo's IP address. Note that downloading stuff from yout TiVo from outside your home network is most likely going to be incredibly slow.