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View Full Version : Completely OT: Downloading mp3 vs. iPod help, please

Janna
03-04-2008, 03:30 PM
If something is listed as available to download for an mp3 player, does that mean it is NOT compatible with an iPod?

I want to download a broadcast, but it states directions to get it on your mp3 player. I have an iPod. There is no mention of this broadcast being a podcast. Is there a way I can download this into my iPod, or no? Am I only able to download into my iPod via iTunes?

Thank you for any help you can offer!
Janna
03-04-2008, 03:40 PM
OK, actually, I think I may have figured this out, but I'm still not sure.

I went to the iTunes store and opened the podcast store. I typed in to search the guy I'm wanting a podcast of and he was listed. So I clicked on him and I saw that I could "subscribe" to this radio show and have it automatically download (for free) after each segment is aired. Am I understanding this correctly? I can download the latest on-air broadcast everyday into my iPod for free? On this man's actualy website, he gives directions for downloading into an mp3 player for $.99, but that must be different downloads than his on-air program, right? Maybe?

I'm new to this...
Claire
03-04-2008, 03:42 PM
iPods use a different digital format than other MP3 players. Why you can get it for free through iTunes, I'm not sure. Maybe the guy has a contract with iTunes and figures it's good publicity for his website?
Cadam
03-04-2008, 03:44 PM
An iPod is just a brand of mp3 player. Download it into iTunes and you are fine. i know some radio hosts will let you have the first hour or two of their show free, but if you want the whole thing it costs slightly. There are many many free podcasts so yes it's true, just click the button.

The iPod is no more exclusive in format than a Zune or anything else. It is really the music companies that freak out about people copying music that force the mp3 player makers to have encryption and just like Microsoft, and Sony , Apple won't tell everyone what their encryption algorithm is. That would be opening themselves up for hackers exc. Apple would want to mess with their reputation for secure products and the music companies are just starting to open their rules.
Janna
03-04-2008, 03:49 PM
Hmm...I was under the impression mp3 was the Microsoft brand, while iPod was the Apple brand?

But either way, you can download things into iTunes from another source and put it on whichever player you have? Wow, I had no idea....
Mrs Mungo
03-04-2008, 03:58 PM
Hmm...I was under the impression mp3 was the Microsoft brand, while iPod was the Apple brand?

Actually, iPods use mp4s instead of mp3s. It's just a little bit different format. More than you need to know about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mp4

But either way, you can download things into iTunes from another source and put it on whichever player you have? Wow, I had no idea....

If you drag and drop things into iTunes it will convert them into MP4s for you. You can use iTunes to convert songs into mp3s as well but there are some restrictions to what it will let you do.

eta: yes, there are tons of free podcasts out there, even ones that are fitness music and such.