1. What is the difference between downloading a podcast episode and subscribing to a podcast?
   
2. What is iTunes™?
   
3. I do not want to subscribe. Where do I find individual podcast episodes to download?
   
4. How do I download one podcast episode at a time?
   
5. I've downloaded an MP3, but I can't hear anything. Why?
   
6. How do I unsubscribe from a podcast?
   
7. Why isn't my favorite show available as a podcast?
   
8. Why don't you podcast Afghanada?
   
9. I'm trying to figure out what I was listening to last Sunday at noon (or whenever) so I can figure out if there's a podcast for the show. Where do I start?
   
10. Why don't you podcast Beethoven's Symphonies along with the conversations about them in the Radio 2: Beethoven's Nine Symphonies in Nine Days series?
    
11. Why don't you podcast Vinyl Tap?
    
12. How come the podcast versions of shows sound different than they do on the radio?
    
13. I'm looking for something that's a bit older than what you have posted here. Where can I find it?
    
14. I've got some comments about the podcasts.
    Who do I send them to?
    
15. My new iPod crashes every time I download a CBC podcast - and my old mp3 player had no problems.
    
16. I can access and download podcasts using my cellular phone's podcasting application. Is there a directory of CBC podcasts I can use to browse them on my phone?
    
17. I recently downloaded the new OS 4.0 for my iPhone and now I can't download some CBC Radio podcasts. What changed?
18. What is Feedburner™ ?
19. What is blip.tv?
20. I use Juice™ and recently started having trouble with your podcasts - what is going on?
21. I'm looking for your live online Radio streams. Where can I find those?

1. What is the difference between downloading a podcast and subscribing to a podcast?

   When you download a single podcast episode, that one file gets saved onto your computer or MP3 player. It is then up to you to play it, delete it or download another.

   When you subscribe to a podcast, the latest podcast episode is saved to your computer or MP3 player. Every time a new podcast episode of the program becomes available your podcasting software will automatically download it to your computer or MP3 player.

   Please Note: CBC's Podcasting site is optimized for Internet Explorer, Mozilla FireFox and Apple's Safari.

   back to top

   
   
2. What is iTunes™ ?

   iTunes™ is a program created by Apple that, among other things, is a podcatcher or aggregator.

   An aggregator or podcatcher is a program that will check for new podcasts every time you are connected to the web and that program is open. Many people use iTunes™ to subscribe to and manage their podcasts, but there are many other podcatchers out there.

   Here are just a few of the many other choices in free podcatching software available:
   
   Juice ---> Download Juice

   Feedburner

   Doppler ---> Download Doppler

   back to top

3. I do not want to subscribe.
   Where do I find individual podcasts to download?

Head to the show's podcast section via the Quick Links on the right side of the page and click on the show name. Click on the show’s "Download the latest mp3" link. Once you’re on that show’s xml page, in Firefox you'll see in the grey box under the segment description, there is a blue link to that episode’s mp3. In Internet Explorer,  the blue link is under the description next to an icon that looks like a set of headphones. Right click and go to "Save Target as …" (Internet Explorer) "Save link as …" (Firefox) on a PC, or "Download Linked File" (Safari – Mac) and save it to computer. Then you can transfer it to your mp3 player or play it on your computer.

NOTE: The blue download links don't not display properly in Chrome. Frustrating I know.

back to top

4. How do I download one podcast at a time?
   
   For PC users:

   1. Before you start downloading, you may want to create a folder on your desktop where you can save and store all your CBC podcasts.

   2. When you are ready to start downloading, right-click on the link for the podcast file. After right-clicking you will see a menu of options, including one that says, "Save target as" or "Save link as." If you select one of these "save" options, and then pick a location on your computer's hard drive where you would like to store the file your computer should start to download the podcast.

   For Mac users:

   1. Before you start downloading, you may want to create a folder on your desktop where you can save and store all your CBC podcasts.

   2. When you are ready to start downloading hold down the Control (ctrl) key while using your mouse to click on the download link. When the option menu appears, choose "Download link to disk" or "Download linked file." If you select one of the "download options, and then pick a location on your computer's hard drive where you would like to store the file, your computer should start to download the podcast.

   back to top

5. I've downloaded an MP3, but I can't hear anything. Why?

   If you are having difficulty hearing a podcast please check the following:

   • Does your computer have a soundcard?
     If you have ever listened to music or heard sounds coming out of your speakers, then you have a soundcard.
     
     
   • Are your speakers properly connected and on?
     
     
   • Do you have a media player?
     You can download a free media player such as Windows Media Player, or iTunes or RealPlayer.
     
     
   • Is the volume control set properly on your computer and speakers?
     

   back to top

6. How do I unsubscribe from a podcast?

   We can not control subscriptions or unsubscribe you from a podcast. The subscription process takes place on your aggregator (iTunes, Juice, etc.).
   
   Please refer to the help/support notes of your particular aggregator.
   
   For iTunes, find the podcast in your Podcasts list and select the 'Unsubscribe' button in the lower left-hand side of the screen.
   
   For Juice, select the podcast in your list and select the red circle/white 'x' button.

   back to top

7. Why isn't my favorite show available as a podcast?

   We would love to be able to put every CBC Radio show online, but there are costs associated with the capture and delivery of audio that force us to be selective. Every month we take a look at our podcast roster and talk about other shows we would like to add, but we must always be cognizant of the costs. If you want to know the latest goings-on in CBC Podcasting, subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll make sure to let you know what our latest offerings are!

   back to top

8. Why don't you podcast Afghanada?

   We are thrilled to have recently worked together with several Unions to gain the rights to podcast some of our drama and comedy Radio shows, but we are still working out how to best offer the programming. Because there is a cost associated with podcasting comedy or drama, this is a decision we cannot take lightly, but we are discussing it and hope to be able to offer more of our programming very soon.

   back to top

9. I'm trying to figure out what I was listening to last Sunday at noon (or whenever) so I can figure out if there's a podcast for the show. Where do I start?

   The best place for you to start is to have a look at our program guide.

   back to top

10. Why don't you podcast Beethoven's Symphonies along with the conversations about them in the Radio 2: Beethoven's Nine Symphonies in Nine Days series?

    Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to freely distribute downloadable content (for example, podcasts) featuring Beethoven's Symphonies.

back to top

11. Why don't you podcast Vinyl Tap?

    We're restricted from podcasting most music due to copyright issues. Vinyl Tap might get a little skimpy without the music!

    back to top

12. How come the podcast versions of shows sound different than they do on the radio?

    This is a different medium! So we're trying something new while still working hard to retain the incredible content of our CBC Radio programming.

    Rights issues prevent us from including commercially available music in our podcasts; however, we are able to offer songs by unsigned artists and music that we have cleared for podcasting use, so you will hear some music in our podcasts.
    

    back to top

13. I'm looking for something that's a bit older than what you have posted here. Where can I find it?

    We keep podcast episodes available for a standard four weeks or one month. Certain programs have special permission to keep their episodes online longer and other shows have their episodes available for less time.

    For the most part, we've implemented this limitation on downloads to keep our bandwidth costs down. If you're looking for something specific, contact us and we may be able to set you up with your own episode of the Listener's Choice podcast!
    

    back to top

14. I've got some comments about the podcasts.
    Who do I send them to?

    If you want to comment about something you heard on a specific podcast/show, go to that show's program web page and use the Contact Us link there to send them your comments directly. If you have feedback or questions about this podcasting trial, please contact us.

15. My new iPod crashes every time I download a CBC podcast - and my old mp3 player had no problems.

    According to Apple, the latest generation of iPods, has issues (like crashing their iPods, or just not playing CBC Podcasts) with our encoding rate (which is at 44.1KHz - broadcast quality).
    
    This is a link to the Apple website Support page that describes the problem and their solution:
    And this is their recommended solution:
    
    
    " Customers who experience this symptom can in most cases avoid the it by turning off the equalizer on the iPod by navigating from the Main menu to Settings > EQ > Off."
    

16. I can access and download podcasts using my cellular phone's podcasting application. Is there a directory of CBC podcasts I can use to browse them on my phone?

Yes! We've created an outline which is accessible to many cellular phones enabled to browse and download podcasts. The procedures vary from unit to unit but the outline is accessible via the link "http://www.cbc.ca/podcasts.opml" (no quotations).



17. I recently downloaded the new OS 4.0 for my iPhone and now I can't seem to download some CBC Radio podcasts. What's changed?"

We've notified our contacts at iTunes about this problem. The new operating system for the iPhone is having trouble accessing some podcasts, specifically those released in enhanced podcast format (such as m4a's). They assure us that their engineering department is working on the problem. Helpfully this problem will be resolved with the next update to the OS.


18. What is Feedburner?

According to their website, "FeedBurner makes it easy to receive content updates in popular podcatchers." In a nutshell, the Feedburner site allows you to grab your podcast in whatever podcatcher you like - from Yahoo, to Google, to NetVibes to Fireant and many more.

Currently we are trying Editor's Choice, and Search Engine out on it, but if there is good feedback from our listeners, we will add the rest of our podcasts as well!


19. What is blip.tv?

According to their website, blip.tv's mission "is to support these people by taking care of all the problems a budding videoblogger, podcaster or Internet TV producer tends to run into." The service can be used to host media (like videoblogs and podcasts), and you can stream (watch or listen to) the content online without downloading it to your hard drive.



20. I use Juice™ and recently started having trouble with your podcasts - what is going on?

We recently made some behind-the-scene changes to our CBC Radio podcasts that seem to have affected at least one podcatcher - the Juice Aggregator. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, but thanks to a suggestion from one of our podcast listeners - a Mr. Mike Kennedy - we have a work-around that seems to solve this issue. We've heard from non-Juice users as well and we are hoping that this solution works for them, too.

If anyone out there needs more help with this, please feel free to e-mail us back!

NOTE: Making this change will affect all of your other podcasts in that they will also begin downloading to this new folder, rather than the default folder they were going to before; however, it should in no way affect your ability to listen and enjoy.

Here's what you do:
For PC users:

1. Access your 'C:\' drive via 'My Computer'.
2. Create a new folder. You can call it what you like, but our suggestion would be to call it 'Podcasts'.
3. Open Juice.
4. Select 'Preferences...' under your 'File' menu.
5. Towards the bottom of the window, you should see a field labeled 'Download podcasts into this folder'. Remove the current information in the field and type in 'C:\Podcasts' or 'C:\name' (whatever name you gave to the new folder).
6. Press Save.

For Mac users:

1. Create a new folder on your desktop. You can call it what you like, but our suggestion would be to call it 'Podcasts'.
2. Open up Juice.
3. Select 'Preferences...' under your 'File' menu.
4. Towards the bottom of the window, you should see a field labeled 'Download podcasts into this folder'. Remove the current information in the field and type in 'Users/Username/Desktop/Podcasts' or 'Users/Username/Desktop/name' (whatever name you gave to the new folder).
5. Press Save.


21. I'm looking for your live online Radio streams. Where can I find those?

We keep all the information and links you'll need to listen to CBC Radio online on our Listen page.

back to top