Podcast - FAQ

What is a "podcast"?

According to Wikipedia, “A podcast is a digital media file, or a series of such files, that is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and personal computers.”

A podcast is a specific type of webcast which, like 'radio', can refer to either the content itself or the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The term "podcast" is a portmanteau of the name of Apple's portable music player, the iPod, and broadcast; a "pod" refers to the iPod, and "cast" to the idea of broadcasting. In other words, a podcast is a collection of files (usually audio and/or video) residing at a unique web feed address.

People can "subscribe" to this feed by submitting the feed address to an aggregator or podcatcher (like iTunes - software that runs on the consumer's computer). When new "episodes" become available in the podcast they will be automatically downloaded to that user's computer. Unlike radio or streaming content on the web, podcasts are not real-time. The material is pre-recorded and users can check out the material at their leisure, offline. Though podcasters' web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically, using an aggregator or feed reader capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom.

Podcasting is a way of using your computer to automatically download audio shows to your iPod, media player, or right to your desktop. It's an exciting alternative to radio, because you choose what shows you want to listen to, and when and where you want to hear them.

How do I get started?

Getting started with podcasting is easy. All you need is a computer with an Internet link and a media player (you do not have to have an iPod in order to listen to a podcast).

Here are two easy options for listening to our podcasts:

If you already have iTunes installed on your computer, click here to start listening to our podcast using iTunes.*

If you do not have iTunes* installed on your computer, click here to download and install iTunes on your computer.

*iTunes is a free download for both Windows and MAC users and does NOT require an iPod. (Note: You must be using iTunes 4.9 or higher to podcast).

iTunes

Step 1: Download and Install iTunes

Download the latest version of the iTunes application by clicking here. iTunes will walk you through installing the application.

Step 2: Subscribing to the podcast on iTunes

Now that you have installed iTunes the hard part is over. The next step is to subscribe to the Life Baptist Church Podcast.

Click here to start subscribing to the Life Baptist Church Podcast.

The following picture will come up:

After you have clicked "yes," iTunes will automatically subscribe you to the Life Baptist Church Podcast and automatically download the most recent podcast. The screen will look similar to this:

Once you click on the arrow/traingle next to Life Baptist Church, you can see a list of available podcasts from Life. Select "Get" for any podcast you would like and iTunes will automatically download it for you:

iPodder

To automatically sync files to your iPod, you'll need to use a podcast client. iPodder is a free client available for Mac OS X, Windows & Linux. This tutorial shows you how to download iPodder and configure it so you can sync shows to your iPod.

Step 1: Installing iPodder

Download the latest version of the application by clicking on the link or by clicking on the appropriate image below.

Select the right platform and you'll be taken to page where you can choose a download location. Select the closest server to download from:

Once the download is complete, find the iPodder installer and open it.

This will open the iPodder installer and install.

Step 2: Using iPodder

Open iPodder from Start or the desktop icon. There will be a couple of "feeds" or PodCast set up by default. Feeds are text descriptions of podcast shows, and they give iPodder the information it needs to know when new podcast's are available. 

Add New Feed - When you clicked the "Add New Feed" button you should have noticed a window pop up that which is the "Feed Properties" window where you will ad the URL location to the sermons feed. Copy and paste the link below into the URL area of the "Feed Properties" window and press the save button.

Link: http://www.lifebaptistchurch.org/Podcasts/LifeBaptistChurch.xml

Pod Receiver - When you click the save button the window will close and you will notice in the "Podcast receiver" window a subscription to our "Life Baptist Church" podcast. You will want to click on this subscription. Once you have clicked on the "Life Baptist Church" link you will notice that multiple options will appear in the "Episode" window. Now, check the sermons you would like to download.

Check Selected Feed - Now that you have checked the sermons you would like downloaded, press the "Check Selected Feed" button. Now the file will begin to download and be placed in the "Downloads" section.

Downloads Section - You will then see the episodes that have been downloaded.

Step 3: Sync & Go

When iPodder is done downloading, it will create a playlist in iTunes, listing the podcast's you've downloaded. It will be named with the feed's name, making it easier to keep your podcast's organized. Click on the play button, and you can check out the podcast right on your computer.

I click on the “iTunes Subscribe” link and nothing happens.

To subscribe with iTunes, you need version 4.9 or above of iTunes. Download Link, it’s free.

Can I use a Podcast reader other than iTunes?

Yes. You may use any podcast capable RSS reader. For a list of Podcast capable RSS readers for Windows, Mac, and Linux click here.
Life’s Audio Podcast RSS feed is:
http://www.lifebaptistchurch.org/Podcasts/LifeBaptistChurch.xml

Do I need an iPod to listen to the files?

No. Podcasts can be listened to on your computer or any portable player that supports mp3 – syndicated files (Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, WinAMP, etc.). However, the iPod integration with iTunes works in perfect harmony.

How many episodes of the Podcast will be available?

We have all sermons beginning with January 2007 available for download. A CD quality copy of each sermon can be purchased either individually or in sets at our resource table or purchase order requests can be made by contacting our resource table coordinator at resources@lifebaptistchurch.com. Be sure to include the title of the sermon, the date, the amount of copies you need, and whether or not you would like to purchase a set.

Can I burn a CD of the Podcast?

As long as it’s not for resale or profit, you can burn the podcast to a CD.

How frequently will you update?

Updates will be available weekly.

What format is the Podcast available in?

The audio podcast is encoded in MP3 format. For those curious about our settings, we encode at around 32kbps using MPEG Layer 3 Audio, which translates to Variable Bit Rate Low, Stereo, High.

I am interested to know more about God.

Contact us or come visit our worship service in Las Vegas, NV.

Can I use this material for my own ministry?

All copyright belongs to Paul Gotthardt (or other preaching pastors featured on our podcast) and Life Baptist Church, Inc. Please ask for permission and do not abuse a good thing.