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Considering that I was discussing Kinoma Player 4 EX and how great it was for podcasts, it seems logical that I would discuss podcasts and how it relates to Kinoma Player 4 EX or any other media player for that matter on your portable device. So, I’d strongly suggest reading the Kinoma Player 4 EX review to get an idea of what the program does and how it streams or plays podcasts or videocasts. Again, I have a video review of the program to show the podcasts and videocasts so it’s much easier to understand what podcasts are and why they are so popular.

Before I start talking about finding podcasts, I think I should at least explain what podcasts are so we have an idea what we’re talking about.

What are Podcasts?

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. The term, like “radio”, can refer either to the content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. (taken from this Wikipedia page)

To explain it in more simpler terms, a podcast is a media file that can be audio and/or video that can be downloaded on the internet through newsfeeds that most of us may know as rss (Really Simple Syndication) or similar type (atom, xml, etc) feeds. Basically, we subscribe to certain podcast feeds with our newsfeed reader or aggregator (ie. like Bloglines, Newsgator, Google Reader or others) and when we click on the link to the podcast, we will either be taken to the link where we can start listening to the media file or download it to our computer or device.

The main difference between a podcast and a simple link to a media file is that through the use of newsfeed readers/aggregators and podcatcher programs, we can have access to a list of them and download them in a batch rather than individually if we have the necessary software programs that can automate this process. So, in other words, podcasts can be quite a timesaver. We can download all the podcasts we subscribe to before we head out the door on our way to work and enjoy them during the commute. Or, simply just listen to them on the computer whenever we want.

There are so many varieties of topics available, with new ones coming up each day. A lot of them are just created by people who love to talk about whatever it is they want to talk about. Some are very professionally made, while others are obviously done at home. You can get lots of news podcasts from mainstream media sites like CNN, Bloomberg, NPR, NYT, WSJ, learn a new language, view and listen to new artists and lots of other topics that you probably haven’t even heard of. You may be surprised about how many podcasts there are out there. Just check my Kinoma Player 4 EX review for a list of media streams and podcasts that the Kinoma Media Guide lists as well as my thoughts on podcasts and why I find them invaluable. (I use a lot of the language podcasts extremely wonderful).

Hopefully, you’ve gotten a better idea of what podcasts are. Now, onto how to find podcasts.

Where to find podcasts?

The easiest way to find podcasts is to first get Apple’s iTunes. iTunes is probably the best and most popular source of podcasts since iTunes already has an extensive collection of music, TV and videos that they sell, but also offer a vast collection of podcasts. Due to its sheer size as an online media store offering both free and paid content, iTunes is the obvious choice for both consumers and media content suppliers. If it’s popular and even if it’s not popular, it’s likely on iTunes.

So, first of all, download and install iTunes. The program is free. There is a media player embedded in the program so once you have some media downloaded, you can play them inside the iTunes program, or you can exit out of it and play it with your preferred media player. It’s up to you.

Run iTunes. Click on the iTunes STORE located on the left near the top.

Click on the Podcasts button on the left (view picture above by clicking on the thumbnail image).

Select the category you are interested in (view picture above by clicking on the thumbnail image). The list of categories is listed under CATEGORIES on the left. Or, you can also click on any of the featured podcasts on the page if they interest you. You will be taken to a page with more information on the particular podcast of videocast with the previous files available and a subscription button. You can either click on the “Get episode” button to download individual files, or subscribe to the entire podcast.

You can also search for a specific topic using iTune’s search bar, located near the top right hand corner.

Besides iTunes, you can also find a lot of different podcast directories that lists many different podcasts available. Keep in mind that some may be quite outdated and some podcasts are no longer available. Check out this list at the Wikipedia.

GigaDial

PodNova

podSafe

Podcast Pickle

Podcast Alley

Podcasting Station

Yahoo! Podcasts

BTPodShow

And I can’t mention podcasting and podcasts without mentioning Adam Curry, the guy who started the whole podcasting craze way back. Check out Indiepodder.org for a listing of podcasts. Some of them are old and may no longer be around but you may find some gems.

PodCast Directory

For the techies and technology enthusiasts, check out Tech Podcast Network

For those in the UK, check out Podcast Nation

For German viewers and speakers, here’s a Podcast directory from Podcast.de

The other way is to simply search for “podcast” plus the topic you wish in Google and see what results come up. Or, simply check out your favorite websites or news sites and see if they offer a podcast. Nowadays, practically, everyone offers a podcast (well, except me, since this site takes up too much of my time already. Besides I hate being in the spotlight).

That is the end of the first part of the How To Series on Podcasts. We will next discuss how to Download Podcasts in Part 2.

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