What is Podcasting?

The term podcasting is derived from broadcasting and iPod / Music platforms.

The aim of podcasting is to create audio content from radio for an audience who wants to listen on the go, wherever and whenever they like.

Podcasting is the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs or music video, over the Internet using either RSS or Atom syndication to listen on mobile devices and personal computers.

Websites using the Podcast technology will offer the subscription to their audio feeds to automatically deliver new content when the user connects later to the Podcast; this is what distinguishes a Podcast from a simple download to real-time streaming and audio on demand. Typically, a podcast features one "show" with new episodes either sporadically or at planned intervals such as daily, weekly, etc... In addition to this, there are podcast networks that feature multiple shows on the same feed.

To summarize, the essence of Podcasting is about creating content (audio or video) for people who wants to listen when, where, and how they like.

What do I need to Podcast ?

1. Hardware

From a Podcast feed, you will download MP3 files for each "new title" and all you need to play it is a media player installed on your computer (to use at home) and a portable MP3 player (for mobile use).

You will find three types of MP3 portable storage devices:

- USB Flash keys (small and lightweight but the memory space is limited as well as the battery life)
- MP3 players with tiny built-in Hard Disk Drive such as the iPod™, Creative, Rio, Archos, etc.
- Specialized portable storage including with built-in memory or memory card slots ( ie Xs-Drive Centre 6900)

2. Software to install on your computer

- Podcast receiver

In order to download and listen to internet audio programs or music feeds, you need to select the radio and the content/feeds of interest, and you may even set the schedule for future feeds.

You can select your favourites radios from their official web site, or subscribe to radio guides which will suggest for you a pre-selection based upon keywords, ie sport, art, politics, jazz, rock, classic, techno, etc...

So the Podcast receiver will let you manage, download and organize your podcast files onto your computer, and then copy the downloaded MP3 feeds to play whenever you want on your portable MP3 player.

We supply our selected free Podcast receiver called Juice to use with the Xs-Drive MP3, which you can download by clicking here.

This software will not use a lot of your computer memory resources as it is dedicated to Podcast features contrary to other Podcast software offering as well media player, online radio playback, etc...

- File Explorer interface

You simply need to use the File Explorer interface from your Operating System (ie Windows Explorer for Windows OS) to organize, copy or delete files from your computer onto your MP3 Player.

Which Xs-Drive products support Podcasting?

The Xs-Drive Centre and Xs-Drive Box Series combines Podcasting, MP3 music playback and digital imaging back up from your memory cards.