What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is a method of publishing audio and video files to the Internet that permits users to either be notified when they are available or have the files automatically downloaded to their computer for later use. The files can then be downloaded onto an MP3 or video player (such as an iPod) or left on your computer for listening or viewing at a later time.

In CPC's case, if you subscribe to our podcasts, you will receive notice of our sermons weekly, in audio and video formats. You can choose to save them to your computer automatically, or only download them when there is something you would like to watch or listen to.

To receive podcasts on your computer, download free podcasting software (see below for a list) and then subscribe to a podcast. Once you subscribe, your computer will notify you or automatically download the files every time a new podcast episode is available.

Do I need to own an iPod?

No! This is a common misconception. You do not need an iPod or other portable MP3 player to subscribe or listen to podcasts. You can listen on your computer by following the same instructions. However, if you wish to download the files to an MP3 player you can do so. When podcasting first started, iPod was the primary way people listened to MP3 files, hence the name.

Why would I want to subscribe to a podcast? Can't I just watch the sermons online from the CPC sermons page?

There are many reasons to subscribe to a podcast. For CPC podcasts, the obvious reason may be because you want to listen to or watch a CPC sermon when you are away from your computer. You can save the file to your audio or video player and tune in while you are commuting or otherwise not able to listen to "streaming" audio or video. For podcasts from other organizations (there are tens of thousands of them!) you may want to have the ability to have your computer notify you that there is new content on their website. In this way, you don't need to check the website daily to see what's new. Here's a directory of podcasts. You can always watch or listen to our sermons from the CPC sermons page if you are at your computer. However, this page features "streaming" video and audio, and as such does not allow you to save the file to your computer for later use.

Where can I find free podcasting software?

Here are links to two of them - there are many others. If you prefer, visit www.download.com and search for "podcast receivers."

iTunes
Juice

What does that button mean?

For those that are familiar with podcasting and receiving RSS feeds, this is a quick and convenient way to obtain info from a website offering this type of content. Users can simply click the XML button and copy the web address (URL) of the podcast page to add to their podcast software or RSS newsreader.

What is an RSS feed?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and it's a way of keeping up with the latest content from your favorite Web sites, usually in the form of a headline, a short summary, and a link to the full-text article or feature.

Using free newsreader software, you can quickly scan hundreds of the latest headlines from Web sites you've selected, instead of visiting those Web sites individually. Many news sites, for example, regularly publish articles and items of interest to their RSS subscribers. By opening your newsreader software, you can choose which items you would like to read more about on your computer.

Where can I find free newsreader software?

Here's a list, or you can go to www.download.com and search for "newsreaders". In addition, many podcast software packages now also allow you to use them as newsreaders, such as iTunes.

Google's List of Newsreaders
Wikipedia's List of Newsreaders, plus more info on this topic


This is all Greek to me, why can't people just watch sermons the old-fashioned way and go to church?

Great point! This new technology is not meant to be a substitute for regular worship with fellow believers. Instead, it's meant to provide a ministry for those that can't attend in person or for those that enjoy hearing messages throughout the week whenever they want. There's no substitute for worship!

OK, I'm sold. How do I subscribe to the CPC podcasts?

If you have iTunes loaded on your computer, it's as simple as clicking on the purple podcast button in the top right corner of this page. The link will take you to iTunes, where you can look at the available sermons and listen or watch. If you want to subscribe, just click the subscribe button. To subscribe to other podcasts, you'll need to use a podcast directory to find the sites you're interested int.


I'm having a problem with subscribing to or receiving the CPC podcast feeds. What can I do?

Email us, we'd love to help. And if there's a problem with our feeds you would be doing us a great favor by letting us know!

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