Podcast Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't use iTunes, but still want to subscribe to the podcasts?
Do I need an iPod to listen to Podcasts?
When is Sunday Morning's podcast updated?
What format are your media files in?
What is a Podcast?
In general terms, a podcast is a collection of digital media files (audio, video, pdf, etc.) which are distributed over the Internet for playback on an iPod or other portable media players and on computers. What differentiates a podcast from a simple media file download is the ability to subscribe and receive automatic updates. The term "podcast" is an aggregation of "Broadcast" and "iPod", which was the first portable media player for which scripts were written that automatically transfer media files to the playback device. New Life Church offers our sermons for podcasting through iTunes or other podcasting feed readers, as well as providing the ability to download the media files directly or listen/watch online through our online media player.
What is iTunes?
iTunes is a media file player, offered free of charge by Apple, that not only manages your media files, but also allows you to subscribe to podcasts. They can then be automatically downloaded to your computer, and can be automatically transferred to your iPod or iPhone, or manually transferred to your other portable media player. iTunes also provides a mechanism for easily purchasing media, including music, TV shows, and movies. You can download it for free by clicking here.
What if I don't use iTunes, but still want to subscribe to the podcasts?
Though iTunes is the most popular application for subscribing to podcasts, there are several other media players and clients that can also subscribe to podcasts and perform what is often referred to as "podcatching". These include Microsoft's Zune Marketplace, Google, iPodder, Juice, Doppler, Podget, Podracer, Amarok, Winamp, and Mediamonkey to name a few. On the main page for each podcast, we provide links that will subscribe you in a variety of formats. Below you will find those links for each of our available podcasts. Just click on "Subscribe..." and then select the appropriate link for your specific application.
Do I need an iPod to listen to Podcasts?
No. You can listen to podcasts on any or portable mp3 player or on your computer. You will need an application such as iTunes to play the file.
When is Sunday Morning's podcast updated?
Sunday morning's podcast is updated weekly and usually available for download by Monday morning.
I subscribed to the Sunday night podcast but don't seem to be getting any new messages. What happened?
With our Sunday night service format change, we launched a new podcast called "New Life U" that will contain the main sessions from New Life U. Currently, the Sunday night podcast will still be active and contain services that we want to make available, but do not fit into another podcast category. These services include our periodic "Family Meetings". You can still download or listen to the messages from Sunday Night here.
What format are your media files in?
Our audio files are MP3 files at 64kbps resolution joint stereo. Our video files are in quicktime .mov format at 376 kbps total bit rate using the H.264 video codec. I know it sounds complex, but you did ask. :) This provides a good balance between quality and file size.
