Podcasts are a great source for mp3 download. Generally speaking, podcasts are simply blogs with media files attached to the majority of the post. This can be in the form of videos or audio, with the audio file being an mp3 file. You can usually pull up the website for your favorite podcast and stream the media file to your screen or headphones, then enjoy.

The biggest issue with this nowadays is that streaming audio and video files over and over can accumulate bandwith usage. If you do not have an unlimited data plan from your internet service provider, this can make your bill grow due to data overage.

The remedy for this issue is to download the media file to your portable player permanently. Once its saved, you can listen to it as many times as you like, without accumulating additional data charges. This leaves the question: how to download a podcast to an mp3 player? There are two primary options for saving the mp3 download from the podcast to your device: Direct Download and Subscription.

This can be done directly from the website of the podcast. Usually each post will have a button to play the the mp3 file on the webpage, as well as a link that points directly to the mp3 file itself. Use the link to gain access to the mp3 download.

• If you are using a PC: Touch the link with the right mouse button. Choose ‘save link as’ in the small window that pops up. In the following window, take note of the file name and location. Click ‘save’ and the file will save to your hard drive.
• If you are using a portable device: Touch the link on your screen and hold down for 3 to 5 seconds. Most devices will present you with options to save the link to your device memory or storage card.

The concept of a podcast is to have your mp3 download delivered automatically to your mp3 player. This is done by using a ‘podcatcher’ to subscribe to a ‘feed.’

A podcast client or ‘podcatcher’ is software that automatically checks for updates and notifies you when there is new material. The most popular podcatcher is iTunes. Enter the feed from your favorite podcast into iTunes, and new mp3 downloads will sync to your iPod when you connect it to your computer. In it’s most simple terms, most feeds can be accessed by adding ‘/feed/’ to the end of the website’s URL (e.g. http://www.BMSRadioChicago.com/feed/).

Most modern podcast will have an ‘app’ or application that can be downloaded and saved to most portable device operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry). The app acts as a podcatcher, and automatically grabs the mp3 download whenever there is new material.

Other popular podcatchers include Winamp and Media Go. You can also keep up with your favorite podcast through social networking. Each podcatcher will have its own specific instructions on how to download a podcast to an mp3 player.