[skybolt]

I have signed up for several podcasts through iTunes. In two cases, they won't go onto iPod. One says the podcast cannot be found -- however it is on my computer and will play from there. In the other case, it is the MacBreak video podcast, and I am told that it "cannot be played on this iPod". I have the latest 5.5G iPod, so can't see where the problem is. FWIW, I do have my iTunes library on an external drive, but that can't be the problem as all my other music and podcasts transfer just fine to the iPod. Anybody got any ideas about the two problem children? What can I do to fix? In each case, I tried unsubscribing and re-subscribing, but the problem persists.

iTunes 7 on new Macbook, in case its important.

Thanks in advance!

[skybolt]

Update! Last night I tried restoring my iPod to factory and then syncing with iTunes. Got the same error messages. However, the audio podcast that it said could not be found, actually WAS on the iPod. The video podcast is not. Wonder what is going on? Any ideas??

[ipodGuru]

Here are the reasons that some files in your iTunes library may not be sent to your iPod:
Software needs to be updated

Download the latest version of the iTunes and then update the iPod..

iPod can't play the type of file
If you're not sure what file types iPod can play, here is the list for you

Compatible codecs
iPod can play songs encoded with these codecs:

* MP3 (from 32 Kbps to 320 Kbps)
* MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR)
* AIFF *
* WAV (with no compression)
* The following require iPod software 1.3 or later:
o M4A AAC *
o M4P AAC (Protected) *
o M4B AAC (iTunes Store Spoken Word files) *
* The following require iPod software 2.2 or later or iPod mini 1.1 or later:
o Apple Lossless Encoder

* Requires iTunes 4 or iTunes 4 for Windows. AAC files also require the most recent update to the iPod software.
Compatible sample rates

iPod can play songs with the these sample rates, and with all compatible codecs:

* 8 kHz
* 11.025 kHz
* 16 kHz
* 22.050 kHz
* 32 kHz
* 44.1 kHz

Audible Spoken Word files

iPod Software 1.2 and later can play Audible spoken word files in formats 2, 3, and 4. These files have the filename extension, ".aa".

iTunes 4 and iTunes 4 for Windows work with Audible spoken word files.
Incompatible codecs

iPod cannot play songs that use these audio formats:

* snd
* QuickTime
* MP2
* MP1
* WAV with compression
* WMA and WMA Protected
* any other format not in the Compatible codecs list

If you copy a song that uses one of the incompatible codecs from your iTunes Library to iPod, you can select the song on iPod, but it will not play. Instead, iPod skips to the next song in the playlist.

Media file can't be found
Double-click the song in your library and show iTunes where it is.

Media file not authorized to play on your computer
Double-click the media file in your library and enter your account name and password.

Podcast size exceeds available space on your iPod

If your podcasts are set to autosync with your iPod and there is not enough available space left on the iPod for the current podcasts to transfer, your purchases will not transfer.

Turn off the option to automatically sync podcasts on your iPod and then re-sync your music.

Too many accounts
There is already content from five other iTunes Store accounts on the iPod.

The latest version of iTunes explains most of the reasons why some files aren't sent to the iPod. Get the latest version of iTunes

If you are getting no message explaining why specific content is not being sent to your iPod, you may need to reset warnings on your iPod.

Source:Some songs in iTunes won't copy to iPod
Zolved - Technical support for computers, laptops, MP3s, cell phones, PDAs, wireless networks, game consoles and digital cameras

[skybolt]

O.K., thanks for the reply. In the case of the regular podcast, I have double clicked and can listen to the podcast on the computer via iTunes. Still no joy on the iPod. The video podcast is put out by Leo Laporte and available in iTunes, so should be compatible. Still no joy. New iPod is 80 gig, so have plenty of room, that's not the problem. Have no idea about how to check the file type of various podcasts, but all play perfectly on the computer -- just not on the iPod. Am no further ahead than I was, but am grateful for the info you provided.

Anybody else???

[skybolt]

Well, I had some time this weekend to look into the problem, and alas, it was pilot error (I am a hot air balloon pilot). Seems I did not know that one could not mix audio and video podcasts in the same playlist! When I followed Apple"s info regarding same, and went to Video, then video podcasts, all was well! Sorry for being so dumb".

However, a new question has arisen. I had several podcasts, mostly NPR, that now have the exclamation point, and I am told they can't be found. Why is that? Why can they not be found?? Nothing has changed, I have not deleted anything, the dates are current. Where do they go??

Thanks again for your help!!