Transcript in iPOD Notes

[simonb]

It is possible to use the iPOD Notes feature to display the transcript contents. You can also display the Notes as you listen to music or a podcast. I have used it with the Usted y Tu transcript and it useful to listen and read at the same time using the iPOD.

I can post an example so that those who download the transcript can convert into iPOD notes. I obviously won't use a transcript in the example.

Anyone interested?

Simon

[jessica]

It is possible to use the iPOD Notes feature to display the transcript contents. You can also display the Notes as you listen to music or a podcast. I have used it with the Usted y Tu transcript and it useful to listen and read at the same time using the iPOD.

I can post an example so that those who download the transcript can convert into iPOD notes. I obviously won't use a transcript in the example.

Anyone interested?

Simon
i was wondering about that. if neither ben nor marina object, i'd be interested in seeing how that works. ;)

[cliff]

I am also interested in trying this, but don't we need the transcription as a word or text document so it can be read by an iPOD? I didn't think it was possible with the PDF file of the transcription.

[Ben]

i was wondering about that. if neither ben nor mariana object, i'd be interested in seeing how that works. ;)

Not at all, do tell us how it's done!

[jessica]

haha....sorry about misspelling marina's name. i always want to add an extra "a" because it's my mom's middle name. :P

[simonb]

I'll put together an example and post as soon as I can.

With regards to using PDFs, you can use the "Select Tool" to cut and paste the text into Notepad or Word. Then edit the text within Notepad or Word to the correct format.

One thing to note is that the maximum size of a Notes file on the iPOD is 4K so a typical NFS Transcript needs to be broken down into 4K chunks and saved as multiple files. However, with the Notes features one can copy the multiple files onto the iPOD and use links to select the files. Each file looks the same as say a song title, for example.

It'll make more sense when I post the example. In the meantime, there's an article at:

http://www.macworld.com/2004/09/secrets/septgeekfactor/

which will give you some more info.

I'll create an example that doesn't use the NFS Transcript because I don't want to infringe on Ben's copyright. :)

Simon

[simonb]

Attached is a ZIP file that you will need to extract and copy into the Notes folder on your iPOD. You will need to Enable Disk Use on your iPOD to be able to copy the content of the ZIP file.

You can use iTunes to Enable Disk Use. Click on the icon on the bottom righthand corner of iTunes that looks like an iPOD - "Display options for player". Enable Disk Use is on the "iPOD" tab.

You'll find the Notes facitlity on your iPOD under Extras. I believe that this is only available on the latest generation of iPOD, e.g. Nano.

Tell me what you think.

[cliff]

I just got it to work on my ipod too - pretty cool. I copy and pasted from the transcription pdf into the itunes lyrics feature (not the notes). I had to convert the podcast to an mp3 first though, as it didn't work when the file was a podcast. To convert a file to an mp3 from within itunes you right click the podcast and select <convert to mp3>. Then you can delete the original podcast and work with the mp3.

Thanks for the suggestion - It had never even occured to me to try this.

[Alan]

You don't need to convert . . . they ARE mp3s. Do you mean put the mp3 on instead of the feed?

[simonb]

Cliff

I tried what you'd suggested. I had two problems:

1. Even if I post the text into Lyrics, I can't access it from the iPOD. The iPOD just keeps showing the Description Text. If I paste the text into a song then the "lyrics" appear.

2. When pasted into a song as lyrics it truncates the transcript at about 50%. I guess there must be a maximum size the the lyrics.

I have an iPOD Nano 2G but I don't know if that's relevant.

Simon

[cliff]

That's the same problem I had at first. It seems that if you use iTunes and subscribe to the podcast to keep your mp3s updated, then your iPod knows the mp3 is a podcast and will not accept lyrics for it. The only work around that I could find was to use the "convert to mp3" feature of itunes that I described in my earlier post. I know it seems redundant as the podcast is already an mp3, but I guess its just an iPod thing. Whatever the reason, once you do this and put lyrics into the new copy - it works fine. (I bet if you download the mp3's direct from the website rather than use iTunes to automatically keep you updated it might be different.)

I have also just noticed that the iPod limits the amount of text it will accept into each song, which unfortunatelly does not appear to be enough for a comlete NIS transcription - bummer. This is probably the same 4k limit that you originally mentioned in your first post about using the notes feature. All I can suggest now is to break up the mp3 into smaller sections.

All this seems a lot of effort and some people may feel its just not worth it. But for me when I am travelling, I think it will be a very useful feature.

[cubix]

How about doing an enhanced podcast? like a .acc podcast,they used to do one for lost with chapters, and pictures and such, maube you can add "lyrics"

[Ben]

Enhanced podcasts would only be any use to people with ipods I'm afraid, and not everyone uses one... plus it's a time thing - not enough of it to do both types of file! Wouldn't the ideal thing be to use a PDA? I'm sure they take mp3's and pdf's...

[cliff]

How about a TV show? Just kidding :D .

[cubix]

Enhanced podcasts would only be any use to people with ipods I'm afraid, and not everyone uses one... plus it's a time thing - not enough of it to do both types of file! Wouldn't the ideal thing be to use a PDA? I'm sure they take mp3's and pdf's...

Wouldn't having the transcript in the iPod notes only apply to iPods. I'm not a big fan of PDA's, I had one a few years ago and was disappointed by how little it could do, esp for the price

[Ben]

How about a TV show? Just kidding :D .

Mini-dv camera is currently top of the wish list! Not sure about a TV show though!

[gary]

How about doing an enhanced podcast? like a .acc podcast,they used to do one for lost with chapters, and pictures and such, maube you can add "lyrics"

Technology is meant to make our lives easier. The only reason to do the iPod notes thing is because we can. Clearly it isnt straight forward and the time spent figuring it out could be spent enjoying the podcasts.
If anyone needs the text whilst they are listening away from their computer then hold down the Control key (Command on a Mac) press P and hit return. This will cause a lightweight, portable version of the text to emerge from your printer - it can easily be made to fit pocket or handbag by folding it in half then in half again.

Anyone got a shirt to sew on to this button.....:rolleyes:

[simonb]

:D :D Spoken like a true Yorkshireman.

I suppose we now know the Notes/lyrics thing it's there if you want to use it.

[gary]

I think it might be nice if there could be pictures along with the podcasts, particularly when the topic is a park or museum, etc.
These would appear on the screen of an iPod or in the album art section of iTunes and, I believe, leave those without iPods and iTunes unaffected.

HOWEVER....

To do this by scripting the xml by hand is more than anyone could expect, so probably not viable.

Our only hope is that Ben gets a new Intel MacBook for Christmas/Birthday and has access to Garage Band. My understanding is that, according to Adam Christianson of The MacCast (http://www.maccast.com), you only have to drop the image onto the timeline in the right place and tha app takes care of the rest - ie minimal extra work for maximum extra impact....the whole point of using a computer!!!

[Ben]

My understanding is that, according to Adam Christianson of The MacCast (http://www.maccast.com), you only have to drop the image onto the timeline in the right place and tha app takes care of the rest - ie minimal extra work for maximum extra impact....the whole point of using a computer!!!

But is it still an MP3?

[simonb]

Gary

You can copy images into the "Photo", feature on the iPOD. You can view the images while listening to the Podcast. You have to manually move through the images but without much effort.

[gary]

But is it still an MP3?
I am sure that it is an .mp3 - I have an iPod Shuffle which is a basic flash drive with an audio out and it plays on there. I could always email an enhanced podcast for you to try on a different player....

You can copy images into the "Photo", feature on the iPOD. You can view the images while listening to the Podcast. You have to manually move through the images but without much effort.


I was under the impression that enhanced podcasts, which display images in the album art panel of the iTunes window displayed images automatically... will check this out with my technical department (son).

[gary]

Yup, confirmed it,

1. If you include images in an enhanced podcast as Album Art (easy in Garage Band which is free with every MacBook) the individual images play and change with the timeline. I have now seen this with my own eyes.

2. The enhanced podcasts will play on an ordinary .mp3 player but no images - err... obviusly.

The main difference is that if you are on an iPod and you stop or switch to another track then come back, the iPod will pick up the audio where you left off, with a common or garden mp3 player it plays from the top every time.

Thanks to son for tech support...

[simonb]

Very cool.

I can see that it would have work really well with the Don Justo's cathederal podcast.

[Ben]

Hmmm, another fine excuse to get a Macbook :)

[gary]

Hmmm, another fine excuse to get a Macbook :)
Thought you might appreciate an excuse..err rational justification for the purchase of a MacBook. I usually need a good one to get any tech purchase past the 'management' particularly when funds have been eyed up for the purchase of soft furnishing. fitted wardrobes, a new bed, etc, etc.....

Michael my son has seen one and he's impressed - praise indeed - says it has as much firepower as his 17' PowerBook which cost three times as much.

I'd hold off for the moment though to see if they launch this offer (http://www.apple.com/backtoschool/)in Europe. I think you have to buy through a college or an education reseller but most people can engineer a way round that if they really need to....

[Ben]

I usually need a good one to get any tech purchase past the 'management' particularly when funds have been eyed up for the purchase of soft furnishing. fitted wardrobes, a new bed, etc, etc.....

Nice to know such issues are truely international ;D

Yes, I saw that offer, but think the management sees any future laptop purchases as a long long way off at the moment:(

[gary]

Nice to know such issues are truely international ;D

Yes, I saw that offer, but think the management sees any future laptop purchases as a long long way off at the moment:(

Know the feeling - dont bother sulking it only makes them laugh!!