sync toy

Syncing podcasts to my Treo 700W (or any other pocket pc)

I recently got a Treo 700W phone/pda. I used to carry a phone and a pocket pc. Having the two in one is great. I am always about making life more simple and consolidating devices. Another device that I have is an ipod. I enjoy listening to podcasts in particular. I was looking for a way to sync podcasts up to my treo so that I would always have them with me. Downloading podcast through itunes is hard to beat. The last thing I want to do is to manually go through and move mp3 files over to my treo. I searched around for the perfect solution and I think I have one.

The process involves using a free tool called SyncToy. It is actually provided by Microsoft as a Windows XP powertoy.

SyncToy, a free PowerToy for Microsoft Windows XP, is an easy to use, highly customizable program that helps users to do the heavy lifting involved with the copying, moving, and synchronization of different directories. Most common operations can be performed with just a few clicks of the mouse, and additional customization is available without added complexity. SyncToy can manage multiple sets of folders at the same time; it can combine files from two folders in one case, and mimic renames and deletes in another. Unlike other applications, SyncToy actually keeps track of renames to files and will make sure those changes get carried over to the synchronized folder.

So here is how it works. Use Itunes to download your podcast. If you set Itunes to run when your computer starts, it can run the background and will download your podcasts when they become available. Itunes then stores all of your podcasts in a folder on your hard drive. (Usually in …\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Podcasts)

You will then need an SD card (or whatever kind of flash memory your PDA uses).

Run SyncToy. Configure SyncToy to sync between your flash memory and the folder in Itunes (…\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Podcasts). I actually created a folder on my SD card called Podcasts. In SyncToy, you choose two folders you want to sync. With my SD card in the reader, I choose G:/Podcasts (G being the drive of my SD Card) and C:\…..\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\Podcasts). I name the job podcasts.

So now, all I need to do it stick my flash memory (SD card) in the card reader, launch SyncToy, and run the podcast job). All my current podcasts are on my SD card (meaning they are all on my Treo when I stick the card in the Treo).

So how do you play the podcasts on the Treo?

You have several options here. The first is Windows Media player (which comes with all pocket pcs). Update your Library and the podcasts will just show up in the playlist. However, I don’t really like the fact that you are unable to bookmark files. When I use Windows Media player, I find myself constantly loosing my place when I close out of the program.

Another option is a free player called MortPlayer. It works really well, allows you to bookmark and even specify favorite directories.

If you have some cash and want a few additional features, Pocket Player is also a nice player. It runs $19.95.

SyncToy

Itunes

MortPlayer

Pocket Player

SyncToy is also a great tool for backing up files! This method will work with any type of PDA that uses external flash memory. The player and the setup on your PDA may be different if you have a Palm rather than a pocket pc.

 

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