iTunes won't recognize downloaded episodes

[Schneider815]

I know there's probably an easy solution for this that I'm overlooking, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is.

I've recently downloaded several lessons from the site using the right-click, "Save Link As" method. I have them all saved to the Japanese Pod 101 folder that iTunes created when I previously downloaded the podcast from their own browser. The downloaded files are all MP3s, so I didn't make an error and download the wrong thing. The only alteration I have made is renaming them with the lesson title, rather than the generic 166_B83_061406_jpod101 type of filename.

The problem now is that I can't seem to get iTunes to recognize that my podcast folder is full of all these new goodies. They don't show up on the list and all I receive is the option to download the lessons currently available on iTunes. I want desperately to sync these lessons - they're about the only thing that gets me through the workday and the best way I've found to keep my Japanese sharp now that I"m back in the West.

As I said, I'm sure the answer is probably obvious to the tech savvy folk out there, but it's completely eluding me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[untmdsprt]

Sounds like you're not telling iTunes that the files are there. You have to add them to your library after you've downloaded them from the website.

Depending on how they're encoded, they may or may not show up when you go to the podcast list. They will show up in the "music" list.

[Schneider815]

Hm...well, I can get it into iTunes as music, but is there a way to restrict it to podcast status? For one, I keep my MP3s on a separate computer and sync music and podcasts separately. For two, I don't particularly want to be tripping over podcasts while I have my music on shuffle.

Just wondering, and I definitely appreciate the help so far!

[untmdsprt]

Nope sorry. I have iTunes 8.2.1 and it doesn't allow me to change something into a podcast.

Maybe you can do a search for a separate app that will do this.