Want to burn a KFAN show? Download it

By STEVE ALEXANDER, Star Tribune

Last update: October 14, 2008 - 10:08 PM

Q&A STEVE ALEXANDER

Q I have been unable to burn a show from KFAN sports radio onto a CD. Last year I was able to burn a KFAN fantasy football show onto a CD using Microsoft's Windows Media Player, but this year I'm getting a message that I'm not allowed to do that. Has something changed? How can I do this?

WARREN BRACKE, MINNEAPOLIS

A What seems to have changed is that KFAN's website now recommends using Apple's iTunes software to download its podcasts.

In its "Fan On Demand" page (kfan.com/cc-common/podcast/faq.html), KFAN describes how to listen to a podcast on its website or, alternatively, how to stream or download it to your computer.

If you choose downloading, the iTunes software can burn the podcast to a CD much the same way it would burn a song playlist to a disk. For details, see www.jakeludington.com/pod casting/20060418_burning_podcasts_to_cd.html.

Q I would like to transfer photos to a DVD-RW disk in the form of a slide show that could be played on my TV from a DVD player. I haven't been able to do this, but I believe my DVD player doesn't recognize the DVD-RW disk format. Would a new DVD player solve this problem? Also, I've been using Roxio CD and DVD burning software. Am I on the right track?

ED VALUSKAS, WATERBURY, CONN.

A You are on the right track. The MyDVD Slideshow, a software component of Roxio's Easy Media Creator program since version 7.5, will allow you to create a TV-friendly and DVD player-compatible slide show on a DVD.

And you're correct that you need a new DVD player that's compatible with the DVD-RW disk format you're using. That shouldn't be a problem since any new DVD player you'd purchase today should be compatible with several disk formats. You can usually find a list of the DVD formats the player can read on the side of the box.

Q We often like to tape a program from broadcast TV. But with our new HDTV converter box hooked up, all we get from our VCR is a blank tape. Is there a way to make this work?

BILL COLE, MINNEAPOLIS

A There is a way. When wiring the devices together, put the VCR between the converter box and your TV. There are also different set-ups for watching and recording a single channel, or for watching one channel while recording another. For a diagram and more explanation from the Federal Communications Commission, see www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/converterbox_vcr.html.

E-mail your technology questions to tech@ startribune.com or write Tech Q&A, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488-0002. Include full name, city and telephone number.

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