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What is the Podcatcher Classic?

5 min readUpdated Nov 20264 steps

This page explains what the Podcatcher Classic is, how it works with IDentifiers and how it charges and gets new content.

The Podcatcher Classic is an interactive audio handset. You can use it for any kind of interpretation and interaction: from a simple audio guide to a remote control for an interactive exhibition or a game.

Visitors use it like a mix of a TV remote and a phone. They point the Podcatcher Classic at an IDentifier, and it plays the audio linked to that IDentifier. Then they hold it to their ear and listen.

How it works

Section titled “How it works”

The Podcatcher Classic works together with a few other products:

  • IDentifiers — small square devices placed next to an object, artwork or room. Each IDentifier sends out its own code using infrared. You link that code to a stop in the Platform, so the Podcatcher Classic knows which audio to play.
  • Start IDentifiers — start a tour in a given language. They usually show a country flag on the front. A Start IDentifier can be used only once per tour, otherwise the Podcatcher Classic would not know which tour to start.
  • Dockingstations — charge the Podcatcher Classic and give it new content and software. A Dockingstation holds up to 10 devices.
  • Sync Devices — a Syncbox or a Syncconsole connects the Dockingstations to the internet. By default, content is synchronized every day at 19:00 (7 PM) local time.

One IDentifier can be used in several tours. For example, an adult tour and a children’s tour can use the same IDentifier with different audio.

Hardware at a glance

Section titled “Hardware at a glance”
FeaturePodcatcher Classic
TriggerInfrared receiver at the very tip of the device; point it at an IDentifier, like a TV remote
SpeakerAt the top of the front, like a phone
Buttons3 (left, middle, right)
Status lights3 LEDs: yellow, green, red
StorageSD card inside the casing, holding the content, firmware and log files
Maximum content1.9 GB
AudioMP3 playback
Charging and synchronizationIn a Dockingstation connected to a Sync Device
CarryingNeck lanyard

For dimensions and the full technical specifications, download the Podcatcher Classic specsheet (PDF). Audio file requirements are in the audio specsheet (PDF).

The buttons

Section titled “The buttons”

Each button has two roles, depending on the clip that is playing:

ButtonDuring a regular clipIn a clip with options
LeftVolume downOption A
MiddlePause / playOption B
RightVolume upOption C

With these three buttons you can build more than an informative tour: quizzes, surveys and other interactive experiences.

What a visit looks like

Section titled “What a visit looks like”
  1. The visitor receives a Podcatcher Classic at a handout point or takes one from a self-service unit.
  2. They point it at the Start IDentifier for their language.
  3. They walk through the museum and point the device at IDentifiers to hear the audio.
  4. They return the Podcatcher Classic to the museum.

See Visitor instructions for the Podcatcher Classic for ready-made text and symbols.

Charging and updating content

Section titled “Charging and updating content”

A Podcatcher Classic needs to be recharged regularly. In the Dockingstation it charges, receives newly published audio and installs new software.

To synchronize a Podcatcher Classic, place it in a Dockingstation connected to a working Sync Device. Then either:

  • wait for the daily synchronization (19:00 local time by default), or
  • start a sync yourself in the Platform: go to Hardware → Sync, open the Sync Device and click Start Sync, or click Sync all in the list.

Settings

Section titled “Settings”

You can adjust a few settings for all Podcatcher Classic devices at your site, most notably the speaker volume. In the Platform, go to Site settings → Podcatcher V3.

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