Suggested File Metadata for iTunes

ID3 Tags

It is important that your media files contain the right metadata when they are hosted on iTunes U. The ID3 tags are the metadata embedded in each track or episode. They are accessed by selecting the episode or track and selecting "Get Info". These tags can also be used to organize your tracks once in iTunes or a similar program. Below is an example of ID3 tags for a podcast, followed by a description of tag terms.

Sample ID3 Tag Setup Window

• Name - ''Lecture #2'': The episode or lecture title.
• Artist - ''Prof. Alama Mater'' or ''Columbia University'': Podcast files should be from the faculty member who is lecturing or from Columbia University, so that they are easy to locate.
• Album - ''Course 101'': The Course name.
• Year -''2008'': The four digit year of the release.
• Grouping - ''Produced by CCNMTL'': This tag can be used as a production credit.
• Composer - ''Prof. Alama Mater'': The composer field should hold the name of the individual(s) or organization responsible for the program.
• Genre - ''Podcast''

The following ID3 tags are recognized when uploading files to iTunes U:

Audio (.mp3, .m4a, .m4b)

• Name
• Artist
• Album (Current setting: iTunes U replaces with "Course Name - Course Section" if empty)
• Comment
• Track #

Helpful application for editing ID# tags in audio files: ID3TagEditor

Video (.mov, .mp4, .m4v)

• Name
• Artist
• Album (Current setting: iTunes U replaces with "Course Name - Course Section" if empty)
• Comment

Note: QuickTime tags are unsupported

Documents (.pdf)

Using Adobe Acrobat: Metadata can be accessed via ''File > Properties''. Main fields are available under the ''Description'' tab.

• Title (field maps to '''Name''' in iTunes)
• Author (field maps to '''Artist''' in iTunes)
• Subject (field maps to '''Album''' in iTunes)

Adding a Columbia Icon Banner to Your Album Art

When managing a Course page in iTunes U, users have the option of uploading their own Album Art to podcasts. We have a Columbia-branded banner available for download that you can use in your personalized Album Art. Suggested size for iTunes U album art is 300px x 300px.

Download: Columbia Icon Banner for iTunes U Album Art - Photoshop PSD File