Podcast syncing question

[MaxPower49]

I have my ipod touch set to sync the “5 most recent unplayed episodes.” If I have 5 episodes on my ipod and I listen to 4 of them all the way through, and then sync to itunes, I would expect it to delete the 4 played episodes from the ipod but it doesn’t… it keeps them all. Is this the way it is supposed to work? And if so, what is the difference in syncing the “5 most recent episodes” and “5 most recent unplayed” episodes?”

[upaymeifixit]

As far as I'm concerned it's working properly. The difference would be syncing only your top five un-listened to songs rather than any top five.

[skybolt]

There is a difference between "new" and "unplayed". Unplayed means that you have started to play the item, but not necessarily to the end. If you have not played or fast forwarded all the way to the end, it is "new". Does that help you make your decision as to how to mark your preferences?