The term Podcast comes from the words iPod and Broadcast, however this name is misleading. You don't need an iPod or any portable media player to view or listen to them. You only need a computer.
Podcasting can be known by several names:
- Blogcasting
- Audioblogging
- RSScasting
- Vlogging
- Vcasting
A podcast usually meets the following requirements:
- it is episodic. You normally don't create a podcast of one audio or video file. It is meant to contain multiple, related "episodes" that occur over time.
- it is partnered with an RSS feed. The RSS feed allows the user to subscribe to the podcast. Once that is done, the podcast is "pushed" to the user as new episodes are added. They never have to go back to find the podcast again because it is sent directly to their computer. If a portable media player (iPod, mp3 player, etc.) is used then many applications will then automatically push the podcast directly to the player upon connection.
- it is not live. Podcasts are pre-recorded and download to the user's computer. Podcasts are not broadcasts that can be pushed to a user's machine as the event is happening.
What makes a podcast different from streamed audio/video?
| Characteristic |
Podcasted Audio/Video |
Webcasted (Streamed) Audio/Video |
| Playback |
Computer with internet connection and/or portable media player (mp3 or iPod). |
Computer with fast internet connection. |
| Downloadable |
Must be downloaded to computer to view. |
Playable from the internet but download is not required. In some cases download is forbidden. |
| Episodic |
Should be. |
Can be but not required. |
| Method of attainment |
Push Technology - Can subscribe and have the audio/video delivered to the user automatically. User never has to go looking for the new files. |
Pull Technology - Must go to the web to check for any new audio/video files on a regular basis. |
| Copyright |
Because podcasted files are downloaded and can be moved from place to place you should not podcast any copyrighted material.* |
Because streamed files are more difficult to download this is a safer method to use when trying to protect copyrighted material.* |
| Live vs Pre-recorded |
Non-live. Must be pre-recorded. |
Can be live but doesn't have to be. |
| Web posting |
Can be posted to a regular web server (spinner). |
Must be posted to a special streaming server. |
| RSS |
Must have an RSS feed. |
Does not require an RSS feed. |
| Network Speed |
Works well with low-bandwidth and high-bandwidth. |
Better for high-bandwidth. |
| Software Required |
Usually requires a podcast aggregator (iTunes, iPodder) that polls the subscribed sites and grabs any new podcasts automatically. |
Plays directly in a web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) |
* Please note that you need to be diligent in protecting copyrighted material. Do not broadcast copyrighted material on the non-password protected web.
Different type of podcasts
There are three different types of podcasts:
| Audio |
Enhanced |
Video |
| contains audio only |
can contain audio, still images, pdfs and urls and utilizes a chapter marker navigation system
|
contains video and audio |
|
can be played on most any computer
can be played on most any mp3 player
|
can play on most computers running iTunes
can only play on an iPod photo or video
can be converted to an MP3 for playback on almost any MP3 player but will lose everything except the audio
|
can play on most any computer
can play on most any portable video player such as an iPod video or a PSP
|
|
most popular file types:
|
most popular file types:
|
most popular file types:
|
What Is an Enhanced Podcast?
"Enhanced podcasts are AAC-encoded audio files with additional time-based "chapter" data inside them, such as images or URLs that are programmed to appear at a certain time as the audio plays. They're like slideshows synchronized to music (or any other audio). The formats for these files are M4A, M4B, or M4P." At this time, they will only play in iTunes and on iPods. These files can be converted into MP3 files so that more players can listen to them. However, once this is done, the podcast looses any images, pdfs or urls that were originally embedded.
Copyright © Teaching, Learning & Technology (TLT): March 3, 2007 • College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29401 - 843.953.5569 myb
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.