What is Podcasting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Podcasting is a method of publishing files via the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically. It became popular in late 2004, intended largely for downloading audio files onto a portable MP3 player. However, listening to podcasts does not require a portable player and it is not traditional "broadcasting" to a mass audience at a fixed time.
"Podcasting" is a portmanteau, combing "broadcasting" with the name of Apple Computer's iPod audio player (although podcasting was not invented by Apple, nor do podcasts require a portable player or Apple software).
It is distinct from other types of online audio delivery because of its subscription model, which uses the RSS 2.0 file format. Podcasting enables independent producers to create self-published, syndicated "radio shows," and gives broadcast radio programs a new distribution channel. Listeners may subscribe to feeds using "podcatching" software (a type of "aggregator"), which periodically checks for and downloads new content. Some podcatching software is also able to synchronise (copy) podcasts to portable music players. Any digital audio player or computer with audio-playing software can play podcasts. The same technique can deliver video files, and by 2005 some aggregators could play video as well as audio.
What Atlantic Video Can do for you!
We can produce your Podcast from creation to encoding to the web. AVP is your one stop for production of any Podcast that you would like to produce. We can produce your Podcast via phone lines that allows us to remotely produce programming from anywhere in the world.
Listen to some of our programming here. We produce a network worth of programming every week and we can produce yours as well!
Coping with growth
When it added a podcast-subscription feature to its June 28, 2005, release of iTunes 4.9[12], Apple also launched a directory of podcasts at the iTunes Music Store, starting with 3,000 entries. Apple's software allowed podcasts to use chapters, bookmarks, external links and synchronized images displayed on iPod screens or in the iTunes artwork viewer. Two days after release of the program, Apple reported one million podcast subscriptions.[13]
The challenge faced now by podcasters is the increased exposure brought by iTunes' huge market of downloaders, which although provides more listeners also provides a higher toll on bandwidth. A possible solution to this problem is the addition of a content delivery system—such as Akamai—or a peer-to-peer solution—such as BitTorrent.
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Other uses
Podcasting's initial appeal was to allow individuals to create their own "radio shows," but the system is increasingly used for other reasons, including:
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A new outlet for commercial and public radio stations. (See list of radio stations with podcasts.)
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Broadcasters creating programming that they wouldn't get away with otherwise. Regulatory bodies, like the British Ofcom, would not allow the programme Simulacrum [14] to be broadcast in traditional media.
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Unofficial audio tours of museums[15].
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Education. Musselburgh Grammar School, Scotland began podcasting foreign language audio revision and homework, possibly becoming the first school in Europe to launch a regular podcast [16]. The online encyclopedia Wikipedia has begun podcasting encyclopedia articles.
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Religion. Podcasting (or in this context, Godcasting) has been used by many religious groups [17]. St Mark's Anglican Church, Clayfield Australia podcasts talks and sermons from their evening service [18]. Disciples with Microphones provides podcasts relating to the Catholic church [19].
Cost of Service
It is surprisingly affordable call our productions staff for details.
A typical 30-minute Podcast* including audio editing and encoding is only $200. Server space is available for additional nominal fee. Call AVP at 215-230-3666 or email us.
* Price reflects a telephone recorded Podcast remote audio production is additional fee.