Do you know what a podcast is? This concept means a sound file (for example, MP3) or a video file (flash-video FLV), which is freely available on the Internet for mass listeners or to view the target audience.
A podcast can be compared to Internet radio, only unlike streaming, there are pieces of the radio that can be downloaded and listened to on any player.
At the beginning of their development, they were only sound and were intended only for listening to media players (like the iPod). Podcasting has now evolved into several formats, such as audio and video.
Audio podcasts are audio recordings of presentations, lectures, news, ideas, thoughts, which carry a clear interest for a wide range of audiences. And this kind of file is provided for listening using the audio flash button. It integrates into the site (blog), where a link to download the podcast file is given.
Understanding what a podcast is and what is an audio format will allow the user to create a podcast of a format that will completely match the theme of the site or blog and be constantly updated if it is a series of programs.
Audio podcasts should carry informational value for visitors and be distributed free of charge. You can record files for them using a microphone connected to a computer, an mp3 player or a voice recorder.
First, select the program in which the podcast will be recorded and edited. If you have confidence that you want to tell people and clearly represent your audience, then you can start creating your own mp3 transfer.
Audio podcasts have some advantage. Listeners can listen to them in parallel and go about their business. Often listening to information in this form, the listener subconsciously changes his mental attitudes and outlook on life. And the intonation of the voice convinces the author of the statements. Positive and interesting, it seems to program a person for good, making him happier, more energetic and cheerful. This has long been verified.
Video podcasts are video recordings of speeches on a topic that match the themes of sites or blogs, and just like audio podcasts, they should carry informational value for visitors to a site (blog).
The idea of what a podcast is in video format will allow you to shoot video and create video from any webcam or digital video camera. It’s not necessary to have high quality video, as podcasts are mostly created by non-professional authors.
You can record video podcasts on any video camera from which you can then copy them to a computer via a USB port.
But such a video cannot be placed on a site (blog), for this a special video format is required. You can transfer video to flash-format on services such as video.mail.ru or Youtube.com. There you can get ready-made html code for posting a flash video player to a website or blog.
Podcasts in video format can convey a certain motivation or experience of a person, which in many cases cannot be done using plain text.
A clear understanding of what a podcast is will allow you to choose absolutely any topic for it. It can be brilliant thoughts, an interview with a celebrity, or some news. It all depends on the creative imagination of the author. And the main thing to remember is that a podcast should carry informational value for its audience.
A large number of programs have been created, such as the very popular iTunes application, where you can download and play podcasts.
In comparison with television and radio broadcasting, they do not require licensing of frequencies and are available at any time for listeners. Nowadays, the terminology associated with the podcast has become increasingly misused. So, podcasting is an activity, and podcast is the only issue or the general name of the program.