Podcasting

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Introduction

Podcasting, form of distributing digital audio and video files over the Internet, typically for convenient use on a portable media device (PMD) such as an MP3 player. Individual files can be downloaded manually from a Web site or can be received as automatic downloads by subscription. A user may access the files with a personal computer or may transfer the files to a PMD for anywhere, anytime listening or viewing. The on-demand availability of podcasts, along with the option of subscription downloading, distinguish podcasting from other forms of Webcasting (broadcasting over the Internet) such as Internet Radio and streaming audio and video (media files that can be played as they are downloaded). The terms podcast, podcaster, and podcasting are coined from a combination of the Apple iPod media player and broadcasting.

The software needed to download podcasts from the Internet is usually available for free from various Web sites. Additional software allows a user to subscribe to a particular series of podcasts. Because of the size of some data files, downloading a podcast may require a broadband link to the Internet such as digital subscriber lines (DSL), cable, wireless Internet (Wi-Fi), or satellite.

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Types of Content

Virtually any content that can be turned into an audio or a video experience is potentially available as a podcast. Most podcasts are in the form of audio files that use MP3 format to provide spoken word or sometimes music content. Video podcasts, called vodcasts or vidcasts, require additional software to display digital video files. Commonly used video formats include AVI, MPEG, WMV, MOV, RM, ASF, MP4, and H.264. Special software to convert different formats to one compatible with a particular PMD may be required.

Unlike content for over-the-air or cable broadcast media, the content of podcasts is not regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The content may be copyrighted, however. Recording (or “burning”) podcasts to CDs or DVDs for personal use is generally permitted. Many podcasts are offered free but some require paid subscriptions or individual fees.

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Government and public services podcasts cover topics from federal and local regulations to health and safety issues. Educational content available as podcasts may be lectures and instruction for courses taken for credit or learning for personal enrichment, such as foreign language training. Less formal educational material may include museum tours or walking tours of cities.

News content may come from a wide array of sources: commercial broadcasting and news services, newspapers, periodicals, public radio and television, educational institutions, and private organizations. Commercial and public broadcasting content may also include episodes of radio and television programs ranging from entertainment to talk shows and commentaries. Podcasts concerning religious topics (sometimes called “Godcasts”) also have a major audience.

Individuals may create podcasts on any topic and post them on personal Web sites. A popular type of personal podcast is an audio or a video blog, sometimes called a podblog or a vlog. Political candidates may offer podcasts on their Web sites to discuss positions on issues and other topics.

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Creating Podcasts

Creating podcasts requires special software to make an audio or a video recording in a chosen format. Such software is commercially available but some sample versions can be downloaded for free from the Internet. Distributing podcasts by subscription may require an RSS feed—RSS is a widely used tool for syndicating Web content, such as news and other information.

Users can subscribe to a series of podcasts through an RSS feed. The podcasts are automatically downloaded over the Internet to the user’s computer as new episodes or files become available. The user can then transfer the files to a PMD to listen to or view at the user's convenience.

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