Podcast

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A podcast is a recording, visual slideshow, or video that is webcast or delivered through a form of RSS syndication. It can be downloaded directly from a web site or automatically fetched from the Internet through newsfeed readers. In this project, we will focus on iTunes, but there are many other newsfeed readers available.

Podcasts have seen increased use in educational settings. While they are not an invention of Apple, the huge popularity of the iPod has encouraged widespread use of podcasting as a form of content delivery.

Podcasts are easy to create, since at the most basic level, a podcast is an audio file that lives online. Podcasting also can incorporate the use of RSS technology to create a subscription link to the podcast content. That is, you can subscribe to a podcast series, and your podcast reader will automatically download any new editions of the podcast that are posted.

A cottage industry has evolved around amateur newscasting and today many popular radio shows, conference keynotes and presentations are “podcast” as an alternative form of content delivery rather than just reading web pages. The portability of podcasts lets the audience take your content on their commute, or home to review in the comfort of their living rooms.

Two outgrowths of podcasting have made their rounds on the internet, these are the enhanced podcast, and the video podcast (or “vodcast” in some circles). Enhanced podcasts make the use of the album artwork window in programs like iTunes to show graphics that are synchronized with the audio. Video podcasts are primarily short video clips that can be viewed in the same way. Currently iTunes is one of the few podcast clients that support enhanced and video podcasting.

Podcasts can be created with a Windows or Apple PC with software available at no cost, either downloaded for free or available in default installations of Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Apple OS X 10.4.

Media Format Suggestions

iTunes supports the distribution of compressed audio and video files. Apple recommends using the following formats for your iTunes U audio and video content.

Audio Format This is comprised of audio files (AAC, MP3) with appropriate file extensions (.m4a, .mp3). For best results during playback, Apple recommends converting MP3 files greater than 32 megabytes (MB) to AAC format. For AAC audio files, Apple recommends the following specifications:

• Audio Format: AAC-LC (Music) or mp3
• Spoken word: 32 Kbps
• Spoken word with some music: 96 kbps (only if situation requires it)
• Musical performance: 128 kbps
• Channels: Stereo
• Output Sample Rate: 44.100 kHz
• Encoding Quality: Better

Video Format Video files (MPEG-4, H.264) with appropriate file extensions (.mp4, .m4v, .mov). For best results with iPod, Apple recommends using H.264 video files with the following specifications:

• Video Format: H.264
• Data Rate: 256 kbits/sec
• Image Size: 320 x 240 or 640 x 480
• Frame Rate: 30
• Key Frame: Every 24 frames

Note: Streamed video, or video supplied in Windows Media format or Real Networks format must be converted to Quicktime or compatible mp4. Ipods can support the following compression specs:

• H.264 video, up to 1.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Low-Complexity version of the H.264 Baseline Profile audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
• H.264 video, up to 768 kbps, 320 x 240, 30 frames per sec., Baseline Profile up to Level 1.3 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
• MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 x 480, 30 frames per sec., Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 kbps, 48 Khz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

PDF format

• All PDF files must be saved as “Acrobat 5 and above” for backwards compatibility.
• Use the “File | Reduce file size” command prior to submitting to the eLearning Team for submission
• No form fields or dynamic content may be enabled.

Required Applications

Minimal applications and hardware required to make a podcast. All applications listed below are freeware or installed by default in Mac OS X 10.4 and Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Mac

   * Apple OS X 10.4
   * iPhoto
   * GarageBand
   * iTunes
   * Quicktime
   * Audacity
   * LAME mp3 encoder
   * Podifier

PC

   * Windows XP Service Pack 2
   * Windows Movie Maker (available with Windows XP)
   * Audacity
   * iTunes
   * Quicktime
   * Audacity
   * LAME mp3 encoder
   * Free iPod Video Converter
   * Podifier

Required hardware

   * Speakers
   * A microphone (a normal desktop computer microphone will work, but if you want to do this often, invest in a proper microphone or a podcast kit)
   * Digital camera