Before we get started on how to get your podcast up, you may have heard about the recent release of the video Ipod.  The sixty gigabyte model, will hold up to 150 hours of video which is displayed on a 2.5inch screen.  This is very timely especially for Australia, as the Australian iTunes site was opened two weeks ago.

Apparently, the release of the video version was delayed until Apple finalised a deal with Disney and ABC America.  Now you'll be able to download your favourite TV programme after it has aired.  And at present, there about two thousand music videos waiting for you at $3.39 each.

Where will it end?

Who knows?  But in the meantime, why not get your own podcast up & running?  The principles are the same for both audio only and video.  You could be one of the first with a vodcast (Video On Demand cast) and iTunes will be looking for content. So here we go.

The first thing you need to do is make an audio/video programme.  Since most of our readers work in the television/radio industry, we're not going to go into this too much.  It can be as simple as a headset microphone attached to your computer, or a full blown production made at our studios.  Most podcasts use the 'kiss' principle so they can make a lot of content and get it out quickly. But I will throw in a plug here; we do have the facilities to do it faster and better than someone at home.  We also use tools (such as we use in GET IT LOUD!) to make your audio much better than the other 25000 podcasts. End plug!

Remember that any music or sound recording subject to copyright you use needs to be cleared for use.  So now you've got your programme. The next step is to publish it. There are a few ways to go about this. Firstly, you could just upload your mp3/wmv/quicktime to your website, allowing people to download it. But the better way to do it is with an RSS feed. This way, when you make a new programme the listeners (or watchers!) are instantly notified.

RSS or 'really simple syndication', is a standard for publishing regular updates to web based content. Consumers use RSS to collect and monitor their 'feeds' in one place. So for consumers it makes reviewing a large number of sites easy and for publishers it allows instant distribution to consumers. The software required to do this is all free, so it's great for both producers and the audience.

First, you need to add your podcast to your RSS feed. The simplest way to do this is with a 'blog'. Blog is short for 'weblog', which is basically a diary you create on the internet. When you have something new for your audience, you simply add a new post to your blog (HI, my next podcast is ready!. Click here...). You can set your blog up to send out your RSS feed to your subscribers.

They get your message on something called an 'aggregator'. No, this is NOT an angry animal living in the swamps of Florida!

An 'aggregator' simply monitors all the 'streams' you tell it to. For example, say you're interested in the cooking podcast from a certain website. You 'subscribe' to this feed (subscribing is not a monetary thing, it simply refers to being on the list for notification), by adding the feed name in your aggregator. Then, when the next podcast is available, the publisher (broadcaster/producer/whatever), send a little signal that is picked up by your aggregator. This then lets you know a new podcast is ready and you can download it.

We should note here that 'podcast' is a generic term. Although iPods have made this technology accessible and hip, you can
play the program on any MP3 player or just listen on your computer; either by download or streaming.

Another note is the new version of iTunes (iTunes 6), that has all this built in. You tell iTunes which feeds to subscribe to, it monitors and then downloads the programs to your computer. this is just like telling your email software when to check for new mail.

If you have an iPod, the next time you plug it in, iTunes will update your iPod. You can use iTunes as a stand alone library and player on your computer as well. That's how you find out about podcasts. Once your audience knows there is a new show, they simply download it to their computer and listen.

So, what can a TV production person use this for?  Well, if you're an independent producer, you could let your clients know what's happening with a podcast.  A broadcast producer can add a podcast to the website for a show. This is an extra way to create an audience and 'value add'. You could run contests or follow up stories on the podcast.

And of course there's advertising. What a great, inexpensive way to capture a target audience!  Click here for the latest on podcast advertising trends...

So that's podcasting in a nutshell.  If you want to learn more, or would like us to set up a podcast for you, simply call or email janet@hullabaloo.com.au