Copyright 2005 Digital Enterprise Research Institute. All rights reserved.

www.deri.org

DM110 Emerging Web Media

Dr. John Breslin

john.breslin@deri.orghttp://sw.deri.org/~jbreslin/

Week 6: Video Podcasting

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Reference material

• Lionel Felix, Damien Stolarz

• “Hands-On Guide to Video Blogging and Podcasting: Emerging Media Tools for Business Communication”

• Focal Press• 24th April 24 2006• ISBN 0-240-80831-2

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Video podcasting, AKA…

• Video blogging• Vidblogging• Vlogging• Vodcasting

– VOD = Video On Demand

• Video casting• Vidcasting

• Vlogosphere – collective term encompassing all “vlogs”• Vlogger – one who creates vlogs

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Video podcasting recap

• Video podcasts are similar to audio podcasts, and can be downloaded to PCs or PMPs

• Some television stations are making episodes of series downloadable for free (e.g. C4’s 4oD) or for a fee

• There are also many free video podcasts (interviews, news, documentaries, behind the scenes, etc.)

• Your own internet TV station…• All you need is a cam!

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Video trends

• “Rise of video downloads threatens gridlock on net”– http://technology.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2010131,00.html– “Despite the relatively small number of users, research indicates

that systems such as BitTorrent are responsible for more than 50% of all internet traffic.”

• “Premium Internet video services to reach $2.6 billion by 2009”– http://www.instat.com/newmk.asp?ID=1478

• “With more than half of adults (53% of consumers 18 and older) stating that they view online video, we're witnessing the early signs of mainstream adoption of Internet video.”– Forrester, 3rd October 2006

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Difference between video downloads and podcasts

• Both video downloads and podcasts can / may have:– Content creation process– Compression using codecs– Multiple file formats– Streaming servers

• DRM or restrictive transfer protocols are not usually a feature of video podcasts, or no-one would bother dling

• Video podcasting differs in that it includes some mechanism for automated download of video files:– RSS subscription– Blogging or CMS software

• Similar publishing to audio podcasting as described last week, and an organic extension to blogging

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Automated downloading of podcasts (Stolarz, Felix)

• More about RSS in three weeks (content syndication)

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Top five video podcasts (from Podcast Alley)

1. The Wood Whisperer– This podcast offers a refreshing look at an age-old craft. Marc delivers solid

woodworking advice with a sense of humor. The show is funny, unapologetic, and smart. Its woodworking with a twist!!

2. Geek Brief TV– GeekBrief.com is a video podcast featuring the gadget loving hottie, Cali Lewis.

The hottest gadget news is delivered to you in 3-5 minute shows 2-5 days a week. Subscribe and vote!

3. Izzy Video: Tutorials ...– Video iPod compatible! Learn how to shoot better Digital Video. Hosted by Israel

Hyman, Izzy Video provides simple techniques to shoot better DV. The videos are short and educational. I hope you enjoy them. Feel free to leave comments on the blog, or email questions and feedback to israelhyman (at) gmail dot com.

4. Along The Road– A weekly video podcast exploring the real issues in life.

5. The JonesCast– Eight people, ten personalities, one house. Fully functioning dysfunctionality.

Disturbingly witty, shockingly frank and more addictive than crack. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop. This show is not for the weak. Can you handle it?

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GeekBrief.tv

• geekbrief.podshow.com– “News about tech tools and

toys”– “Fast, fun, fresh and flirty”

• Launched on 23 December 2005

• Presenters quit their day jobs after five months

• Thousands of downloads per day

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Rocketboom

• Rocketboom episodes are downloaded about 300,000 times each:– Discusses oddities and

assorted animations– Reports on robotics– Unveils digital delights– Samples vlog excerpts– Explores emerging social

movements– Sometimes presents

political commentary, satirical and serious

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Creating video podcasts

• Audio and video sources:– Digital camera / camcorder– Webcam– Mobile phone, etc.

• Access content:– Transfer video files from device– Live capture via USB, TV card, etc.

• Conversion, compression:– Video codecs– Processing tool, e.g. VirtualDub

• Upload to the web (as described last week):– YouTube, Google Video, archive.org, etc.

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Some tips

• Video needs to be fairly short:– Less than 5 minutes is good– 15 minutes is okay– 30 minutes is too long

• Since a lot of video podcasts are similar to “talk radio”, there can be a bit of a learning curve

• Use “podsafe” audio in your videos:– http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/07/download-podsafe-music-in-

mp3-format.html– GarageBand, Magnatune, etc.

• To make money, insert video ads, use Google ads at download site, have a PayPal “tip jar”, Revver “RevTags”

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Video file formats

• You guys probably know more about this than me • When you get a video file, there’s a distinction between

the video file (or the container) and the video (and audio) encoding formats

• “Box types”:– ASF, AVI, MOV, MP4, SWF, FLV, etc.

• “Packing materials”:– Video: WM9, DivX, XviD, Spark, MPEG-4, Sorenson, Real

Video, etc.– Audio: MP3, AAC, WAV, OGG, AIFF, WMA, MP3+, AAC+, etc.

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VirtualDub video editor

• virtualdub.org– “Proof that I had too much free time in college”– Free video capture and processing utility for Windows– Licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL)– Streamlined for fast, linear operations over video– Batch processing capabilities for processing large numbers of

files– Can be extended with third-party video filters– Mainly geared towards processing AVI files, but can read MPEG-

1 and handle sets of BMP images:• There is a modified version that can handle MPEG-2

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VirtualDub helps you get video into your computer

• If your capture device is Video for Windows compatible, then VirtualDub can capture video with it. But VirtualDub isn't your average capture program:– Fractional frame rates. Don't settle for 29 or 30 when you want 29.97– Optimised disk access for more consistent hard disk usage– Create AVI2 (OpenDML) files to break the AVI 2GB barrier and multiple

files to break the FAT32 4GB limit– Integrated volume meter and histogram for input level monitoring– Real-time downsizing, noise reduction, and field swapping– Verbose monitoring, including compression levels, CPU usage, and free

disk space– Access hidden video formats your capture card may support but not

have a setting for, such as 352x480– Keyboard and mouse shortcuts for faster operation. To capture, just hit

F6– Clean interface layout: caption, menu bar, info panel, status bar

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VirtualDub lets you clean up video on your comp

• There are lots of programs that let you "edit" video. And yet, they're frustratingly complex for some of the simplest tasks. VirtualDub isn't an editor application; it's a pre- and post-processor that works as a valuable companion to one:– Reads and writes AVI2 (OpenDML) and multi-segment AVI clips– Integrated MPEG-1 and Motion-JPEG decoders– Remove and replace audio tracks without touching the video– Extensive video filter set, including blur, sharpen, emboss, smooth, 3x3

convolution, flip, resize rotate, brightness/contrast, levels, deinterlace, and threshold

– Bilinear and bicubic resampling -- no blocky resizes or rotates here– Decompress and recompress both audio and video– Remove segments of a video clip and save the rest, without

recompressing– Adjust frame rate, decimate frames, and 3:2 pulldown removal.– Preview the results, with live audio

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VirtualDub screenshot

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VirtualDub filters (from http://neuron2.net/)

• Box Blur Filter• Brightness/Contrast (UI

Enhanced) Filter• Colorize Filter• Decimate Filter• Deflicker Filter• Histogram Equalization Filter• Hotspot Filter• Hue/Saturation/Intensity Filter• Logo Filter• MSharpen Filter• Pan Filter• Pseudocolor Filter

• Red/Green/Blue Adjustment Filter

• Reverse Field Dominance Filter

• Smart Bob Filter• Smart Deinterlacer Filter• Smart Resize Filter• Smart Smoother Filter• Telecide Filter• Unsharp Mask Filter• Windowed Histogram

Equalization Filter• Xsharpen Filter• Zoom Filter

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Free hosting at blip.tv

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Free vlog

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Getting video podcasts

• Programs:– iTunes, FireANT

• Sites:– DAVE.TV, Singingfish,

Brightcove, ManiaTV!, blip.tv, Veoh, Current TV, Blinkx, ChannelBlast, OMN, Ourmedia, Participatory Culture