How to create a Video Podcast

[Guy Cochran]

After our own DV Gear Talk Video Podcast, one of the first video podcast in the world got as high as #12 in popularity of all podcasts, people asked for this article:

Video podcasting is the closest thing to having your own TV channel, in some ways better because the content is available on demand, and you can deliver HD video to anyone since the movie download to your hard drive.

It's a true digital revolution! Never before has it been so simple to garner a huge audience by simply submitting your work to this new form of “TV guide.” Think of it that way - only it's indexed and keyword searchable.

You’re just bound to see a huge leap in this technology so we’re here to make it simple for you to get started creating your own distributed video podcast content, or at the very least, we want to get you up to speed in understanding the steps involved.

Today we’re going to look at how to create a video podcast from start to finish. Why? Well, we think there is a few things everyone should know about this new distribution method. The movie is now “on demand,” it’s archived, and once added to your iTunes library, it’s instantly keyword searchable.


1. Shoot great content
We’re going to take this forward assuming you have a project you have already shot and edited. If you need help with steps in pre-production and production, I’d suggest spending 20 bucks and getting the “Shooting Awesome Video” course in the DVcreators University.

http://www.dvcreators.net/shooting-awesome-video/

It goes into pre-production, shooting, lighting and capturing great location audio. If you’d like to see what gear we use in the production of our video podcast click here:

http://dvestore.com/theatre/index.html#gear

Also, read this article:

http://www.dvcreators.net/how-do-i-shoot-for-the-web/
Cool, so let’s move on.


2. Edit
To avoid artifacts, I suggest minimal dissolve transitions – stick to hard cuts. Fast moving motion graphics also tend to fall apart on compressed video. While the data rate is fairly generous and the codec very good, you can still manage to get blocky pixels on high action/high contrast movement. Make your text a bit larger than you normally would so it is legible on a small screen. Also, keep in mind that internet video viewers are click happy and tend to have less patience, try to get to the point faster.


3. Export:
First, you need to export a high quality movie to encode. If you're using Final Cut, we recommend this procedure:

http://www.dvcreators.net/how-do-i-e...quality-movie/


4. Encode:
For encoding, for us there's no other choice than DV Kitchen. No other option gives you the ability to experiment with different settings so you can quickly find the optimum settings for your video.

http://www.dvcreators.net/dv-kitchen/

DV Kitchen will also automatically upload your movie or movies to your server after encoding, saving you a whole step!


5. Create XML doc
The next step is to create the XML file. The XML file is simply a text file that most importantly says, hey, this is the name of the movie, and this is where the movie is located.

You can copy and paste an example XML file at http://playlistmag.com/features/2005...cast/index.php

Simply change:

Title
Subtitle
Description
Summary
QuickTime File location
Duration
Date


6. Distribute
Now the last step is distribution. You’ll need to ask yourself, "Do I want a limited audience to view my content or the entire galaxy?"

For a limited audience you will need to supply the viewer with the direct URL to your XML file. Once they have the URL, in iTunes, under the Advanced menu one can choose Advanced>Subscribe to Podcast and enter in the URL directly. Once subscribed, any of the movies can be downloaded by hitting “Get.”

In the Preferences>Podcasts, you can also choose to Automatically Check for, and download the latest Podcast episodes.

For a larger audience, you’ll want to submit the Podcast to the iTunes directory. To do this, you’ll first need to set-up an iTunes account if you don’t already have one. Once logged in, it’s as simple as going to the Podcast Directory and Submitting your Podcast.

You’re now ready for prime time.

[Demi Barbito]

Guy,

I tried to do it and I'm getting errors when I try to submit to the ITMS.

It is the xml document that I submit right?

Demi

[Demi Barbito]

I've tried everything.

It's not working.

I have a file ready to go:

http://www.demibarbito.com/CSPT_Podcast.m4v

I have an xml document ready to go:

http://www.demibarbito.com/CSPT_Podcast.xml

I'm just not sure what to do now. Do I have to put these on another server besides my own? One with RSS capabilities? How can I submit this to the ITMS?

Thanks

Demi

[Demi Barbito]

At the itms submit page it says:

Error Parsing Feed: Invalid XML

Demi

[Guy Cochran]

Hi Demi,

I can't wait to see your Video Podcast! Try using a different text editor besides Word. We like the shareware app SubEthaEdit
Download it.
Then go back to the playlistmag article and copy and paste the xml file into SubEthaEdit. Now modify the xml doc.
XML is very unforgiving. Make sure you don't accidentally delete a single character such as < or > this will invalidate the whole thing.
Only after you have tested the Podcast in iTunes should you submit it to the Podcast directory.

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions.

[Demi Barbito]

Guy,

The first Podcast is a re-edit of an online video on my site. It's about 6 mins long.

I just uploaded this xml from the program you siggested.

http://www.DemiBarbito.com/CSPT.xml

I'm going to try to upload it to the itms now.

Thanks

Demi

[Demi Barbito]

It worked.

Thanks for your help.

Demi

[Guy Cochran]

Cool! I just checked it - nice work! Keep it up. I look forward to seeing more.

[Demi Barbito]

Guy,

How would you reccomend I out this "link" on my site for those who have Itunes and Video ipods?

Demi

[Guy Cochran]

Once your Video Podcast is in the iTunes Podcast directory, you can "control + click" on the name of your Podcast in iTunes and "Copy iTunes Music Store URL." The URL should look something like this http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...16768&s=143441

[Demi Barbito]

What about in the mean time if I want to post it on my site?

Demi

[Guy Cochran]

It won't be a direct link into iTunes. You'll have to tell them to open iTunes, go to the "Advanced" menu and Subscribe to Podcast with your url
Kinda cheezy that way, I'd say wait a few days for Apple to add you to the Podcast Directory so you get the cool "phobos" link http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...st?id=80616768

[Demi Barbito]

Good idea.

Thanks



Demi

[Guy Cochran]

Final Cut Studio version 5.1 Universal updates the Compressor app with a new Preset for iPod Video. I'm tweaking that setting down to 500kbps and getting great results see http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...16768&s=143441
The HHB FlashMic Podcast episode uses these settings.

[Patrick Mac]

Guy: I have a client (Schlumberger) who has just requested an IPod version of one of the shows I produced for them. I seem to recall the Ipod option in QT conversions, but never had a reason to use it until now.

My question to you is: I do not want to host this Ipod show on my site; I want to send a CD with the Ipod version on it to the webmaster of the Schlumberger site. Will this person need the XML stuff? Or will the reduced version alone be adequate?

I also assume that iPod versions are only good for a linear "start to finish" show as opposed to a DVD w/chapters, right?

Thanks for your advice.

Patrick Mac