Video Podcasts Are One of the Quickest Ways to Get Content On-line

Posted by Derrick on October 9, 2009 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

Video Podcasts are one of the quickest ways to get content on-line.  If you need to start putting videos on-line you should consider this approach.  Today is a new day for video editors.  Many video editors and professionals are now being tasked with getting streaming content on-line along with the continuation of other video production duties.  In order to simplify your workflow you should consider creating a Video Podcast.  You can go this route if downloadable streaming videos work for your delivery and if you can sell your organization on the benefit of having videos available for view in iTunes, on Video iPods and on iPhones.

Once your Video Podcast is set-up the process for updating new video content is easy.

If your are fortunate to have a version of Sorenson Squeeze 5 Pro around which supports compression presets for Video iPods, updating on-line content becomes a very quick and simple process.  Since you can use Squeeze’s automatic FTP feature there’s short list of what you’ll need to do to get your content on-line:

Here’s a short tutorial of the process for adding videos to your Video Podcast.

Step 1. Import your video into Sorenson Squeeze 5 Pro
Step 2. Apply one of the Video iPod presets
Step 3. Apply the appropriate filters for encoding

Step 4. Apply the Copy to FTP filter to your video source

Step 5. Double click the Copy to FTP filter to adjust the settings

Step 6. – Now that the Copy to FTP dialog is open you can adjust the settings.  Using this feature will automatically transfer a copy of your output file to your web server after encoding.  To use this feature you have to have an FTP account set-up for uploading videos to your web server.  Go ahead and fill out the required information which includes: User Name, Password, Host and Path to your videos.  Once your information has been typed in click the Test button and you should see a message that displays “Test was successful”

Step 7. – Once encoding is complete your video will be automatically uploaded to your web server.  Open up Blogger or the tool you’re using as the blog to your Video Podcast.   Add the URL for your video.  Look at the image above to see how to add your URL information.   Once you save and publish your blog page your video will be available via your Video Podcast.  Sometimes it might take a few minutes to appear.

It’s that simple.  Now you see why I say Video Podcasts are one of the quickest ways to get video content on-line.

Encoding for a Video Podcast

Posted by Derrick on September 8, 2009 under Video Streaming and Compression | Be the First to Comment

When encoding for a Video Podcast keep in mind you’re encoding for a Web Server.  Why?  Video Podcast videos and audio files are technical downloadable streaming files.  The downloading process mostly happens behind the scenes while you’re performing other tasks.  Video Podcast files are great in that you can provide them at very high quality since you’re targeting iTunes, Video iPods and iPhones.

Now, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be using 2-Pass VBR or Multi-pass encoding when compressing your Video Podcast files.  Many times because of time you can opt for 2-Pass VBR encoding since Multi-pass generally uses about 5-6 passes.

Apple Launches iTunes Store in Mexico

Posted by Derrick on August 6, 2009 under Video Streaming and Compression | Comments are off for this article

Apple® announced the launch of the iTunes® Store in Mexico with an incredible selection of Mexican and international music from all the major labels and hundreds of independent labels. Launching with a catalog of millions of songs, the iTunes Store in Mexico features Mexican artists including Paulina Rubio, Vicente Fernández and Zoé and a wide range of international artists including Shakira, Lady Gaga, Green Day and thousands more. With most songs priced at 12 pesos and most albums at 120 pesos, the iTunes Store in Mexico is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online.

“The iTunes Store in Mexico is off to a great start with music from all of the majors and hundreds of indie labels,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Internet Services. “And the revolutionary App Store in Mexico gets bigger and better with great new apps using amazing new features, and we can’t wait to see what developers come up with next.”

The iTunes Store in Mexico joins the revolutionary App Store, which has more than 65,000 applications available to consumers in 77 countries, reaching tens of millions of iPhone™ and iPod touch® users around the world. Customers have downloaded more than 1.5 billion apps and the recently released iPhone OS 3.0 software update includes over 100 new features like Cut, Copy and Paste; Spotlight® search; landscape keyboard and view; and expanded parental controls. Apps from the App Store work with both iPod touch and iPhone, including the new iPhone 3GS, the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet.

The iTunes Store offers music from all of the major labels and hundreds of independent labels including Warner Music, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music and Universal Music Group. All music on iTunes is available in iTunes Plus, Apple’s DRM-free format with high-quality 256 kbps AAC encoding for audio quality virtually indistinguishable from the original recordings. iTunes customers can also choose to download their favorite songs from the world’s largest online music catalog directly onto their iPhone over their 3G network for the same price as downloading to their computer. A great selection of music videos is also available for purchase and download, with most priced at 24 pesos.

Apple has made it easy for music fans in Mexico to purchase and enjoy music with iTunes Gift Cards, which can be purchased at national retailers including Liverpool, Mixup, Office Depot, El Palacio de Hierro, Sanborns and also at iShop, iStore and MacStore locations. iTunes Gift Cards are available in denominations of 200, 300 and 600 pesos.

Available starting today, exclusively on iTunes, fans can Countdown to the release of highly-anticipated new albums from Nelly Furtado, Sean Kingston and Jesse & Joy by purchasing and downloading advance songs from the albums as they are released on iTunes. Fans can then buy the albums on their release date at a reduced price based on songs they’ve already purchased with Complete My Album. Also, exclusive iTunes Live Sessions are available from Mexican artists including Plastilina Mosh and Motel, and also from a wide selection of international artists. And the iTunes Podcast Directory features over 150,000 free podcasts, including featured Mexican podcasts from Televisa, MVS Televisión, El Universal and Grupo Reforma.

With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless integration with iPod® and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.