VideoPodcast
Latest
TiVo turns on custom RSS video feed support
More than a year after dropping video podcast support into TiVo Desktop 2.6, the company will let users download them directly to their Series3, TiVo HD and HD XL set-top boxes. This allows expansion beyond its own directory of web videos, allowing users to stream instantly, download a single episode, or setup a Season Pass (subscription) and download them automatically. As Dave Zatz points out the press release mentions supporting h.264, but offers no specifics on resolution or bitrate. Check out TiVo's site for more info on setting it up either through the box or creating a compatible feed, and let us know if your preferred web series are working yet. [Via Zatz Not Funny]
Miro 2.0 revamps interface and improves performance
Miro, the open-source video client and podcatcher, has hit version 2.0. In addition to a revamped interface and various performance improvements in viewing and downloading, the new version also adds support for streaming shows on Hulu, CBS, etc. as well as audio podcasts.As before Miro features a comprehensive content guide, YouTube downloading, and a built-in bittorrent client. Although you can cobble together most of Miro's functionality with other software, perhaps its biggest advantage is bringing together a bunch of disparate video sources from around the internet (many of them in HD) and putting them in a single, convenient interface. Miro is a free download from the Participatory Culture Foundation.
Where do Blu-ray and HD DVD discs come from?
Surprisingly enough, blue laser media isn't the result of a licensing deal with Gargamel and the subsequent disappearance of the Smurf population. Imation and Memorex have produced a short (14 minute, 68MB) video podcast about their facility in Minnesota producing Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Sure there's quite a bit of marketing fluff, but by fast forwarding to the last few minutes, there's some interesting information about manufacturing blue laser discs. From the original master recording, to the plants ability to produce either format depending on the coating applied to the disc. Maybe once supporters of both sides see both formats come from the same place, they'll see we all aren't really that different. Can't Blu-ray and HD DVD just get along?
Getting a podcast listed on iTunes
If you've gone to the trouble of creating a podcast, you're probably going to want to have it listed at iTMS. Whether and when that might happen is anyone's guess. Be prepared for some anxiety time as you wait a week or so to see if your podcast is accepted. Even if it is accepted, it won't necessarily show up on iTunes right away.I just went through the process myself. It took six days from the time I submitted to iTunes to the time my video podcast (iTunes link -- finally) appeared on the iTunes Music Store. During that time, I wasn't sure if there was some problem with my RSS feed, whether I'd used the right tags, or whether the delay was just part of the iTMS submission process. I finally got a form email from Apple telling me that my submission had been accepted, but it took another day after that for the podcast to show up in an iTunes search.If you're going through the iTunes submission process, the iTunes tech specs and the Apple Discussions Forum for podcast producers may help you figure out the process. But be prepared to wait.8/23/06 Update: After reviewing my records, it looks like there were fewer days than I'd originally figured between my submission to iTunes and the day I got my approval email. It came down to one business day because there was a weekend in between, with another day before the podcast came up in an iTunes search. My apologies to the good folks at iTunes. More news since I wrote this post -- my stats show that the majority of my podcast's hits have come through iTunes. So I'd say it's definitely worth submitting your podcasts to iTMS.
The ultimate collection of video podcasts
After weeks of delay, it's finally done: the ultimate collection of video podcasts, compatible with your PSP... and accessible from your PSP! I've taken all the podcasts that were already featured on the site, took your suggestions, and even found some more. Then, to sweeten the deal, I put it on my personal PSP-compatible page. To access it on your PSP, simply type anyo.org into your PSP browser. It'll take you where you need to go. For all the RSS feeds that I found, go past the cut.[Thanks to everyone who contribued!]
2.80 Blowout: Video podcasts [Update 2]
So, you know that "video podcasts" are the big new thing about this new firmware. But what are they? How do they worK? Sony has provided a pretty clear website that you can browse on your PSP. It even includes a sample RSS feed from which you can download music and videos from. Try using the website to get a good feel for it. Visit the following URL:http://www.playstation.com/manual/psp/rss/en/index.htmlThen, if you'd like to add more video podcasts, visit the ultimate collection of video podcasts story.
Cars video podcast
Who doesn't like Pixar movies? The latest effort from our favorite part of Disney is 'Cars.' I know, I know this isn't exactly breaking news but the fine folks at Pixar have created a video podcast chronicling different parts of the movie, and it is available via iTunes.[via Luxo]
Jack Black video podcasts in iTunes
Fresh from slaying Kong (beauty didn't kill the beast, Jack, you did), Jack Black is busy filming his next movie, Nacho Libre. If you can't wait until the movie opens on June 2nd to see what Jack is up to, you may want to check out his video podcast, Jack Black's Nacho Libre Confessional [iTunes link]. Starting on March 15th, Jack will upload two weekly, iTMS-exclusive video podcasts (every Tuesday and Thursday) that are all about the making of the film. The first one is mildly amusing. If you're a Jack Black fan, check them out.
First paid movie subscription podcast
Back in November, we interviewed Canadian filmmaker Kray Mitchell of emotion entertainment upon the release of CrookZ, the first short film to be released as a vodcast in iTunes. Kray's intention was to make his film available to a great number of people with minimal fuss, but Skinny Bones Productions have something different in mind.Their feature-length film On the Cutting Room Floor is being made available as a serial. For $2US per month, subscribers will receive a 5-10 minute chunk of the film as a podcast. There will be a total of twelve episodes.I enjoy seeing people using iPods and podcasting and new and interesting ways. Good luck to the folks at Skinny Bones.
Video podcasting the Super Bowl ads
So, have you selected your favorite Super Bowl ad? I liked the giant monster and robot who gave birth to the Hummer. Yeah, it was creepy, but I laughed at the tagline, "It's a little monster."If you still haven't made your selection, you can review all of the commercials via this video podcast set up by Podcasting News. Unlike ESPN's Sports Center, you don't have to pay to watch these commercials.*Descriptions, links, and complete coverage of the Super Bowl 2006 ads can also be found by our friends over at AdJab. Check out their extensive coverage here.*Yes, I realize the Sports Center ads are free now.[Via Micro Persuasion]
iTunes goes high fashion with Karl Lagerfeld
As anyone who attends FIT in New York City knows, next week begins Fashion Week in the big apple. Designer Karl Lagerfeld will end his contribution to the week's events by making the Karl Lagerfeld/Lagerfeld Collection shows available as video podcasts in the iTunes Music Store. While you're at it, Karl, please explain to CBS why distributing content via iTunes is a good idea.According to the press release, the shows will be shot in HD and edited on-site using Final Cut Pro. Also, Aperture will be used to allow Karl to make last-minute wardrobe decisions. Before you download the podcast, though, make sure your iPod is appropriately togged out for the occasion.[Via MacMinute]
Find iPod videos with SearchForVideo
SearchForVideo is a new service that scours the internet for iPod-compatible videos. All sorts of genres are represented, from humor to current events. There's also a video podcast, of course [link]. Choose the type of content you're interested in and be directed to the proper link in iTunes. Of course, most of these clips are culled from the net using criteria that I'm unaware of, so you're going to get some odd stuff. I chose to subscribe to the "humor" podcast, and the video I received was...interesting, to be polite (not entirely safe for work). If you simply can't cram enough video onto your iPod, visit SearchForVideo.[Via Macworld UK]
Apple posts podcast tutorials
Now this is pretty cool: Apple has posted a series of eight video podcasts to the iTunes Music Store [link] that explain how to make a great podcast (both audio and video) with iLife '06. Topics include setting recording levels in GarageBand, making use of introductory music and sound effects, adding web links and images and editing video with iMovie HD.Check out these video tutorials, they contain some useful information.[Via Micro Persuasion]
