Do you need an iPod to listen to podcasts? (1 Viewer)

[MarkHastings]

Chris, my company was doing that for IBM back in the late 90's. They'd have a live seminar, we'd record it, then provide it online for those who missed the seminar.

They used to be called "Web Replays". Again, that's why I was a bit confused because it only really seems like the name has changed.

Actually, I think the real thing has to do with all the 'new' people who are getting into computers...they aren't familiar with what was around in the early days. Now, all of a sudden, the web makers are finding new ways to repackage old ideas and sell it to the newbies.

I'm not saying it's wrong, I just find it funny. It's like everyone has somehow stumbled onto this new/hip thing.

But of course, all of us older tech-geeks here have known about this stuff back in 'the day'.

 

[matt bee]

Out of curiosity, how large do podcast files tend to be?

There are a few podcasts out there that I wouldn't mind checking out, but I don't have the luxury of broadband at my house. It would probably take me a week to dowload one.

Oh the joys of living in the stone age...

 

[DaveF]

Adam nailed it: the improved ease of use is the "killer app" of Podcasting. And I'll add that the aggregation and automatic management features take them from mere sound files to a new way of listening to audio programming.

The big deal for me is the wonderfully integrated system iTunes provides. Online is a simple directory of Podcasts. And better than manual downloads, I can subscribe and iTunes gets new files for me. With smart playlists, I have a current list of Podcasts I've not yet listened to on my iPod. I just have to synch my iPod periodically and I always have current, new PodCasts. Fantastic!

 

[Mike Slade]

Not sure about how they all are but, The Ricky Gervais Show, which runs about 30 minutes, is about a 14MB file. The bit rate is 56kbps.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Since the formats and bitrates vary, obviously the size will as well. I code the feed and manage the files for a podcast (http://www.onyourplate.net : if you dare!) and we tend to run ~20 MB an episode, with a 20 minute runtime at 128 kb/sec. Battlestar Galactica commentaries by contrast run around the same files size with a 43 minute runtime at 56 kb/sec. Basically, if a file can be enclosed in a feed, it's up to the encoder for all of the particulars.

Anything over 20 MB tends to be problematic if you put out new episodes regularly.