Tell Me More: Video Webcast

With a video webcast, you can display a presentation to any individual or group right over the Internet. A webcast is a useful application that incorporates both video and sound and allows you to reach hundreds of people at once over the Internet. All someone needs to view a video webcast is access to a media player – typically Windows Media Player or RealPlayer – and a link to the presentation through your web site or in an email.

Video webcasting is a powerful medium that can help you explain purchasing options, conduct sales and product demonstrations, raise brand awareness, and broadcast company announcements. You simply let your audience know when you will broadcast, how they may view it, and the material covered.

Anyone can deliver or view a video webcast and the basic components couldn’t be simpler. All you need is a computer and an input device – text sound cards or a basic wireless microphone for sound, and a video capture card or video camera for the visual component. You may also need encoding software to convert your video to a streaming media format, a tripod to position the camera, and a high-speed Internet network connection.

Of course, not everyone can view a video webcast as it happens. That’s where the power of archiving comes in. You can film and present your webcast, archive it to your website or the website of your provider, and allow visitors to view the program whenever they want. Plus, since it’s no longer live, someone can jump ahead to a particular part of the presentation to view only the material of interest.