How Online Webcast Works
Online webcast is defined as a media file that is accessed by many computer users through the Internet using the streaming media technology. In essence, it is broadcasting over the Internet. Using the streaming media technology, it obtains a single content source and simultaneously distributes it to many listeners or viewers. Some of the organizations that simulcast or broadcast their output are large radio and TV stations. Usually, copyright material that is broadcasted through the Internet should be distributed by entities that have been granted webcasting licensees.
The concept of online webcast was first described and presented by New York GTE Laboratories' Brian Raila in 1989. He used to refer to this technology as buffered media. According to him, a viewer does not need to download an entire program in order to view a portion thereof. He recognized that as long as a viewer has a receiving device, he can gain access to view a portion of a program. James Paschetto, a colleague of Raila in GTE, is credited for creating the first prototype of streaming media.
At present, major broadcasters all over the world, both radio and television, use online webcast for more viewers to have access to their output. Cheap and accessible technology has also contributed to the rise to prominence of independent media. More and more independent shows now do online webcast regularly. Moreover, online webcast is now very popular even to new Internet users and its technology is now in presentations, business meetings and seminars. People who could not be physically in one place can now participate in meetings through this Internet technology. In addition, more and more people can access or view media output as it is available to anyone who is Internet connected.
Online webcast typically starts with the process of taking a video shot using a digital video camera. This shot can either be streamed live or recorded to be edited and broadcasted at a later time. Next, this video feed is then compressed into digital code such as MPEG, Windows Media or Quicktime. After, the compressed signal is encoded for transmissions and playback over an IP network. Then, it can be watched through the Interned either as a live streaming video or a download. Webcast technology can also be used to refer to web conferences or web seminars or webinars. The difference between both is the size of the audience and the amount of interactivity between participants. Generally, web conferences are for groups with ten (10) or fewer people as participants. Web seminars, on the other hand, are for dozens or thousands of attendees where only a few people will be presenting and sharing documents. Most web conference programs use applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Flash Player. Online webcast is useful given that it has a bigger advantage compared to other media. This is, with webcast, audiences absorb more information when they both see and hear it. However, there is one disadvantage to online webcast. This is the limited interactivity in very huge video presentations.
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