What is a vodcast?
A vodcast, simply put, is a podcast with video content or video files created with the intent of sharing and downloading the video file to other computers or mobile devices. As technology continues to improve and become cheaper, this media format increases in popularity and availability.
Vodcast Format
Recording
A vodcast can be recorded in many different ways. Regardless of the method used, however, various types of equipment and software are typically needed.
Equipment
At the least, some method of video and audio capture is required to produce a vodcast. This could be done using a handheld video recorder or a webcam and microphone. The decision of which to use is important as they will both have different software options available to them.
Camcorders
Camcorders are handheld electronic devices that specialize in recording video. As one of the more expensive pieces of equipment, the camcorders do provide some of the highest potential quality for video capture, as well as audio capture with internal microphones or attachments. Camcorders can be bought for a little under US$200 and up into the thousands of dollars. Camcorders often also require batteries, memory cards (or disks), as well as more optional pieces of equipment like tripods that can add additional costs. It should be noted that one of the advantages of a camcorder is their ease of use in many different environments where computers with webcams may be more cumbersome or impractical.
Examples
Those interested in camcorders can find a range of devices like the Sony HDR CX190 or the Kodak PlaySport which vary in size, shape and features -- such as being waterproof.
Webcams
Webcams are video capture devices that are used in conjunction with a computer that often provides the webcam with power and a hard disk to save any recorded video onto. The cheapest video capture option of the two presented here, webcams can be purchased for under US$20. Many webcams offer high-definition recording (720p+) and have built-in microphones to record audio. These days many laptops will come with integrated webcams, allowing the owner to start vodcasting or doing video calls nearly immediately. While being very affordable, they do have the disadvantages of not being as versatile in their potential recording environments or not being quite as high quality as camcorders.
Examples
Those interested in using a webcam can find a wide variety of products in an equally wide range of prices, like the Logitech HD Webcam 310 or the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920. The feature list tends to be a bit smaller than that of camcorders, but video quality can differ greatly.
Microphones
While many webcams do have integrated microphones, you may wish to purchase a separate microphone in order to increase the quality of the audio being recorded. Microphones tend to come in two different varieties: headsets and stand alone.
Headsets
This type of microphone is usually attached to a pair of headphones and worn on the users head, allowing the microphone to be fixed a short distance from the speaker's mouth. The price of headsets varies greatly, though they are often very affordable. The audio quality, like the price, also varies greatly with the more expensive headsets providing clearer audio. Also of note are the two types of connectors used by headsets to connect to computers: USB and 3.5mm. There is typically not much difference between these two, unless a separate sound card is being used (which will typically warrant using 3.5mm).
Examples
Those looking for headsets will likely spend a decent bit of time sorting through the options available. A headset like the Plantronics Audio 478 is on the cheaper end and uses a USB connection, while the Logitech G230 uses 3.5mm and is a bit more expensive. Different headsets also include different features, like in-line sound controls, noise cancelling, and folding or removable mics, among others.
Stand Alone Microphones
These microphones are, as the heading implies, by themselves and tend to focus on having higher audio quality. These are the microphones that people who tend to do a lot of podcasting, vodcasting, or other recording-based activity will favor. While there is a wide range of prices and qualities available, they do tend to be a bit higher in both than headsets, though lacking the built-in speakers and wear-ability of the headsets. Microphones also have various means of connecting to a computer or other audio equipment, but, for the purposes of general vodcasting, a USB connection will most likely be used. One feature to look out for when purchasing a microphone is a cardioid polar pattern which, basically, just means that the microphone picks up noise coming from the front and not from the sides or back (or not as much). This helps create a cleaner audio sample, especially if the recording environment is a bit noisy.
Examples
Those interested in a stand alone microphone will find a variety of shapes and sizes, qualities and prices to choose from. For a more traditional and affordable approach, there is the Audio-Technica ATR2100 that uses USB or XLR connections. And for something a bit different, and a bit more expensive, there is the Blue Microphones Snowball that is also USB based. Both of the example microphones do come with their own stands and USB cables, though it is important to note that this may not always be the case.
Software
The software needed for recording will most likely revolve around the formatting of the recorded video. However, if you decide to use a webcam you will also need software to capture the video to your computer's hard disk. Thankfully, most webcams come with their own software that can handle this.
Capturing Group Video
Vodcasting does not have to be a solo experience. Using such services as Skype or Google+ Hangouts a group can create a vodcast together remotely, over the internet. In the case of Google+ Hangouts', the Hangout can be recorded automatically without the need for further editing or software. Skype, on the other hand, does require a separate program like Evaer to record the video and audio of the Skype call, which can then be edited in a different program.
Editing Video
With the exception of the Google+ Hangouts, most video will require some editing before it can be published. To aid in this endeavor are a variety of programs that can fully edit a video, like Sony's Movie Studio, Adobe Premier Elements, or Apple's Final Cut Pro X. If you feel your video does not need the full editing treatment and you just wish to compress it down for uploading, there are free programs around to help with that, like Handbrake that can convert and compress a video so it will be accepted by the various internet video publishing platforms, like YouTube.
Preparing Video for Uploading
Publishing
There are many ways to publish your vodcast, including services such as YouTube and Vimeo. Other options include using your own web hosting and video player such as JWPlayer.