Podcasting Hardware

Using PDA's to create video podcast content

PDA’s are increasingly common in schools.

Advantages:

• PDA’s small size and portability allows recordings to be made in virtually any location
• Ease of transfer of recording from PDA to computer
• Using an iPod -VOICEthread ...

Disadvantages: Built in microphones usually are of poor quality

Using Webcams to create audio podcast content

Webcams can be used to record audio

Advatages: Webcams can record audio in good quality.

Disadvantages

• You usually have to separate the audio track from the video file that a webcam creates.
• Most webcam have to be directly connected to the computer to function.

​Using Mobile Phones to create audio podcast content

Examples of how Mobile Phones can be used to make quick and easy audio recordings.

Many mobile phones have built in recording facilities

Advantages

• Quick and easy to use
• Transfer of files can be very easy using data storage cards from the phone to the computer
• Small size and portability allows recordings to be made in virtually any location

Disadvantages

• Sound quality is variable
• Mobile phone use in schools maybe against school policies

Using Video Camera for audio content creation

Video cameras can record in good sound quality – although they can pick up motor notice from the camera its self.

Advantages: Video cameras used with an external microphone can record very high quality audio

Disadvantages: Not all video cameras have an external microphone socket

Using built in microphones to create audio podcast content

Many modern computers and especially laptops have built in microphones

Advantages: Quick and easy to use

Disadvantage: Usually poor sound quality

Setting up your PC microphone / MAC microphone

​Using external microphones to create audio podcast content

External microphones will help you record in much higher quality than microphones built into computers.

There are a number of dedicated podcasting USB microphones available that can give excellent results.

They and could represent good value for money if you make a lot of recordings.

You need to also consder the acoustics of the room that you are recording in and the sound level you record at  - these are all factors that affect the ultimate quality of the recording.

An example of an external microphone