Webcasting

A webcast is a media presentation distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology to distribute a single content source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand. Essentially, webcasting is “broadcasting” over the Internet.

Webcasting, also called streaming, is a way to distribute a recording of a class or event over the internet. This is video and/or audio of a class or event you can view live on your desktop or laptop computer using a Flash media player. All live classes or events can be archived for viewing on-demand anywhere, anytime.  You can also choose to have an archive only version of your recording for situations in which you want to control the timing of access to the recording.

The largest "webcasters" include existing radio and TV stations, who "simulcast" their output through online TV or online radio streaming, as well as a multitude of Internet only "stations". The term webcasting usually refers to non-interactive linear streams or events. Rights and licensing bodies offer specific "webcasting licenses" to those wishing to carry out Internet broadcasting using copyrighted material.

Webcasting is also used extensively in the commercial sector for investor relations presentations (such as Annual General Meetings), in E-learning (to transmit seminars), and for related communications activities. However, webcasting does not bear much, if any, relationship to web conferencing, which is designed for many-to-many interaction.

The ability to webcast using cheap/accessible technology has allowed independent media to flourish. There are many notable independent shows that broadcast regularly online. Often produced by average citizens in their homes they cover many interests and topics. Webcasts relating to computers, technology, and news are particularly popular and many new shows are added regularly.

Webcasts are very similar to attending online seminars also known as webinars or online events. Like webcast solutions, webinar services which include recording webinars require webinar software. There are many webinar providers who provide webinar support. In the case of webcast, anyone can register and participate in these virtual events. The broadcast may be presented either as streaming media or as a downloadable file. They are suitable for virtual events and video webcasts.

In Webcasting, technology may be used to send data to a web user, without the user requesting for it. This is referred to as “push” technology, and is in contrast to “pull” technology, where a browser must request for a web page if the user wishes to view it. Broadcasting works on push technology as information is sent even if there is no one tuning in. E-mail is perhaps one of the oldest examples of push technology over internet, as e-mails are received when the sender pushes them to the receiver. The receiver will perforce receive the email whether he wants to or not.

Video Webcasts are usually non-interactive. In this sense, webcasting is different from web conferencing, where many-to-many interaction is possible. Specific webcasting licenses or rights have to be obtained from the appropriate bodies before carrying out internet broadcasting of material that is copyrighted. Webcast recording is also possible.

Existing TV and radio stations are usually the largest webcasters. In this case, output is usually simulcast – which is a short form of "simultaneous broadcast". This happens when events or programmes are broadcast over many media at the same time, or having more than one service using the same medium at the same time.