Episode Desktop - Video Compression and Encoding Software

Episode Desktop - Video Compression and Encoding Software

http://www.telestream.net/

Telestream is realitively new to the digital video market but they came in with a bang.  I was first introduced to them at EDUCAUSE when they partnered with Apple to show off their Episode Podcast plug-in for Apples Podcast Producer.

Episode Desktop is a compression and encoding software package that the pros use.  It is easy to use and comes with many presets.  With presests you can tweak them and create your own for the way you want things to work.  This is a fantastic tool, from a fantastic company, who makes a lot of other cool tools.

You might recognize the name from Flip for Mac.  Software for your Mac that allows you to play Windows Media files within Quicktime.

Sorenson Squeeze - Video Compression and Encoding Software

Sorenson Squeeze - Video Compression and Encoding Software

http://www.sorensonmedia.com

Sorenson Squeeze is a great desktop video compression tool for getting video into the format you need and looking good.  It is really easy to use.  It is a professional level tool, but is easy to learn for a novice. There are many presets for you to choose from.  It will even capture video from a camcorder or other video device.

Sorenson Squeeze can even encode one video file to many different formats for you.  Just select the file you want to encode, then choose the presets for the file formats and quality level you want.  Walk away, and the software does all the rest. Easy to set-up watch folders allow you and your staff to simply drop video files into a folder and it will take it from there.

If you are an educational institution, be sure to take advantage of special educational pricing.

GarageBand - Recording Software for the Mac

GarageBand is a fun a powerful piece of software for creating podcasts on the Mac.  It comes with the iLife software.  With GarageBand you can record, mix, add sound effects, gingles, and music (all included or add your own).  

In addition to podcasts, GaragerBand can be used to create your own music by connecting a keyboard, using the instruments, and rythm tracks and sound. 

When you are done you can send the file to iWeb, another tool for creating webpages, or send the song to iTunes for playback.  What is missing is sending the podcast to Podcast Producer.  Come on Apple, make it happen.

 

Audacity - Open Source Software for PC and Mac

Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing audio. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. It is perfect software for recording audio for podcasts on your computer.   Read more