How to Webcast From Home

Webcast video captured on your webcam.

Webasting is a method of providing audio or video content over the Internet. It differs from podcasting in that content is streamed to the audience rather than downloaded. This means that viewers can only see your webcast over the Internet and cannot download it to watch later. You can webcast live, post webcasts for viewing later or both. Existing services will allow you to do either with no more investment than a webcam, microphone and broadband Internet connection.

Things You'll Need

• Webcam
• Microphone
• Broadband Internet connection

Instructions

1. Connect your webcam to your computer if you want to create a video webcast. Webcams are usually USB devices so you will simply plug it in to an open USB port. Install any drivers or software that came with your webcam. These are necessary for your webcam to work properly with your computer.

2. Connect your microphone to your computer, if your webcam does not include one. Again, install any drivers or software provided with your microphone to ensure it will function properly.

3. Register with a webcast hosting site. There are many free sites available where you can host webcasts and broadcast live, including Freedocast, UStream and blogTV.

4. Script your webcast and prepare any props you want to use. This is particularly important with live webcasting because you will have no opportunity to pause during broadcasting or edit your webcast before it goes live.

5. Set up your camera to capture your webcast, for example, by centering yourself in the picture or pointing it toward your visuals.

6. Click the button on your chosen webcast hosting site that says broadcast now, or start broadcasting. Name your webcast and provide a description. Click start to begin your first live webcast. You should see on your screen what is being captured and webcast live. Click stop to end your webcast. These sites will then give you the option to save your webcast so viewers can watch it later.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also upload any video as a webcast to sites like YouTube or MegaVideo.

References

• UNC.edu: What is Webcasting?

Resources

• Freedocast
• UStream
• blogTV