It is easy to get confused about the differences between web conferencing and webcasting.  At AudioFile Solutions, we record, edit and produce business presentations which can cross the boundaries of both technologies.

I think of web conferencing as a collaboration between many individuals; hands-on training is a good example.  Let’s say your company has developed new software and you want your sales force to learn it before they sell it to others.  A web conference is a great way to demonstrate the software and then allow participants to take control over that software and give it a test drive.

Webcasting, on the other hand, is more of an event broadcast.  It is well suited in the education market—to name just one—which commonly uses it to capture lectures for both live streaming and on-demand playback.  There is no collaboration with webcasting.

At the Audio Video Expo in Denver this year, Terri Douglas and Guy Murrel from Catapult PR-IR discussed these differences in more detail.  Their focus, however, was on webcasting.

According to Terri and Guy, an overarching strong point of webcasting is that it is easy to use.  Companies that sell the hardware (Sonic Foundry, Accordant) supply it as a self-contained briefcase—similar to the nuclear football carried by the U.S. President.

Other key points:

1. High quality
2. Automated production
3. Reasonably priced

Why do customers like webcasting?

1. Enhanced communications with video
2. Reach a wider audience
3. Branded events—logos, colors, and messages
4. Offers a proven ROI

You can get started webcasting by contacting a vendor/service provider like Sonic Foundry, Accordant, BxVideo, Catapult, or OnStream.

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Audio and video production hubs like Los Angeles and New York have their share of conventions and expos that many of us in the Rocky Mountains can’t always attend.  Enter the 2011 Audio Video Expo here in Denver where one can check out the latest multi-thousand dollar video cameras from makers like Sony and JVC, as well as attend free seminars on topics anyone in audio and video production will appreciate.

This year’s AVX began with a keynote by Ryan Van Duzer, an independent, self-described “backpack journalist”—he does it all!

Many television channels—like the Travel Channel—are using Ryan’s productions mainly because it saves them a ton of money.  Why hire a sound recordist, a cameraman and a host when you can have them all for the price of one named Duzer.

In a short 60 minutes, the audience learned four solid tips in a high-energy presentation by Ryan himself.  His main points:

1. Start with your most powerful shot and build the story from there.
2. Get close to your subject to capture good audio, and for the video to translate well to the web.
3. Shorter is better in the age of YouTube.
4. “Lock it down!”.  Don’t shoot everything and everybody.  Focus on your shot and don’t deviate from it.

Ryan’s energy was infectious and concluded with “You can do it!”  Uh, who me?  Thanks for the encouragement, Duzer, but backpack jounalism is for the young.  Go get ’em.

Ryan can be reached via Twitter @Duzer, and at DuzerTV.com.

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