PODCASTING – The Next Revolution
- Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj

“ Want to listen to your favorite radio shows and audio and video programs anytime? Just subscribe to the podcasts you want and iTunes takes care of the rest. Updates occur automatically. New episodes appear like magic. Podcasts sync to your iPod as soon as you dock it. Fast. Easy. Free.” (Advertising text from Apple website.)

The iPod and MP3 players have been around since 2001. As if overnight these players have become a “must-have” things in our lives. But I was either crawling at a snail’s pace to embrace this new technological marvel or was not interested in it. All this changed in January 2007. While in Kalimpong to conduct our annual Youth Campmeeting one of the speakers, my brother, showed me a Christian video cast on his iPod. The video and the superior audio quality impressed me very much. I became an iPod convert. I began to ponder on the idea of using this technology for the furtherance of the gospel and to podcast messages that will prepare the bride of Christ for the Lord’s coming.

During a forty days fast an angelic being appeared before me while I was waiting on the Lord on March 3 , 2007. He glanced at the iPod player lying on the desk beside the bed. He took it in his hand, examined it and said: Podcasting is going to be the next revolution in broadcasting the Word of God. Begin it now.

What is Podcasting?
Although Podcasting is a relatively new, but it has become the latest in on-the-go, on-demand technology. It is delivering audio and video content to iPods and other portable media players on demand, so that it can be listened to at the user's convenience - whenever and wherever they choose. Podcasts are MP3 audio files and MPEG4 video files that are automatically downloaded to your personal computer, and then transferred to an iPod or other MP3 player using a podcasting application. The main benefit of podcasting is that listeners can sync content to their media player and take it with them to listen whenever they want to or anywhere-at home, in the car, at the office, or while you work out at the gym.

Podcasting has been described as TiVo for Internet audio and video, because it lets users save content digitally, and replay it at their convenience. This comparison, though, only addresses the idea of time-shifting, and not the idea that podcasting lowers barriers to entry, creates an alternate distribution model for audio and video content or that it lets publishers extend the reach of Internet content to times when people aren't even connected.

Podcasting is a lot like broadcasting in that a program is created for an audience. The difference is that broadcasting is generally done for a wide audience to tune in – through television, radio, or Internet radio and TV while podcasting is generally designed to target a specific niche. Podcasts require you to sign up or request the information. No more “I missed that show”. Now you can watch and listen to our TV programs anytime and anywhere.

How Do I Use It?
First, you must subscribe to our podcast. This tells your podcast software where to find the audio files. If you are using iTunes, you subscribe by clicking on the “Advanced” tab, and then choosing “Subscribe to Podcast.” You will then enter the URL provided by us. For example, to subscribe to our video podcast, you would enter http://jesusministries.streamguys.net/video_feed.xml, alternatively for audio podcast, you would enter http://jesusministries.streamguys.net/audio_feed.xml,(this information is provided on the page where the audio/video content is available; e.g., on our website you'll find the URL for tv programs at the newly created “Podcasting” page.)

What equipment do I need?
The basic requirements for podcasting are a computer (PC or Mac), podcasting software (like iTunes) and an Internet connection. For portability, an iPod or other MP3 player is needed.

Why MP3?
MP3 is a file-compression technology that has emerged as the most popular format for audio files and has the most support in both software and hardware. Since 1999 we have been creating some our products in MP3 format. We will continue to make all of our audio teachings available in MP3 format. This will allow people from around the world to purchase or download our materials at a reasonable cost (much less than CDs). International and normal shipping charges would double the cost of a product – MP3 downloads would allow us to reach a much larger audience than before. Glory to the most high God!

As technology advances, we want to exploit it for the cause of the gospel of the Lord Jesus. So, stay tuned and keep an eye on our website for new ways we are using technology to proclaim to the world that the Lord Jesus is coming soon.

If you are not yet taking advantage of these new technology gizmos, I encourage you to do so. It is easier than you think.

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