(A slightly different version was posted on my other blog)

One of the key features of today’s web, especially when it comes to audio and video is being able to use the distribution power of the internet as a viral means of spreading media. The Splashcast player is an embeddable Flash-based player that can be used to embed mixed-media channels on any website. Typically these are audio and video programs, podcasts, etc, but you can use images and other media types as well. The ability to directly pull in RSS feeds makes is very easy to distribute podcasts. Anyone can copy the embed code of a player or show and incorporate it into their own website or blog, making it truly viral. The Splashcast Facebook app was among the first ones that became available on the then new Facebook platform, and is quite popular.

The email I received earlier today is included below. Features that I really like are in bold

A shiny new version of the SplashCast player is heading your way tomorrow, Thursday August 30th! Thanks to all of you who have provided feedback and suggestions the last few months. Your input has been extremely helpful!

In addition to the snazzy new look, here’s a list of new features in the SplashCast player:

1. Video, Audio, or Text Comments - For any item in a show, viewers can now record or upload a video or audio comment as well as leave a text comment. When comments are added, you will receive notification via email. When publishing a show from the SplashCast console, you can disable the comment feature if desired. As an added bonus, all the audio and video comments added to your channel will be available by searching the SplashCast console where you can create a “Best of Comments Show” Your viewers will love to have you feature them!

2. Easier item navigation - Whether your show has 3 or 30 items you can now start a show and quickly scroll over the item thumbnails or click a thumbnail to go directly to a particular item.

3. Captions - New captions box displays the Name of each item in your show. Log in to the SplashCast console to change the names of your items. Because, ya know, “D32165″ as a name is just not that catchy. As always, the player fades away after a few seconds, but if you prefer, you can always close the caption box while navigating through the items if desired.

4. Full Screen button - Right there in the player! No need to create your own “full view” link anymore.

5. Pause/Play button - Pause actually pauses everything now… even background music.

6. Send button - Email friends and family a link directly to your favorite item or to an entire show.

7. Follow Me - Family, friends and fans can now “follow you”. No… these aren’t stalkers. These are people who want to be notified via email whenever you publish a new show. This is for those folks who haven’t caught the RSS fever yet. By clicking the Info button on bottom right you can access the new “follow me” link.

A player with some of my favorite science and technology shows, including podcasts from TechBizMedia is embedded below.

Further reading:
Splashcast blog

Technorati Tags: Splashcast, Video