As more and more PowerPoint users incorporate video and video backgrounds into presentations, it’s more important than ever that it’s done in a way that produces eye-catching and effective results. Adding video and video backgrounds to PowerPoint can be a bit tricky for the uninitiated, so this article gives seven quick and simple tips for using video backgrounds successfully in a PowerPoint presentation.
1. Be Sure the Video Background Motion Isn’t Too Fast
One of the biggest issues with poorly executed PowerPoint presentations that incorporate video backgrounds is the speed of the video background itself. It’s easy to over design a PowerPoint presentation that uses a video background. I’ve seen many examples of PowerPoint presentations with looping video backgrounds that distract from the presentation itself. So a key reminder is to use video backgrounds that are slow to medium in the speed of animation and motion. That way your text and other PowerPoint presentation elements will remain the focus – and not the fast-moving animation of the video background.
2. Choose Video Backgrounds That Support Your PowerPoint Presentation
As with any “new toy” so to speak, PowerPoint designers can fall into the trap of adding video backgrounds and video elements that have nothing to do with the subject or theme of the PowerPoint presentation. Adding video backgrounds that don’t connect with the presentation theme can be a presentation killer and distract the audience from what you’re hoping to communicate. So remember to choose video backgrounds and video that augments and supports the presentation. Choosing relevant video backgrounds helps you to communicate more effectively during your presentation. Although it can be tempting at first, it’s never a good idea to use video and video backgrounds just to show off your ability to include video for video’s sake.
3. Choose Uncluttered Design That Doesn't Compete with PowerPoint Text
Another important key reminder is to choose video backgrounds that are primarily uncluttered so that you have ample available space to include your presentation text and other graphic elements. If you use complex video backgrounds with too many animation and design elements, it can once again compete with your text and presentation itself. An uncluttered video background with slight movement goes a long way to enhance an otherwise plain PowerPoint presentation. You don’t need a lot of design and movement to be eye catching.
4. Select Looping Video Backgrounds
When selecting video backgrounds to incorporate into your PowerPoint presentation be sure the video background seamlessly loops. This is a featured added to many of the professionally designed video backgrounds available in the marketplace. Essentially seamlessly looping video backgrounds can be played back continuously without detecting where its loop point is when viewing. This offers you a great advantage as a PowerPoint presenter. During your presentation you can be parked on any particular slide and have the video background continuously looping in the background. The result: eye-catching motion that enhances communication during your presentation.
5. The Right Encoding (and Plugin) for Playback
It’s important to note that to include (and import) video or video backgrounds into your presentation the file must be one that is accepted by PowerPoint. The typical files that PowerPoint works with are AVI, MPEG and Windows Media (WMV). I recommend using WMV files since it’s a file type created and supported by Microsoft itself, which is always a good benefit. So you must take your original video background files and be sure to convert (encode) them to one of the three file types mentioned above. When encoding the files for playback in PowerPoint be sure to remember the following specifications (and do a lot of testing):
• 640 x 480 (Large, 4:3 aspect ratio) or 960x540 (Large, 16x9 aspect ratio) or 640x360 (Small, 16:9 aspect ratio)
• 15 fps (frames per second)
• Medium to High Video Quality
• Test different settings to get the quality and performance you're looking for. The settings you choose will depend on the speed of your computer.
Also if you want to use video or video backgrounds as a layer that you will put text and other graphics over, you’ll need to purchase a third-party plug-in that allows you to do this within PowerPoint. There are video background plug-ins for PowerPoint easily found by searching the web. Try searching: PowerPoint Video background Plugin (or some variation of these keywords)and you’ll discover new ways to pump up your presentations with dynamic video backgrounds.
6. Use Video Backgrounds Optimized for PowerPoint
If you don’t think you’re up for encoding and converting video backgrounds into the required file type to work within PowerPoint, don’t fear! You can search for and purchase video backgrounds that have already been optimized (encoded) to work within PowerPoint. This can be a big benefit to you because someone else has already spent the time to encode the video background properly (i.e., file type, frame rate, bit rate, etc…) and all you have to do is import into PowerPoint. Try searching on the following keywords to find video backgrounds already optimized to work within PowerPoint: PowerPoint Optimized Video Loops (or search on some variation of these keywords).
7. Do Testing with Free Video Backgrounds Available on the Web
If you currently don’t have any video backgrounds in your library or PowerPoint toolbox, consider searching the web for free PowerPoint video backgrounds that you can use to do some testing in PowerPoint. Try searching on the following keywords: Free Stock Motion for PowerPoint Presentation or other keywords incorporating “Free” “PowerPoint” “Motion” “Loops” (or some variation of these words). You’ll be surprised how many stock footage and video background websites offer sample free clips for you to download and test out in your PowerPoint project.
In conclusion, there are several considerations to take into account when designing a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates video and video backgrounds. The main key to remember is to always make clear communication the number one priority when building your PowerPoint deck – and only use video backgrounds to augment and enhance the effectiveness of your presentation.
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