Follow These Four Easy Steps for Adding Video Backgrounds to PowerPoint 1.Convert your QuickTime video background video clip(s) to a format supported by PowerPoint: AVI, MPEG and WMV. We recommend WMV.
2. Use Microsoft's Windows Media Encoder or Flip4mac.com WMV Studio to convert your QuickTime file(s) to WMV
3. Create your new WMV video background clip(s) using these specifications:
640 x 480 resolution, 4:3 (Currently this offers the most stable playback. If using 16:9 source material you'll need to convert the 16:9 video to 4:3 letterbox when converting to 640x480).
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.
4. Use a video background player plugin to import and play your WMV video background clips within PowerPoint. There are two leading options to choose from in the marketplace for PowerPoint® video background plugins. Each allows users to import WMV video (and other formats) into PowerPoint® and add text over the video.
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.
There are more stock footage video clips than ever before but that doesn't mean there is consistent quality with each stock footage clip you search for. There is a vast array of options and choices when hunting for the perfect stock footage clip to use in a video, advertising or PowerPoint presentation project. Searching for a stock footage clip that fits the bill in terms of subject matter and quality of execution can often times be tedious and frustrating. Below is a list of ten tips for picking a great stock footage clip for your next project.
1. Composition
Every great stock footage video clip starts with eye-catching composition. Composition includes the way in which the visual subject is constructed and placed within the frame. More standard composition places the subject in the center of the frame and uses symmetry and balance to compose the picture. A more photographic and stylized approach is to "weight" the frame and place the subject near one of the edges of the frame, which gives the stock footage clip an edgier and more modern look. Visually engaging composition is one of the primary elements of a great stock footage clip so pay close attention to this when choosing a clip.
2. Motion
Motion is another important element to carefully look at when reviewing and selecting stock footage clips for your projects. Motion can include both camera movement as well as movement of subject. Typically the most dynamic and enticing motion happens when the camera is moving in some way. A moving camera during a shot adds drama, power and impact creating a high level of cinematic production quality. There are a variety of camera movement techniques including using a dolly, jib arm, crane, tripod or many other specialty equipment devices that can create beautifully crafted movement during a shot. Look for stock footage clips that have distinct movement to give your project an added level of craft and production value.
3. Performance
If you're searching for a stock footage clip that includes talent, then it's key that the performance of the talent is believable in the clip. Stock footage clips that include talent have received a reputation over the years of looking "staged" and less than real. Another key element to selecting a great stock footage clip is the believability of the performance of talent within a clip. There is a lot of stock footage in the marketplace that features bad performances and over acting of talent. Be selective when choosing a stock footage clip and weed out talent and performances that look staged.
4. Lighting
Good lighting can greatly enhance the overall quality of a stock footage clip. What defines good lighting you ask? Good lighting is the balance, ratio, look and level of the overall light within a scene or shot. The lighting can come from a natural light source, be generated artificially or be a combination of both. Premium and pro stock footage clips are shot by seasoned directors of photography who are experts at creating shots with commercial-grade lighting. They have an arsenal of techniques, equipment and tricks for making a stock footage clip look stylish and professional with lighting. Use a critical eye to look for those stock footage clips with the best use of lighting.
5. Focal Length
Focal length describes the length of the lens used on the film or video camera for a particular shot. A short focal length will give the image a wider field of view whereas a longer focal length will compress the image and bring the field of view tighter and closer. The longer the focal length typically the more out of focus the background is from the subject. Different focal lengths give different emotional feelings to a shot and can have a profound effect on the look and quality of the stock footage clip you're using in your project.
6. Art Direction
When researching and selecting stock footage clips, quality of art direction will be another important element to consider. Art direction primarily refers to the scenery, decoration and props within a scene. Like any other art form, the quality of execution when it comes to art direction can vary from one stock footage clip to another. Pay careful attention to these details because art direction that is well thought out and implemented can have a big impact on the stock footage clip.
7. Locations
The location or locations featured in a stock footage clip has a big influence on the quality of the clip. A visual and relevant location has as much impact on the shot as composition, camera movement and lighting. A good location influences the overall emotional tenor of a shot as well as providing context for the subject matter, whether it’s a high concept clip or a more realistic one. Locations during shooting are enhanced with good art direction, props, lighting, composition, talent and camera operation; however the foundation for a quality stock shot starts with a solid location.
8. Authenticity
The overall authenticity of the stock footage clip you're selecting for your project is another key criterion when researching clips. Authenticity is all about the truthfulness, realism and naturalness of the overall qualities of the stock footage clip. This includes many of the elements discussed above but especially includes the performance of the talent (if any) as well as the props, wardrobe and art direction for the scene. All of these elements must "ring true" for you and your audience or the clip will scream out that it's a stock footage clip. The believability of the stock footage clip or clips you choose will determine how well it integrates into your final video, commercial, TV show or PowerPoint presentation.
9. Resolution
With so many camera acquisition formats on the market today, there are a countless number of delivery resolutions and formats for stock footage clips (i.e., 1080i, 1080p, HD, 720p, SD, PAL, etc...). It can be overwhelming for sure. Be sure you research and understand what the final resolution of your project is before final delivery of your project. Talking to your video editor and technical team upfront before researching and searching for stock footage is a key step not to be overlooked.
10. Compression & Delivery
Compression is an important consideration when ordering and/or downloading the stock footage clip(s) that you choose for your project. Different companies offer a variety of compression codecs when delivering files and masters to you after you've ordered. If choosing to have digital files delivered to you be sure you understand the type of codec and compression that will be used within the stock clip you've ordered. Some companies deliver stock footage clips without any compression and others deliver clips with a considerable amount of compression. Knowing the codec and compression of your clips before ordering is an important consideration to remember to be sure you're getting the quality you need for your project.
As you've read in this article there are several factors that go into researching and selecting a quality stock footage clip. By paying careful attention to the factors above you'll increase your chances of finding the perfect stock footage clip or clips for your next project.
MotionKit.com provides fresh and innovative stock footage, video backgrounds and motion graphics for broadcast and film professionals, video editors, powerpoint presenters and digital media users. Offering instant downloads, frequent updates and free clips.
