The first step for adding video to a PowerPoint presentation would be to find or create the video! This can be done be using existing footage from archives, personal collections or videotape libraries. If you intend on using existing footage, clear copyright issues and if not, you can always create new footage with a camcorder. It is always better to integrate shorter video clips in a slide presentation as the video clip is only meant to support your presentation. Longer clips distract the viewer to settle into a TV watching mode. A typical video clip lasts for 10 to 20 seconds. Of course, there are other video clips like product-demo shots, location or establishing shots of a place or building that need more time for their video clips.



If you intend in shooting for video, make sure that the lighting is proper to get a good picture in the video. However, remember that audio is as important as video as a bad audio can ruin a good video. It is always expected that audio and video be correct and collaborating with each other. If one is missing or substandard, the audience is sure to notice it and act harshly! Make sure to get the camera's build in microphone as close to a speaker as possible. If not, you could also use an external microphone like a lapel connected to the camcorder. Always do a sound check before starting shooting.

Once the footage has been captured in video, the video has to move from the camcorder into the computer for editing. This can be done using either a computer's IEEE 1394 port for DV camcorders or an analog-video capture card for analog camcorders. Whichever method is employed, you need software like Adobe Premier, MGI software and Video Wave to instruct your computer to transfer the video into the hard drive. Once the video is captured in the computer, the editing has to be done. The video clips are trimmed to remove unnecessary frames before and after the required footage. This can be done with the help of any editing software. In addition to trimming, you can also add simple fade-in and fade-out to a clip.

Once the editing of the video has been done, the video clips have to be exported into an appropriate desktop video format like MPEG-1 or Windows Media. Make sure to check the frame size and rate in the process. Reduce full-frame videos of say 720 x 480 pixel resolution to 320 x 240 pixel resolution and maybe frame rates of 30 frames per second to 15 frames per second. These changes make it easier for a computer to process and play the clips smoothly in PowerPoint. Now the video file has finally been created!

Next comes the part of playing video during a PowerPoint presentation using one of three basic methods. One of the ways is to embed the entire video clip into a slide where PowerPoint places the first frame of the video clip in the current like as a picture icon. There may be a delay while PowerPoint imports the file, but you can reposition or resize the chip after that. The second option is to embed a Windows Media Player object in the slide. This version is helpful if the clip is longer as it allows you to pause to make a point or to answer a question. The third version is just to use the Windows alt and tab key combinations to switch applications. Although embedded video clips give a more polished look, this version is an important option for presentations to know as it lets you move around your computer to photos, charts, documents and other files.

Now that the preparation of the video is done, it is up to you to weave the video into your PowerPoint presentation Although video clips adds life to a static presentation, it is up to you to introduce them and explain them as necessary, to keep the focus on you as the presenter and to make your message on target!