KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q167090: PPT: How to Videotape a PowerPoint Presentation

Article: Q167090
Product(s): Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows
Version(s): MACINTOSH:3.0,4.0; WINDOWS:3.0,4.0,7.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb3rdparty
Last Modified: 19-APR-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0 
- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0 
- Microsoft PowerPoint for Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For a Microsoft PowerPoint 2002 version of this article, see Q291915.

For a Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 version of this article, see Q197699.

For a Microsoft PowerPoint 98 version of this article, see Q188463.

For a Microsoft PowerPoint 97 version of this article, see Q189563.

SUMMARY
=======

PowerPoint does not have any built-in feature to record to videotape. However,
there are a number of third-party products that you can use to create a
videotape based on your presentation. This article describes some of the ways
you can make a videotape of your PowerPoint presentation.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Before you begin, you should consider the following:

- Video uses an analog signal that is both fuzzier and lower resolution than
  the digital signal used by your computer to display information on your
  monitor. Do not use tiny or finely detailed text or graphics in your
  presentation.

- Information close to the edge of the screen may be cut off. Do not place text
  close to the edge of your slide.

- Some colors, such as bright red, do not display well on video. Avoid using
  bright reds and yellows in your presentation.

To videotape your PowerPoint presentation, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Use a Scan Converter
------------------------------

A scan converter is a device that converts the VGA or SVGA signal that the video
adapter on your computer produces into an NTSC signal that a television or home
videocassette recorder (VCR) can understand. There are numerous models, brands,
and qualities of scan converters on the market. A scan converter does not
usually require any software drivers; you plug it into the monitor and then plug
your television or videocassette recorder into the scan converter. There is
usually a way to plug your computer monitor into the scan converter as well;
what you see on the monitor is sent to your television or VCR.

1. Install your scan converter using the instructions that came with it.

2. If your presentation contains sound, connect the Speaker or Line Out jack on
  the sound card in your computer to the Audio In jack on your VCR.

  NOTE: To complete this step, your computer must have a sound card and you must
  obtain the proper cable (usually a cable with a mini- plug on one end and an
  RCA plug on the other).

3. Press the Record button on your VCR.

4. Run your PowerPoint presentation.

  The VCR records the slide show.

Method 2: Use Digital Video Editing Software and Hardware
---------------------------------------------------------

Digital video editing offers a more advanced method for creating videotapes from
your computer. This method uses a card that either replaces or works in concert
with the video adapter card in your computer. The card has outputs for several
different types of video signal and also may have inputs for several different
types of video signal. Some examples of this type of card are the Wakeboard by
Digital Video Arts, the AV/Master by Fast, and the Bravado 1000 by True Vision.
To control this card you need some type of video editing software, such as
Premiere by Adobe Systems, Inc. or Lumiere by Corel Corporation.

You also need a videocassette recorder to hook into your video board.

If you have this kind of hardware and software installed on your computer, you
can take MPEG or QuickTime movies or use images stored in a number of formats
and record them to videotape.

1. PowerPoint can save presentations as a series of graphic files. The supported
  formats are GIF, JPEG, PICT, or PNG formats. If you have an earlier version
  of PowerPoint, you can use a screen-capture utility to save each slide as a
  graphic file.

2. If you have a program that lets you create a QuickTime movie of what happens
  on the screen, you can use that to create a movie file of your presentation.

3. Use your digital video editing software to send your graphic or movie files
  to your VCR.

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent
of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these
products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: 3.00 4.00 7.00

======================================================================
Keywords          : kb3rdparty 
Technology        : kbHWMAC kbOSMAC kbPowerPtSearch kbPowerPt700 kbZNotKeyword2 kbPowerptMacSearch kbPowerPt700Search kbPowerPt400 kbPowerPt300Mac kbPowerPt400Mac kbPowerPt300
Version           : MACINTOSH:3.0,4.0; WINDOWS:3.0,4.0,7.0
Hardware          : MAC x86
Issue type        : kbhowto

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.