How to videotape a PowerPoint presentation in PowerPoint 2002 (291915)

SUMMARY

This article describes some of the methods that you can use to videotape your PowerPoint 2002 presentation.

PowerPoint does not have a built-in feature with which you can record a presentation to videotape. However, you can use a number of third-party products to perform this operation.

Before you start, consider the following issues:

• Video uses an analog signal that is both fuzzier and of lower resolution than the digital signal that is used by your computer to display information on the monitor. Because of this, 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 position text close to the edge of the slides.
• Some colors, such as bright red, do not display well on video. Because of this, avoid using bright reds and yellows in your presentation.

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

• Scan converter
• Digital video editing software and hardware

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Use a Scan Converter

A scan converter is a device that converts the VGA or Super VGA (SVGA) signal that the video adapter in your computer produces to a National Television System Committee (NTSC) signal that a television or home videocassette recorder (VCR) can display or play back. There are numerous models, brands, and qualities of scan converters available. A scan converter does not generally require any software drivers; you can plug it into the monitor, and then plug your television or VCR into the scan converter. Frequently, there is also an option to plug the computer monitor into the scan converter. With this feature, the presentation that is displayed on the computer monitor is also sent to the television or VCR.

To record a presentation by using a scan converter, follow these steps:

1. Install the scan converter device by using the manufacturer's instructions.
2. If your presentation contains sound, connect the Speaker or Line Out jack on your computer's sound card to the Audio In jack on the VCR.
   
   NOTE: To complete this step, your computer must have a sound card and you must obtain the correct cable (generally a cable with a mini plug on one end and an RCA plug on the other).
3. Press the Record button on the VCR.
4. Run your PowerPoint presentation.
   
   The VCR records the slide show.

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Use Digital Video Editing Software and Hardware

Digital video editing offers a more advanced method for using your computer as a source to create videotapes. This method uses an adapter card that either replaces, or works in concert with, the video adapter card in your computer. This card has output jacks for several different types of video signals, and may also have input jacks for several different types of video signals. Some examples of this type of card include the Matrox RT2000 by Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd. and the Pinnacle DV500 by Pinnacle Systems, Inc. To control these cards, you must use a video editing program, such as Adobe Premiere by Adobe Systems, Inc. or Video Factory by Sonic Factory.

NOTE: You must also have a VCR to connect to the video editing adapter.

With this hardware and software configuration, you can record Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) files, QuickTime movies, or images stored in a various formats, and then record them to videotape.

Also note the following:

• PowerPoint 2002 can save presentations as a series of graphic files. The supported formats are Graphic Interchange Format (GIF), Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), or Portable Network Graphics (PNG) formats. If an earlier version of PowerPoint is installed on your computer, you can use a screen-capture utility to save each slide as a graphic file.
• If you have a program that permits you to create a QuickTime movie directly from the screen display, you can use it to create a movie file of your presentation.
• You can use your digital video editing program to send the graphic or movie files to the VCR.

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