If you want to convert your presentation into a video file, PowerPoint offers a conversion option. However, in addition to limited recording options, only a few predefined output formats are available. Furthermore, subsequent editing of the created file requires additional software.
Therefore, we will introduce you to TechSmith's Camtasia Studio product, which allows you to save and comprehensively edit your presentation video in the desired format.
Why present as videos?
You've created a PowerPoint presentation and want to share it with a friend, client, or colleague, for example, via email, CD, or USB drive? Then you need to make sure the recipient has PowerPoint installed on their device to open the file. While you could save your presentation as a PDF, embedded animations, videos, and transitions will be lost.
To ensure your presentation retains all its content and settings while also being suitable for distribution independent of PowerPoint, converting it to a video is recommended. Furthermore, there are numerous other reasons to convert a PowerPoint presentation into a video file:
- Your presentation can be easily shared on the internet via platforms like Vimeo or YouTube.
- At the same time, your content is better protected against unwanted modification or further use by third parties – simple copy-paste theft is not possible.
- Videos embedded in the presentation play correctly and without additional loading times.
The advantages primarily lie in the distribution of pre-made presentations. However, it's clear that presentation videos are rather unsuitable for delivering a lecture. Once you press "play," the video runs continuously and dictates the timing of your presentation, unless you pause it at each slide that takes longer than planned. Therefore, if devices with PowerPoint are available in the presentation room, you should use traditional PowerPoint files for your presentation.
Video conversion with PowerPoint
With PowerPoint 2010 you can easily convert your presentation into a video using the "Save and Send" function, and with PowerPoint 2013 using "Export".
PowerPoint creates a video of your presentation using your chosen settings, including all animations and slide transitions. Embedded video files are also recorded – essentially as a video within a video. With PowerPoint 2010, you can only save it in Microsoft's proprietary WMV format, while version 2013 also supports the widely used MPEG-4 format.
And this is what a presentation video created with PowerPoint could look like:
Camtasia Studio
An interesting alternative or useful addition to video creation with PowerPoint is the use of Camtasia Studio. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of both programs for creating a video in a graphic for you:
The conversion process with PowerPoint is quick and easy. The problem: once the video is recorded, it cannot be changed afterwards. In fact, PowerPoint offers no options whatsoever for editing the file.
This is where Camtasia Studio comes in: Unlike PowerPoint, Camtasia Studio allows you not only to create videos but also to extensively edit them . The user-friendly program offers a wide range of post-production options – for example, cutting, adding sound, or inserting effects.
We further edited the PowerPoint presentation video from the clip above using Camtasia Studio:
As you can see, Camtasia can record not only presentations but all screen activity. Recording cursor movements is invaluable for highlighting specific content or creating tutorial videos in general. Extensive video editing, including zoom, annotations, video acceleration, effects, and much more, can be implemented with just a few clicks.
Professional editing of presentation videos
Those who simply want to convert their presentation content into video can do so using PowerPoint's conversion options. However, for those aiming to create high-quality image, advertising, and training videos with extensive post-production capabilities, Camtasia Studio is the ideal tool. Its user-friendly interface allows even inexperienced users to quickly familiarize themselves with video editing and transform presentations into engaging videos.
