This step-by-step guide illustrates how to convert a PowerPoint slide-show into video so you can distribute presentations more easily:
1. You can upload these PowerPoint video files to sites like YouTube or MySpace and some of your creation could go viral.
2. Transfer the PowerPoint slides to an iPod or your mobile phone and enjoy the presentations while on the move.
3. If your slideshow is like a photo album with lot of images, convert the PowerPoint to video and burn onto a DVD - you can now watch the presentations on a large TV screen.
The possibilities are endless. PowerPoint files converted to video using this technique also preserve all the voice narrations. And as expected, the total cost is $0.
How to convert PowerPoint into Video for YouTube or iPod
All you need a copy of Microsoft PowerPoint (any version), the PPT file, a webcam or microphone (if you want to record audio) and Internet access. OK, let’s get started:
Step 1: Open your PPT presentation file inside PowerPoint and switch to Slide Show menu to setup the exact time duration for each slide. You have two choices here:
a) Use Record Narration if you want to include audio in your presentations. Record your voice as your move through the slides and say yes when you are prompted to save the changes.
b) Use Rehearse Timings for silent PowerPoint videos. This option lets you define how long a slide should display on the screen before the presentation move to the next slide.
Step 2: Now go to authorstream.com and upload the PPT file you saved in Step 1. AuthorStream is a PowerPoint hosting service where you can PPT files as large as 1 GB. It’s again a good service though not so popular as Slideshare.
Step 3: When you are done uploading the PPT file to the web, Author Stream will convert the PowerPoint file into a MPEG4 video (mp4) that can be directly uploaded to YouTube or you can watch it on an iPod.
This process may take some time but you’ll get an email notification as soon as your PowerPoint video is ready for download from the web.
The conversion is not instant but definitely worth the wait. And the quality of video created from PPT files is brilliant.
There’s more - other than converting PPT to video, AuthorStream will also create a video podcast version of your presentation that can be directly imported into iTunes. This could a good opportunity for educators who have piles of PPT files on their computer that can be shared with the world.
Update: If you have the budget, you can use a screen recording application like Camtasia Studio to record PowerPoint presentations as video on your desktop.
Free screencasting software like Camstudio may also also record PPT playback but I think the above method is simpler as it takes care of conversion as well as video hosting.
Related: How to Make a Screensaver from PowerPoint File
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/tutorials/convert-powerpoint-video-upload-youtube-ppt-dvd/2978/
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Thanks for putting up this tutorial Amit, I would also like to add the use of authorPOINT and authorPOINT Lite to upload your files to authorSTREAM.
authorPOINT installs as a plug-in in PowerPoint and records PowerPoint as you present with your annotations and narration. The finished file can be uploaded to authorSTREAM.
authorPOINT Lite is a stand-alone desktop application, which converts PowerPoint files to Flash on your PC. The Flash files can then be used in offline media like CDs, DVDs etc or can be uploaded to authorSTREAM or WiZiQ. aPLite also has a feature to batch-upload PowerPoint presentations to authorSTREAM. Both these applications are available on link
Best Wishes,
Jagdeep Singh Pannu
For authorSTREAM
Written by Jagdeep Singh Pannu on 04.15.08
This is exactly what I needed at this stage as I just used Camtasia with powerpoint and this will make the task easier for me hopefully.
Written by Azzam on 04.15.08
great post. Just the thing i was looking for. Thanks amit
Written by sukhbinder on 04.15.08
Thanks amit, googled this for a long time for my project, good job bro.
Keep it up.
Written by DJYano on 04.21.08
Amit, you must be a visionary to know that someone would need or want to convert PPT files to video at some point in time.
Thank you for your insight/forsight.
Written by J Crusin on 09.21.08
This is convenient and it’s free
But users should also note that if you are using Powerpoint 2007, there is a possibility that the animations done will be distorted horribly.
just sharing my experience…
thanks amit
Written by ifran on 10.26.08
Works fine but one downside! It does not allow for embedded video
Written by Graeme Leach on 10.30.08
Thank you for sharing this resource, it is much easier and smoother than doing it in Camtasia.
Written by David OSullivan on 01.10.09
I have vista with movie maker, powerpoint and 2007 word. I have been asked to create a class (50th reunion) cd for each member. I thought it would be great so I uploaded the photos from the yearbook and other photos. I started a storyboard and it looked fair. I then decided to create word document with 3-4 photos framed on a green background; I transferred this unto a powerpoint. Now I have to type docs but no way to make a video. There is no way the movie maker will import either docs. What can I do?
Written by anita on 04.02.09