Cross platform PPT video

External Since: Mar 23, 2004 Posts: 1

I have a need to insert video into Powerpoint for remote presentations,
typically on a big screen. The end user will be using a PC, will not be
very tech savvy, and may not always be able to use their own laptop. As
such, the final file(s) needs to be as close to "bullet-proof" as
possible - while maintaining high quality, of course! Wink

I receive the video from a colleague on a PC using Pinnacle. His format
options are:
Cinepack.avi
DV Encoder.avi
Indeo 5.1.avi
Intel Indeo R32.avi
MPEG 1
MPEG 2

I may need to do some editing using iMovie, which only allows me to save
as Quicktime .mov files (or iDVD, which probably doesn't help).
Ultimately, the Powerpoint file will likely be used on a PC, but needs
to also (hopefully) work on a Mac as well.

I would have thought that the Powerpoint end of this process would be
simple, but no. My tests indicate that some formats work on one
platform, but not on another - and that it matters which platform the
files are imported into Powerpoint under (eg: a Cinepack.avi file works
fine on the Mac when inserted under the Mac OS but then doesn't work on
a PC, and vice versa!)

My questions:
- Can anyone recommend a stable file format that will "just work"
cross-platform?
- Any rules of thumb about video settings for this application?
- What are reasonable limitations (given typical modern laptops and
projection systems) WRT to file sizes, etc?

I can always install drivers, etc, in clients machines if necessary, but
what happens when I send a computer-challenged client off to present
who-knows-where (from Vienna to Africa to Minnesota!) and presentations
are run off the host's rig?

Thanks very much for your help!

External Since: May 02, 2005 Posts: 963

Here are some pages that discuss a couple of the issues you'll have to deal
with:

Re: codecs and such:
The Myers Multimedia FAQ by Austin Myers (PowerPoint MVP)
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00099.htm

And because PowerPoint *always* links to, never embeds, video:
Links break when I move presentation (and at other times)
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00155.htm

And the old standby catchall for all the other "bumps in the night":
PC to Mac and Back
http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00281.htm

Given the need for cross-platform stress-free presentations including video,
you might want to consider something other than PowerPoint; I understand
Director produces standalone files with media embedded; Flash is another
option.

In article <4060B2C4.6070607 RemoveThis @xox.net>, Patrik wrote:
> I have a need to insert video into Powerpoint for remote presentations,
> typically on a big screen. The end user will be using a PC, will not be
> very tech savvy, and may not always be able to use their own laptop. As
> such, the final file(s) needs to be as close to "bullet-proof" as
> possible - while maintaining high quality, of course! Wink

>
> I receive the video from a colleague on a PC using Pinnacle. His format
> options are:
> Cinepack.avi
> DV Encoder.avi
> Indeo 5.1.avi
> Intel Indeo R32.avi
> MPEG 1
> MPEG 2
>
> I may need to do some editing using iMovie, which only allows me to save
> as Quicktime .mov files (or iDVD, which probably doesn't help).
> Ultimately, the Powerpoint file will likely be used on a PC, but needs
> to also (hopefully) work on a Mac as well.
>
> I would have thought that the Powerpoint end of this process would be
> simple, but no. My tests indicate that some formats work on one
> platform, but not on another - and that it matters which platform the
> files are imported into Powerpoint under (eg: a Cinepack.avi file works
> fine on the Mac when inserted under the Mac OS but then doesn't work on
> a PC, and vice versa!)
>
> My questions:
> - Can anyone recommend a stable file format that will "just work"
> cross-platform?
> - Any rules of thumb about video settings for this application?
> - What are reasonable limitations (given typical modern laptops and
> projection systems) WRT to file sizes, etc?
>
> I can always install drivers, etc, in clients machines if necessary, but
> what happens when I send a computer-challenged client off to present
> who-knows-where (from Vienna to Africa to Minnesota!) and presentations
> are run off the host's rig?
>
> Thanks very much for your help!
>

--
Steve Rindsberg, PPT MVP
PPT FAQ: www.pptfaq.com
PPTools: www.pptools.com