Video format for maximum compatability between versions

[Chris Watts]

I have Powerpoint 97 at home and 2000 at work. I have to give a talk
overseas where I cannot guarantee which version will be avaialable - this
has not been a problem in the past with presentations that I have used, but
none have included video clips. I do not wish to use "pack and go" as that
has always given me grief in the past!

Now I want to want to include a short clip taken from a dvd (video plus
sound). At the moment it is in VOB format. What format should I convert it
to, and what encoding, to ensure, or maximise the possibility, that it will
run on an "unknown" version of Powerpoint?

When I have tried to embed clips the link seems to be real not relative and
no obvious may to control this. If I keep the PPT file and the video clip
in the same directory will the link betwen them remain true?

TIA
Chris

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[Deborah Jean]

Actually you could save it as a web page and then all the video and links
will embedd themselves. When you get overseas put in the cd with the ppt
presentation open the web browser go to file and open and navigate to your
ppt and it will play as a web page complete with links and embedded video
that way you don't have to worry about what power point they have. Go to
File-Save as Web page. Click on the Publish button under Publish what select
complete presentation an under Browser support select All browsers listed
above it creates a larger file but will ensure if they have IE3.0 or 4.0 and
later or Netscape (as you said you can't be sure of what will be on the
computer overseas.) 3.0 or later. Under Publish copy as put it on your
desktop and then burn it onto the cd and when you get overseas open their web
browser go to file-open and navigate to your cd and the presentation with a
little web icon should be there click and play, you may have to select full
screen on the web browser.

Deborah Jean
MOS Master Instructor-6 years

 

[Chris Watts]

I have Powerpoint 97 at home and 2000 at work. I have to give a talk
overseas where I cannot guarantee which version will be avaialable - this
has not been a problem in the past with presentations that I have used, but
none have included video clips. I do not wish to use "pack and go" as that
has always given me grief in the past!

Now I want to want to include a short clip taken from a dvd (video plus
sound). At the moment it is in VOB format. What format should I convert it
to, and what encoding, to ensure, or maximise the possibility, that it will
run on an "unknown" version of Powerpoint?

When I have tried to embed clips the link seems to be real not relative and
no obvious may to control this. If I keep the PPT file and the video clip
in the same directory will the link betwen them remain true?

Thanks Steve and Deborah Jean for your most useful replies - I will follow
up what you suggest - I have time to play before I go to the overseas
conference.

But what about file format (e.g. avi) and codec for the clip?
I moving things between my home (PPT97) and work (PPT2000) I have
experienced problems. Only one likes mp2 files, the other ignores them and
won't even link to them. One happily runs a WMF9 encoded clip, the other,
in its default configuration, doesn't have the decoder loaded. What comes
in the default PPT versions or does it depend on the OS?

Chris

 

[Echo S]

But what about file format (e.g. avi) and codec for the clip?
I moving things between my home (PPT97) and work (PPT2000) I have
experienced problems. Only one likes mp2 files, the other ignores them
and
won't even link to them. One happily runs a WMF9 encoded clip, the other,
in its default configuration, doesn't have the decoder loaded. What comes
in the default PPT versions or does it depend on the OS?

Video in PPT is really touchy. I'd stay away from MPEG2. AVI with Cinepak
codec seems to play on most systems, but the file size is usually HUGE.

I would rip the VOB to whatever the ripping software will create -- usually
MPEG. Then I would create a WMV out of the MPEG. Windows Movie Maker can do
that conversion. Or check into PFCMedia. http://www.pfcmedia.com There's a
fully functional trial version available.

 

[Austin Myers]

For Windows PCs, wmv 7 should do the trick.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

PowerPoint Video and PowerPoint Sound Solutions www.pfcmedia.com