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PREPARING TO RECORD YOUR PRESENTATION

While there are many methods to prepare and record a virtual presentation, PowerPoint includes a straightforward, simple solution. If you are comfortable with other solutions, feel free to use them.

In addition to PowerPoint, other video conferencing tools are available to easily record a presentation. With these methods, you are able record your talk along with your slides, and optionally include yourself via webcam. You can use any meeting software you are familiar with, provided you get a good quality recording, and your final file is in the MP4 format.

Here are some links to instructions on recording a presentation on some common platforms:

In this document, we will demonstrate how to use PowerPoint to create a video file of your talk ready for presentation for a virtual conference. This covers how to record audio and optionally video, then save the presentation as a video (mp4) file suitable for showing on-line for virtual events. A key advantage to recording in PowerPoint is the ability to narrate and edit each slide individually.

PREPARING YOUR PRESENTATION

  • For your virtual presentation, please limit your recorded talk to the time allotted for your talk (typically 30 minutes).
  • It is often helpful to prepare a script for each slide and to practice to make sure you stay within the allotted time.
  • With your presentation slides and script done and rehearsed, you are ready to start recording your presentations.
  • Please refer to the Virtual Presentation Tips and Guidelines for tips on creating a quality virtual presentation.
  • Please note that file must be in MP4 format. The video resolutions should be widescreen, 16x9 format, 1920x1080 pixels. (1280x720 is also acceptable)

RECORDING YOUR PRESENTATION IN POWEPOINT

  • For a brief video tutorial on creating and saving your virtual presentation in PowerPoint, please click: https://www.semiconwest.org/video-presentation-tutorial.
  • Start by opening Slide Show menu along the top of the PowerPoint window. In the slide show toolbar, click on “Set Up Slide Show.”
  • NOTE: If you don’t see the Slide Show menu, you may need to enable the Recording tab of the ribbon.
  • On the File tab of the ribbon, click Options. In the Options dialog box, click the Customize Ribbon tab on the left. Then, in the right-hand box that lists the available ribbon tabs, select the Recording check box. Click OK.]
  • This will open a settings dialog. Most of the defaults should be fine, but you should set the Resolution (near the lower right) to 1920x1080. 1280x720 is also acceptable and will result in a smaller presentation file with slightly lower quality.
  • To begin recording, select Record Slide Show near the top of the screen. In the dropdown menu, select Record from Beginning. This brings you to the record screen.
  • If you would like to include your webcam in your presentation, see the section on Optional video, below.
  • Once you are ready to start, Click on the red Record button at the top left corner of the screen. This will start a 3 second countdown, then you can begin recording your talk. Talk about the points on each slide, then advance to the next, same as you would in a physical presentation.
  • If you make a mistake, you can keep going and return to the slide later to rerecord. See the reviewing information, below.
  • Note that you can Pause the recording if you need to.
  • When you’re done, click Stop on the recording page.

Optional video:

  • Using a webcam for your virtual presentation is entirely optional. If you do want to use video, you can do so within PowerPoint.
  • When you open the record screen, notice the camera icon in the lower right. Click the icon to start your webcam. The image will appear in the lower right while recording, but when you’re done recording you will have the option to move and resize the video anywhere on the screen, same as you would with any PowerPoint graphic.
  • Note: while editing your PowerPoint file which includes video, there will be a play bar below the video. However, the play bar will not appear in the final presentation.
  • Remember to look at the camera while capturing video, not at your notes or the screen. (Though it is OK to glance at your notes occasionally.

REVIEWING AND EDITING YOUR PRESENTATION

  • You can preview your presentation by selecting From Beginning in the slide show section.
  • We all make mistakes. If you need to re-record the narration for a specific slide, or want to make a change, it’s simple to do.
  • Go to that slide in PowerPoint, then select Record Slide Show. This time, though, select From Current Slide.
  • You’ll return to the recording screen, where you can start re-recording when you’re ready. Be sure to stop at the end of the slide, without proceeding to the next.
  • You can review and edit your presentation as needed. Be sure you don’t exceed the allotted time for your talk.

SAVING THE PRESENTATION

  • Don’t forget to save your presentation as a PowerPoint file!
  • To save the presentation as a video ready, there are two options:
  1. Option 1: go to the File menu and select Export, then Create a Video. The video size should be 1920x1080, and you should use the recorded timings and narrations. (You can ignore the “Seconds spent on each slide” item; this only applies to slides without narration and timing.)
  2. Option 2: go to the File menu (upper left) and select Save a Copy. On the dropdown menu for file types, select MPEG-4 Video, and click Save. 
  • Note that saving the presentation as a video might take a while. Be sure to check the progress bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window. Don’t close PowerPoint until it has finished saving the file.

UPLOADING and SUBMITTING YOUR VIDEO FILE

Once you have prepared your virtual presentation and saved it as a video file, you will need to provide either the video file itself or a link to the video to SEMI.  

  • If you or your company uses a file sharing service such as Google Drive, OneDrive, WeTransfer, etc., you can upload your video to that service and send a link to the event manager at SEMI.
  • Reminder: Video format is MP4, 1920x1080 or 1280x720

Creating a Virtual Presentation in PowerPoint