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Graphics converted to video do
lose some resolution and especially so when compressed by encoding
into Flash or any other Video format. This is done to help loading
times and also to enable the video to run smoothly without any
jerkiness.
Most computer systems these
days, despite having broadband connections, can only view video at
an average rate of 600 kbps to 800 kbps, which means that online
video should be configured to run at those rates. |
Your
PowerPoint Presentation Checklist for Optimal Viewing Online
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Please note: this is not
a checklist for general PowerPoint design - rather it is meant to
make your PowerPoint more visible and legible when it is converted
into an Online Streaming Video.
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Important:
Leaving space on the video side (Your
Layout) - since you will be presenting personally on your screen,
make sure you leave some space on the right side of the slide
to display the video of yourself presenting - whether this is a
PIP (picture-in-picture) box in the right lower corner or the
value package with you on the right or even
if you will be superimposed on the screen using Green Screen.
Do not put any critical content in the space where your video
will be inserted.
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Use more images
and less text - this is also useful in general presentation
design, since the whole point of presenting with digital media
is to avoid text - after all, you will be speaking alongside the
visuals and its redundant to repeat the text in the visuals.
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Use simple text
- keep it short and sweet - i.e. use key phrases and subheads
mainly to merely mention the points you will be speaking to -
much like an outline.
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If using text,
make it LARGE and BOLD - keep the size above 18
to 20 points (preferably 24 pt or larger).
-
Use commonly
available fonts - sans-serif fonts like Arial and Arial Bold are
your best bet since they are available on most systems and also
display well. Try not to use Serif fonts like Times New Roman.
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Use diagrams and
animations liberally since they make for more interesting
presentations.
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Keep animations
fast and definite - subtle or very slow animations
(like slow, smooth fades) may not portray too well. Try and use
straight 'appear' instead of fades or wipes unless absolutely
necessary to your presentation.
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Avoid
varied animation effects since they can be very
distracting to the viewer.
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Keep slide
transitions simple and fast - slow and subtle transitions do
not show up well in PowerPoint videos.
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Use lots of
photographs, but make sure your images are sized correctly. Very
large images will load too slowly and you need to keep your
resolutions down to 72 dpi and sized to your PowerPoint slide
dimensions (typically around 800X600 pixels in size). This can
be done in any image-editing program like Photoshop.
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Size your
presentation layout to around 800 X 600 pixels to ensure it runs
very smoothly. One typically sizes presentations much larger for
projection screening, but for purposes of video capture, the
smaller size is preferable.
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Maintain good contrast between your text and the background.
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Use
simple backgrounds - avoid complex gradients, or too many
graphics which would be distracting. Simple photographic images
make good backgrounds as long as the image is not too cluttered
- make sure your text or graphic is nicely visible over the
background and does not get lost.
-
Keep your colors
bold and definite - avoid yellow over white for example and
avoid pastel colors over light backgrounds - again, make sure
there is good contrast.
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Charts &
Diagrams - don't use thin chart lines especially with pale
colors - bar/column charts and pie charts are always preferable
to line charts. However, if you must use line charts, make the
lines bold in size and color.
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Always have a
Title Slide showing the topic of your presentation as your
first slide.
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