Converting Slides to Streaming Video
By Michael Kennedy, Squeeze Expert User
Reprinted from Sorenson Media October 2008 Newsletter

I am often presented with PowerPoint slides that I want to stream as a video. The best and fastest method for converting a PowerPoint presentation into a streaming video presentation is to use Squeeze. I use this method:

1) Simply convert the PowerPoint presentation into a graphic file, such as a jpeg ("Save as" from within PowerPoint);

2) Import all the PowerPoint slides into a video editing software application;

3) Import any audio files that are part of the presentation into the video editing software application;

4) Sync each PowerPoint slide and any audio;

5) Export this new clip as a raw video file;

6) Import this raw video file into Squeeze, and use Squeeze's wmv settings to make the compressed wmv file;

7) Lastly I upload the compressed wmv file into the streaming server and I have a streaming PowerPoint presentation in relatively short time.

So, the next time you are offered, "I have a PowerPoint," rather than ignore the comment, or say, "Ummm, I really don't care for PowerPoint presentations"; you can smile and say, "Great, I may use it as I put your presentation together."

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Hmmm, help me here, wouldn't you lose all the "presentation" values of Powerpoint by doing what you suggest?  Therefore:

...."So, the next time you are offered, "I have a PowerPoint," rather than ignore the comment, or say, "Ummm, I really don't care for PowerPoint presentations"; you can smile and say, "Great, I may use it as I put your presentation together."

You may have to tell John/Jane Doe that all the time someone spent creating the great PPT transitions, segues, in their presentation etc., will be lost... correct?  But that you will revamp the static slides with your favorite Gee-Whiz transitions available on your editor app of choice, correct?

The bottom line is that all media is fair play when designing product for a client--it all depends on budget, time and available resources - Powerpoint included....

Oh, and one final point - once you are no longer in PPT land, meaning that you've converted PPT slides to some other format (jpg, png, bmp etc) and you are working within some editing app (Avid, FCP, Premier) you really don't have a streaming Powerpoint presentation at all, but rather a video created from slides that  appear as though they were created in Powerpoint! 

I like Squeeze, but there is really nothing special about it when discussing PPT conversions to video.

Hi Tom, thanks for the feedback. You make a great point.

Although I did not write the tip (reposted from a Sorenson Newsletter) I did think our video post Community members should have it on hand in case they were in this situation, since Squeeze is bundled with Media Composer.

Best,

Adam