movie clip codec

[Guest]

I have a lecture at a scientific conference in a couple of weeks. In my
lecture, I would like to show a short movie clip inserted into my PPT
presentation. I am not an expert in media players etc, far from it. I have
just discovered, that it is not enough to have the same version of PPT,
Windows Media Player, etc. One, while making the movie clip, has to use a
codec that is also installed on the machine the presentaion is to be run at.

Question: is there a way to embed the codec with the movie clip, or PPT
presentation (similar to embedding fonts) to make sure everything works OK.
Or, how to go about it?

Will appreciate your comments, JanAdam

 

[Austin Myers]

You are correct, keeping the needed codec's sorted and making sure they are
installed on client machines is difficult at best. There really is no way
of knowing what codec's may or may not be installed on the client machine
and trying to install them from PPT or even your distribution system is very
problematic. Many corporate machines don't allow installation of software
without IT approval. The user may well have installation blocked depending
on what type of anti-virus they are running and how it's set. Additionally,
in many cases the machine must be rebooted for the codec registration to be
put into place and make it functional.

This is one of the reasons we created PFCMedia (PlaysForCertain) as an add
in to PowerPoint. The add in processes media (movies and sounds) in a
manner that makes it compatible with PowerPoint and the MCI Media Player
(PowerPoint uses the MCI Player). The advantage is that the resulting
presentation will play in all versions of PowerPoint and the PowerPoint
viewers without requiring anything to be installed on the client machine.
(The presentation simply works.) It also compresses the media
(substantially in most cases) and places it into the presentation folder to
provide better linking when the presentation is moved or copied.

We provide a fully functioning 14 day demo available at www.pfcmedia.com
that you may download and install for testing and evaluation. Give it a try
and see if it meets your needs with no obligation. If you like it, keep it,
if not, toss it out. <g>

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

Solutions to Multimedia in PowerPoint www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Guest]

Thank you Austin, It just confirms what I thought. Mine is only a one shot
deal, thus I will not go for the add-in. Besides, at work, we are not allowed
to install anything on our own. I have anough time to exchange a couple of
mails with the organizers to make sure I use the right codec.

Thanks again, JanAdam

 

[Echo S]

You might want to download Austin's add-in and take it with you to the
conference just in case, Jan. That way, if the video doesn't play on the
conference system for some reason, you at least have a fallback option.

That said, I'd recommend you check
http://www.soniacoleman.com/Tutorials/PowerPoint/multimedia.htm Austin wrote
this article many moons ago, and he does mention common codecs in it. An AVI
using the Cinepak codec is pretty universal. MPEG-1 is usally a good bet,
especially if you can use one of the codecs listed in the multimedia
tutorial. (I'll also mention that I've had good luck with the MainConcept
MPEG-1 codec that Sonic Foundry Vegas Video and Video Factory use.)

If possible, try to send the video file to the organizers ahead of time and
ask them to insert it into a PPT presentation (Insert/Movies and
Sounds/Movie from File) on the show system as a test. If it plays, then all
is well. If not, send them to the link above so they can check their
registry settings. Or maybe steer them to the PFCMedia add-in, as it really
will make their lives easier -- especially if any of the other presenters
(who may not be as knowledgeable and conscientious in this area as you are)
decide to bring video...

 

[Austin Myers]

I understand, work restrictions on PCs is a needed evil today. <g> But if
you have a computer at home or a lappie install it and use it for the 14 day
demo. Won't cost ya a thing and it may get you out of a tight spot.

Between me and you, I expect a lot of people use the add in for situations
just like yours, pretty much a one shot deal or when they are in a pinch.
These folks probably won't buy it because, well they only need it once.
They aren't big users of multimedia and not likely customers. But they are
still PowerPoint users that need a solution and that is the reason for the
demo being fully functioning.

When I was building the add in I thought about putting a logo on the video
during the demo period, then one of the other MVPs pointed out how much help
this could be to the PowerPoint community if it didn't. People that need it
will buy it, and those that need it on a one time basis are more than
welcome to use it. In fact I encourage it. It really will help sort these
sorts of issues quickly and easily.

Austin Myers
MS PowerPoint MVP Team

Solutions to Multimedia in PowerPoint www.pfcmedia.com

 

[Guest]

Austin, Echo S,

Thank you both for your very helpful comments.

I do have a couple of computers at home. I have made the video on one of
them using CyberLink Power Director and Power Producer. The Producer lists
the codecs it uses for different file types: for .avi it is DV for MPEG1 it
is MPEG-1 and for MPEG2 an MPEG-2. Not very instructive, is it? (I could not
find them on Austins's tutorial that Echo S recommended. By the way, the
tutorial is great and I always prefer a structured format instead of a Q&A)

Austin, today (Saturday morning) I could not log to your www.pfcmedia.com -
I will try again on Monday evening: we have a long weekend in Canada starting
right now.

Thanks again folks, it has been and is a pleasure.

JanAdam