Why Do We Say “PPT”?
“The updated PPT is in process.
“Do you have bandwidth to help design a new PPT?
“Look at the PPT slide 23 layout!
Question, why do people say “PPT” when referencing a PowerPoint file?
The answer is almost 20 years old, which proves it is difficult to change a name once it has been assigned!
We are going back even further, to 1997, when Microsoft released Office 97. PowerPoint was in the Office 97 bundle and all Office files; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, used 3-letter file extensions. PowerPoint files had the extension .ppt. So when hear some reference a PowerPoint file as a “PPT”, they are literally referencing a file format from over 2 decades ago!
Why did we start with saying the answer is almost 20 years old?
Because in 2007, 19 years ago, Microsoft release Office 2007. Office 2007 gave us the modern version of PowerPoint, powered largely by PowerPoint being rebuilt in the Office Open XML (OOXML) standard. With this update all of the 3-letter file extensions added the letter “X” for the new 4-letter file extensions; .pptx, .docx, .xlsx, etc. The “X” representing the XML code base.
And why did we say the XML version of PowerPoint, .pptx, is the modern version?
Because each XML file is really a .zip folder with all of the XML code, images, text files, videos and more inside that PowerPoint uses to display the slides. Modern meaning smaller file sizes (it is a .zip folder!), modular components inside (so 1 corrupt file does not ruin the entire presentation!), interoperability (the XML file structure is how Apple Keynote, Google Slides and every other presentation program can convert their presentation to a PowerPoint file!), embedded video and audio (it is a .zip folder, so things like videos and audio files can be added!).
-Troy @ TLC
New Podcast Episode Available! “Exploring the Balance Between AI Assistance and Human Expertise in Modern Presentation Design”
New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!
In this podcast episode, Troy, Nolan, and Sandy explore how AI is reshaping presentation design today. The conversation revolves around the two key spaces where AI operates: thinking (e.g. outlining, structuring) and design (e.g. visuals, layouts). While all three agree AI enhances efficiency, they also agree AI is not set to replace human storytelling, editorial judgment, and contextual understanding in professional presentation design. Ultimately, as AI produces “good enough” results, which makes human expertise more critical in creating authentic, memorable presentations that stand out.
Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here.
New Podcast Episode Available! “Exploring the Balance Between AI Assistance and Human Expertise in Modern Presentation Design”
New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!
In this podcast episode, Troy, Nolan, and Sandy explore how AI is reshaping presentation design today. The conversation revolves around the two key spaces where AI operates: thinking (e.g. outlining, structuring) and design (e.g. visuals, layouts). While all three agree AI enhances efficiency, they also agree AI is not set to replace human storytelling, editorial judgment, and contextual understanding in professional presentation design. Since AI produces “good enough” results, which makes human expertise more critical in creating authentic, memorable presentations that stand out.
Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here!
Can PowerPoint Use the Newer H.265 video format?
Here is a question for all presentation designers: Can PowerPoint use the newer H.265 video format?
The answer is YES! PowerPoint does recognize the H.265 video format… but there are some gotchas to be aware of at this time.
We successfully tested embedding and playing an H.265 video in PowerPoint. On top of that, we tested playback on all PowerPoint platform options, with verified success across these four:
- Windows desktop PowerPoint
- Mac desktop PowerPoint
- PowerPoint for Web
- Teams PowerPoint
Overall, this is good news for presentation designers, because H.265 offers more efficient compression than the more common (and older!) H.264 video format. It’s only a one-number difference in the name, but there are a LOT of great improvements in that single number change!
In the simplest terms, H.265 videos mean we keep the same video quality and resolution, while having a much smaller video file.
WHAT IS H.265?
H.265, also known as HEVC, is just a newer video codec. H.264 has been the industry standard for almost 2 decades, so it is about time for something new and better!
Let’s step back and talk about video file formats vs video codec format. In simple terms, the video file you get is either an .MP4 or .MOV. Those are the video file FORMATS. Now, HOW the video is created is what the codec is. So, an .MP4 can be created with an H.264 codec or an H.265 codec (or several other options).
Further, the video codec is the process used to compress a video when the file is created, and then uncompress (or DECode) it dynamically for playback. This matters because video files need compression to be practical (eg. keeping a small file size).
The better the compression, the smaller the file size. The better the uncompress process during playback, the smoother performance and higher image quality can be during playback. A more efficient codec makes it possible to compress a video much more, without any visible quality loss.
That is the appeal of H.265: it’s just a more efficient codec. It delivers the same visual quality as the current H.264, but with better compression efficiency.
H.264 VS. H.265
For most presentation designers, the comparison is straightforward. A smaller video file size, at the same quality, is a win.
Here is an example. We took the same video and rendered one version as H.264 and another as H.265. Both videos use the same resolution, bit rate, and audio quality. Here are the results; the H.265 version is 8.2 MB. The H.264 version is almost twice as large at 16.0 MB. Using videos that are 45% smaller in file size is better for PowerPoint presentations!
PowerPoint Considerations
Not everything is perfect just yet. Moving to H.265 videos can be done – and TLC Creative is actively using videos in this format for presentation projects. But PowerPoint as a whole is still an H.264 workflow.
- Using PowerPoint’s built-in video optimization, videos will be converted to H.264, and (this is important) even the shiny new H.265 videos.
- Exporting slides to video creates H.264 format videos. There is no option for PowerPoint to create videos using the improved H.265 yet.
In other words, H.265 is not just a technical format update; it can be a real workflow improvement for PowerPoint users using video in presentations. Just beware using PowerPoint’s built-in video optimization!!
Skyler @ TLC Creative Services
Can Morph Be Used with Videos?
We recently created a slide, using a cropped image and the Morph transition to shift the visible portion of the image between slides. I have to say, Morph has given PowerPoint a smooth, clean, cinematic visual pan effect!
Here is how we set this up using our static image (which we pulled from our video):
Slide 1 = Add image, size, position, and crop (the effect relies on there being more of the image being non-visible)
Slide 2 = Select the image, move the cropped area (in this example, sliding the image to the left), and set the slide transition to Morph.
Slide 3 = And for this example, there was a 3rd view of the image. Select the image, move the visible cropped area back (sliding it to the right).
But, trying to replicate the same effect with a video, using the identical morph setup? Well, that does not work so well…
Unfortunately, this showcases a limitation within PowerPoint. Videos cannot play across slide transitions. And in the case of a Morph transition, the video playback pauses when the transition starts, and there is no Morph movement. PowerPoint falls back to a Fade transition and resumes video playback by jumping ahead to where the video is on the timeline.
If anyone at Microsoft is listening, we, the end users, really, really need videos to be able to play across slides for so many presentation needs!
Troy @ TLC Creative
App Inconsistencies – This Time Adobe Premiere and Audition
Recently I have been in several conversations about inconsistencies across PowerPoint on different end points (as example, in Presenter View, why is the “End Show” button at the top in a different order on Windows, Mac and Teams!).
Because inconsistency is something I am thinking about, I caught another inconsistency that encounter daily, but have ignored – for years. While working on a multimedia project this past week, this time I the inconsistency between Adobe Audition and Adobe Premiere registered. Granted, this is a small thing, but in thinking of the design work, this has been a mental pause and break in workflow every time I am moving between these two apps.
Both Audition and Premiere work with layers. And the layer height, for visibility, is adjustable. But why is how you adjust the layers different between the programs!?
With Adobe Audition, to make a layer taller, the adjustment is by dragging the BOTTOM of the layer.
With Adobe Premiere, to make a layer taller, the adjustment is by dragging the TOP of the layer.
No action items or hacks from me, just documenting my design life thoughts – and why companies with many apps do not look at things wholistic and see inconsistencies that their users have to deal with…
Troy @ TLC
Nashville, Vectors, and Paper Puzzles: Nolan Haims Prepares for CreativePro Week
New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!
As the world of graphic design continues to expand, the boundaries between traditional design disciplines and presentation design are blurring. And CreativePro Week, a premier design conference brings together designers, creatives, and presentation experts.
In this episode, Troy has a behind-the-scenes conversation with Nolan Haims, hearing about his upcoming CreativePro Week talks, the process, and his expectations for the event. They also talk about the growing importance of presentation design, and actionable strategies for leveraging PowerPoint as a true design tool. Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here.