Presentation software

[hardtailstar]

Hi All,

 

My edugeek search skills isn't working but does anyone know of Software where I can add slides, videos music for a presentation.

 

If there is a thread about it already can you point me in the direction or any good software?

 

Cheers all

 

Bill

[TechMonkey]

I hesitate to say this but PowerPoint?

 

An alternative is Prezi. Sway could be used but I've not found an easy way to control it.

[hardtailstar]

I hesitate to say this but PowerPoint?

 

An alternative is Prezi. Sway could be used but I've not found an easy way to control it.

 

I thought of PowerPoint but it hasn't always worked as required.

 

ive looked at Prezi but i'll try Sway.

[noelmm]

PowerPoint, simple to use and it works, unless there is a reason why you can't use PowerPoint.

[hardtailstar]

PowerPoint, simple to use and it works, unless there is a reason why you can't use PowerPoint.

 

As said above, it hasn't always worked as required.

 

I have found Slidedog but the features we'd like we need to pay for.

 

Basically if anyone knows any Free software like the above where I can add in all files required and dual screen it.

[LeMarchand]

I hesitate to say this but PowerPoint?

 

Have to say, I was wondering why this wasn't an option too!

 

Anyone used Google Slides?

 

If ease of constructing the presentation is less of a factor than the finished product, could it be done as a website? Pretty sure that you'd be able to accomplish all that in something like Expression.

[TechMonkey]

I would try Powerpoint again as it has gotten a lot better at handling media than in the past. I personally always use Prezi as I like the functionality but it is very different and doesn't use slides so I can see how it might not be first choice. I've needed anything beyond those two so never really looked.

 

Google Slides?

 

I suppose what I should ask is what is your end goal, what is trying to be achieved?

[bald_pig]

I've never had a problem with Powerpoint, I'm still recommending it.

 

What problems have you had with Powerpoint? Maybe that's a better solution.

 

[hardtailstar]

Have to say, I was wondering why this wasn't an option too!

 

Anyone used Google Slides?

 

If ease of constructing the presentation is less of a factor than the finished product, could it be done as a website? Pretty sure that you'd be able to accomplish all that in something like Expression.

 

The wifi in the hall isnt that great so will need to be played from the hard drive.

 

I would try Powerpoint again as it has gotten a lot better at handling media than in the past. I personally always use Prezi as I like the functionality but it is very different and doesn't use slides so I can see how it might not be first choice. I've needed anything beyond those two so never really looked.

 

Google Slides?

 

I suppose what I should ask is what is your end goal, what is trying to be achieved?

 

The end goal is to present multiple files which include music, PPT slides, videos and other files.

 

We have used PowerPoint before but it hasn't been 100% reliable during school presentations

[LeMarchand]

The wifi in the hall isnt that great so will need to be played from the hard drive.

The end goal is to present multiple files which include music, PPT slides, videos and other files.

 

The "web"site and files could be stored on the hard drive, PPT slides could be converted to pictures and documents to pdf - all of which should be good in a browser.

[dhicks]

The end goal is to present multiple files which include music, PPT slides, videos and other files. We have used PowerPoint before but it hasn't been 100% reliable during school presentations

 

If the issue you've had in the past has been with PowerPoint not playing video / audio files reliably, then I've found the solution is generally to convert whatever media you've been given to something you're sure of PowerPoint being able to handle. Handbrake is generally pretty good for this, converting any videos to its default .MP4 settings seems to work okay for use in PowerPoint. Likewise, the default export settings for MP3s from Audacity seem to work fine for any audio files. If it can handle the media files okay, PowerPoint doesn't need that fancy a specification PC - we have it running fine on a 5-year-old laptop and a NUC for presentations. We've recently had presentations with embedded 1024p video, and that seemed to work okay - videos maybe take a couple of seconds to actually start when cued, but otherwise seem to run fine.

[TechMonkey]

Depending on what the 100% reliability issue is I can confirm we do all of this in PowerPoint successfully. We do have good wifi signal in the hall we use though so maybe that is the issue. Recently we had a whole school assembly with the presenter using imported video and a music clip as accompaniment for an instrumentalist. All setup to work from a clicker so no one needed at the PC.

 

Normally it is all about the preparation, make sure the videos aren't 4K behemoth files and not a strange format, once the pictures are inserted do a compression and make sure the audio files are a decent format. Finally a good runthrough on the PC or device to be used is always good as it highlights any issue with video.

[bald_pig]

If the issue you've had in the past has been with PowerPoint not playing video / audio files reliably, then I've found the solution is generally to convert whatever media you've been given to something you're sure of PowerPoint being able to handle. Handbrake is generally pretty good for this, converting any videos to its default .MP4 settings seems to work okay for use in PowerPoint. Likewise, the default export settings for MP3s from Audacity seem to work fine for any audio files. If it can handle the media files okay, PowerPoint doesn't need that fancy a specification PC - we have it running fine on a 5-year-old laptop and a NUC for presentations. We've recently had presentations with embedded 1024p video, and that seemed to work okay - videos maybe take a couple of seconds to actually start when cued, but otherwise seem to run fine.

 

I always use the built-in conversion/compression tool, in the info section of the File menu. Never had an issue.

[hardtailstar]

Depending on what the 100% reliability issue is I can confirm we do all of this in PowerPoint successfully. We do have good wifi signal in the hall we use though so maybe that is the issue. Recently we had a whole school assembly with the presenter using imported video and a music clip as accompaniment for an instrumentalist. All setup to work from a clicker so no one needed at the PC.

 

Normally it is all about the preparation, make sure the videos aren't 4K behemoth files and not a strange format, once the pictures are inserted do a compression and make sure the audio files are a decent format. Finally a good runthrough on the PC or device to be used is always good as it highlights any issue with video.

 

The reliability issue is that it can be working fine during run through but then on the actual evening it stops working.

 

Will look at doing the compression and making sure that the file formats are PowerPoint safe!

 

Cheers all

[DrBeaker]

I hesitate to say this but PowerPoint?

 

An alternative is Prezi. Sway could be used but I've not found an easy way to control it.

+1 for PowerPoint.

 

Prezi? Nooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

Everytime I've seen a Prezi it was pretty much:

1) style over substance.

2) By someone who "needed a Macbook" but didn't REALLY need a Macbook. It was just because it was shiny and looked good.

 

 

The wifi in the hall isnt that great so will need to be played from the hard drive.

 

 

 

The end goal is to present multiple files which include music, PPT slides, videos and other files.

 

We have used PowerPoint before but it hasn't been 100% reliable during school presentations

 

PowerPoint is pretty much 99% what I've used in multiple roles in multiple schools. Had a few issues but generally due to the media, the person not setting up their links or content or making sure the weblinks are actually valid etc!

 

Depending on what the 100% reliability issue is I can confirm we do all of this in PowerPoint successfully. We do have good wifi signal in the hall we use though so maybe that is the issue. Recently we had a whole school assembly with the presenter using imported video and a music clip as accompaniment for an instrumentalist. All setup to work from a clicker so no one needed at the PC.

 

Normally it is all about the preparation, make sure the videos aren't 4K behemoth files and not a strange format, once the pictures are inserted do a compression and make sure the audio files are a decent format. Finally a good runthrough on the PC or device to be used is always good as it highlights any issue with video.

 

That's pretty much what I've done in the past. Got everything into a PowerPoint, videos, music etc and got it all working. Works with a clicker. Then it's over to whoever is actually presenting to control the content, not me. I'm can't do it all for them! I've done countless events successfully using this method. The one time it didn't work - was because the person presenting didn't press the damm button!

Edited June 13, 2019 by DrBeaker

[TTG_Alice]

Would recommend Google slides, you can download the presentation offline to present. Canva could be another option too.

[hardtailstar]

Great Success!...... Said in Borats voice.

 

 

Compressing the PowerPoint media worked. All videos and music worked without hiccup this evening.

 

Cheers all.

[DrBeaker]

Great Success!...... Said in Borats voice.

 

 

Compressing the PowerPoint media worked. All videos and music worked without hiccup this evening.

 

Cheers all.

 

What was the file size in the end then?

[hardtailstar]

What was the file size in the end then?

Not sure, didn't really check as I was doing about 5 other things at the same time.

 

I'll have a look tomorrow....