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Preface
Multimedia and File Formats
Versions
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Preface
This tutorial or FAQ doesn't take the traditional format
of Q & A. I've tried to write it in that format, and
have found there is too much information to convey in that
manner. To understand multimedia use in PowerPoint we need
a clear understanding of its interactions with the operating
system (Windows). Not to worry, most of the information presented
is easily understood, and well within the average users'
ability to master. As an added bonus, we may just be able
to solve some of those "other" multimedia problems
you've been having with your system.
Before going further, I have to take a moment to thank all
those folks that have played such an important role in getting
me to commit this information to written form. To all the
folks in the newsgroup, microsoft.public.powerpoint,
the Microsoft MVPs and their willingness to go the extra
distance, and most certainly to the MVP support folks at
Microsoft, thank you each and everyone. A very special thanks
to the folks who devoted their time, and computers, to testing
this information.
Folks if I can give you just one piece of valuable advice,
visit the newsgroup. I can't think of a better place to learn
the inner workings of PowerPoint. Simply put, there isn't
a better place to interact with some of the most knowledgeable
and friendly folks you'll ever meet. Do yourself a favour
and drop in.
Back
of
Definition Multimedia and File Formats
Everyone knows what multimedia is, right? For the purposes
of this discussion we will be addressing two specific forms
of multimedia - movies and sounds, and their
role in PowerPoint. PowerPoint has the ability to insert
and play the following type of files.
Video (Movies)
QuickTime (*.mov, or
*.qt) created with versions 1 and 2 of QuickTime. (versions
3 and 4 are not supported.)
Audio Video Interleave (*.avi)
Motion Picture Experts Group (*.mpg,
*. mpeg, *.m1v, *.mp2, *.mpa, *.mpe)
Microsoft Streaming Format (*.asf,
*.asx, *.wmv)
Animated GIF (*.gif)
While animated GIFs are not movies, they come close enough
for discussion in this document. (Note: Only PowerPoint 2000
and higher supports animated GIFs.)
While other, less popular video formats exist, these are
the most common and most likely to be used in PowerPoint.
Should you need to use one of the less popular formats I
strongly suggest converting it to an AVI or MPG format.
Sounds
Audio Interchange File Format (*.aiff,
*.aif, *.aifc)
Motion Pictures Expert Group Layer-3 (*.mp3,
*.m3u) (Note: May only be inserted with PowerPoint 2000 but
may be played back with PowerPoint 97 or the 32-bit PowerPoint
Viewer.)
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (*.midi,
*.mid, *.rmi)
Unix Environment (*.au,
*.snd)
Microsoft Wave (*.wav)
Microsoft Streaming Format (*.asf,
*.asx, *.wma)
CD Audio (*.cda)
Again, there are less common formats, but these are the
ones most users will be using.
Back
Operating Systems
And PowerPoint Versions Discussed
For purposes of this discussion we will be working with
PowerPoint 2000. Most, if not all, of the information in
this document will also apply to PowerPoint 97 and I will
try to make a special note when there is a difference.
Operating systems discussed are Windows 98, Windows ME,
and Windows 2000. Again, most of the information presented
will apply to the other Windows operating systems such as
Windows 95 and Windows NT. However I don't have access to
computers running these operating systems where I can "experiment" with
them.
What about Mac users? Sorry folks, I've never worked with
the Mac so there isn't much I can contribute in this area.
However, if there are any Mac types out there that would
like to contribute their experience please, by all means,
contact me, so we can include it.
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