Archive for the ‘HowTo’ Category
Video to MP4
In the first of a series of posts we are going to show you how to convert your video files to MP4.
Video to MP4 – The Background
MP4 files are multimedia files that can store Video, Audio and further data depending on the content. Apple use the MP4 container format for their iPhone, iPad, iPod through iTunes and Sony has embraced it for their PSP and PS3 devices propelling it’s popularity.
Video to MP4 – How can it be played ?
MP4 files can be played through a number of programs – the most common program associated with playing the MP4 file is the Quicktime player, however it can also be played through Apple’s iTunes and VideoLAN’s VLC Media Player.
Video to MP4 - If I can’t open it, how can I convert it ?
This is where we here at Zamzar come in 
Zamzar is an online file conversion site that doesn’t require you to download any software in order to convert your MP4 files. Follow these steps to convert your MP4 file into a format that you can open on the machine/device that you are on :
Video to MP4 – Convert your file – Step One
Browse for your file on your local computer and select / drag that file across onto the Zamzar site. 
Video to MP4 – Convert your file – Step Two
Select the file format / device that you are looking to convert to.
Video to MP4 – Convert your file – Step Three
Enter your email address – this is where Zamzar will send the link for you to download your converted file.
Video to MP4 – Convert your file – Step Four
Click the button confirming you are happy for Zamzar to convert your file. You will then receive an email with a link to your converted file.
Video to MP4 – Retrieve your file – Step Five
Open the link to your file and select the download button to download your converted file. 
Video to MP4 – Open the file – Step Six
You should now be in a position to open your converted file in your media player of choice.
Hopefully this has proved useful in understanding how to convert your video files to MP4. Head across to Zamzar now to start converting.
Happy Converting !
The Zamzar Team.
How To: Embed Videos into Powerpoint
Filed under: HowTo | Tags: Embed, How To, MS Office, Powerpoint, videos, YouTube
Comments (3) 
We’re often asked here at Zamzar how you can embed videos into Microsoft Powerpoint presentations, to give them that extra “wow” factor.
We decided to put together a step by step guide to take you through the process – we’ll even tell you how you can grab a video from YouTube and use that in your presentations (without the need for an internet connection when presenting !)
Selecting the Video – From your computer
If you want to use a video which is already on your computer then follow the steps below. If you want to use a YouTube video instead just skip to the next section:
(1) Open up your web browser and go to to http://www.zamzar.com.
(2) Click the “Browse” button and find the video file you want to use within Powerpoint and select it.
Selecting the Video – From YouTube
To use a video from YouTube in your presentation just:
(1) Open up your web browser and go to http://www.zamzar.com/url.
(2) Enter the link to the YouTube video in the first box on the page.
Preparing the Video
Now that we have selected a video to use, the next step is to get that video into a format which Powerpoint can use. To do this:
(3) On the Zamzar website select a format to convert the video into from the dropdown list in “Step 2″ of the site. Select one of the 3 following formats to ensure you get a video which can then be imported into PowerPoint (they each have different benefits):
- AVI – Highest quality video, biggest file size
- MPG – Lower quality video, smaller file size
- WMV – Medium to high quality video, file size in between AVI and MPG
(5) Enter the email address where Zamzar should send the link to your converted file to.
(6) Click the “Convert” button – check all the details you entered look right then click “OK”.
(7) Hey Presto ! Within minutes the link to your converted file will appear in your email inbox – just click this link.
(8) Clicking the link in the email will take you to a page on Zamzar where you can grab your converted video file – Click the “Download Now” button and your download will start – save this to a location on your computer where you know you will find it again !
Embedding the Video
Once you have the video in a useable format the next step is to put it into your presentation:
(9) Open up your presentation in Microsoft Powerpoint (or start a new one), then follow the instructions below for the version you have:
Office 2003 – Navigate to the menu option “Insert” then Select “Movies and Sound” then “Movie from File”
Office 2007 – Navigate to the menu option “Insert” then Select “Movie” then “Movie from File”
Office 2010 – Navigate to the menu option “Insert” then Select “Video” then “Video from File”
(10) When prompted, choose whether you want PowerPoint to play the movie automatically withint your presentation or whether you would prefer to click on the image of the Movie to make it play when presenting.
You’re Done !
We’ve shown you how you can take a video file from your computer or on YouTube and embed it into your PowerPoint presentation using Zamzar.
We hope you’ve found the tutorial helpful – why not share it with friends or tell us in the comments what other tutorials you might find helpful ?
Happy Presenting !
The Zamzar Team
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