Zoom update: Filters, Lighting, and PowerPower as a background
Posted on: 08/05/2020
Zoom has released a major update on August 4, 2020. It is Zoom's best update for 2020. Zoom update is version 5.2.0 is now out and it contains changes to existing features including passwords now being called passcodes for meetings and webinars. Other changes with the August 2020 update include eleven new and enhanced features for meetings/webinars.
Screenshot of Video Filters in Zoom
In this blog post and the video below, I'm covering three of the major changes for Zoom Meetings
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Video Filters - detailed steps below and screenshots
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Adjust for low light - detailed steps below and screenshots
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PowerPoint as virtual background
Here is a list of the new / enhanced meeting/webinar features in Zoom
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Video Filters
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Adjust for low light - video brightness
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Share PowerPoint as a Virtual Background in Beta
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Share files with Microsoft SharePoint
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Improved Waiting Room notifications
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Adjust Touch up my Appearance
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Additional meeting reactions
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Improved background noise suppression
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Settings for hardware acceleration for screen sharing and whiteboard
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Support for Virtual Background on additional processors
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Support for gallery view for 49 participants on additional processors
Video Filters
Steps to use video filters
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In a Zoom meeting, click the upward arrow (^) next to Start/Stop Video.
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Click Choose video filter.
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Select a video filter
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Close the Setting window.
PowerPoint as a virtual background
In Beta mode, but it is working! You can use a PowerPoint deck or presentation as your virtual background. This is one virtual background you do not use by going to virtual backgrounds. You share your screen to use this feature.
Steps to use PowerPoint as a Virtual Background
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Click Share Screen
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Click Advanced
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Click PowerPoint as Virtual Background
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Select your PowerPoint deck or slide show
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Click Open.
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You can resize and move your image if you want
Tip - you can Hide Self view. Notice I'm on the screenshot above in the lower right corner, which I want, but I'm also on top fo the PowerPoint slide presentation, which I may not want.
To Hide Self View, click the three dots and select Hide Self View.
Zoom - Adjust for low light
Another new feature in the August update is the ability to adjust for low light.
Steps to adjust for low light
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In a Zoom meeting, click the upward arrow (^) next to Start/Stop Video.
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Click Video Settings and you are on video.
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Make Adjust for low light either Auto or Manual. If Manual, you can adjust the slider
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You can also uncheck Adjust for low light.
Chris Menard
Chris Menard is a certified Microsoft Trainer (MCT) and works as a full-time Trainer at BakerHostetler - one of the largest law firms in the US. He runs a YouTube channel with 900+ technology videos that cover various tools such as Excel, Word, Zoom, Teams, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Outlook. To date, the channel has helped over 20 million viewers.
Menard also does 2 to 3 public speaking events every year, presenting at the Administrative Professional Conference (APC), the EA Ignite Conference, the Support Staff Conference, the University of Georgia, and CPA conferences. You can connect with him on LinkedIn at https://chrismenardtraining.com/linkedin or watch his videos on YouTube at https://chrismenardtraining.com/youtube.
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