We’ve all been spending more time in video conferences in recent months. Zoom, Teams, Meet, Whereby, and others help us with almost weekly new features to make video calls as smooth as possible.
But: the video sessions aren’t really fun.
The World is a Grid
This is because they all run and look the same. First, we struggle with microphones and video cameras (usually the only fun moment), and once everyone is online, we stare at the same grid for hours. The backgrounds of individuals are partly intentionally neutral, partly unfortunate in backlight, often filled with boring book walls.
Sometimes these grids remind me of a beloved TV show from my childhood – just with less fun.
So today, two tips on how to spice up your own screen presence for others.
Tip 1: OBS Stream
Open Broadcaster Software (aka OBS) is a popular and free software to enhance the live video image.
In OBS, you set up so-called scenes. A scene combines any number of different elements. Besides the actual video image, you can add background graphics, run presentations, display fonts, graphics or websites… there are no limits to your imagination. Of course, you can also prepare several such scenes and then switch between them using keyboard shortcuts.
The OBS stream can be selected and displayed like a normal camera in any video call.
Tip 2: Mmhmm
Because OBS ultimately requires some familiarization and getting used to, there’s a brand new software that you can start using right away.
With mmhmm, you get your own stage preconfigured very conveniently. You can choose a suitable background, as a still life or animated. You can place yourself on the stage via webcam – automatically cut out or in a frame. Ideally, you have a green screen, but it works quite well without one too.
The highlight is that you can place another window between yourself and the background. In this window, you can play images, animations, or videos. The window can also accommodate PowerPoint presentations or display documents. Or you can even display the live image of a smartphone or tablet in this window.
The trick is that you can change the stage live with keyboard shortcuts. Sometimes the insert comes to the foreground as a full screen, sometimes I take up this space in full size.
It’s all very intuitive and simply fun. I see great potential here in education when coaches want to present their presentations attractively.
As with OBS, you can simply select mmhmm as a virtual camera in Zoom and Co. and thus integrate the image into the video conference.
mmhmm is definitely a recommendation. I was able to try out the tool already in the beta phase. Now it’s officially available for Mac. A Windows version will follow. More information is available here.
