For my latest experiment in the “Build in 60 Minutes” series, I delved into transforming PowerPoints into dynamic videos. The aim? To craft a captivating pitch video, in contrast to an in-depth review. Ideal for startups looking to captivate visitors on their website’s landing page.

To begin, I employed beautiful.ai to craft my presentation. Leveraging its “generate slide with AI” feature, I whipped up slides that felt familiar to traditional training videos. The twist? Instead of the usual how-to guides, I focused on transforming features into compelling selling points for the pitch.

However, moving my content into PowerPoint wasn’t as swift as I’d hoped. Uploading the modest 6.1MB file involved more than mere data transfer. It involved intricate processing, converting each slide into a fresh scene for the upcoming Synthesia video.
Once the PowerPoint content settled into Synthesia, the software effortlessly converted each slide into a backdrop, setting the stage for what was to come.
I then added accompanying scripts for each of the six slides, ensuring a one-second pause at the conclusion for that touch of realism.

For the presentation’s voice? I opted for “Jack” – an AI-generated avatar in Synthesia known for his youthful tone. And as I embarked on this journey, I realized that Synthesia required minimal intervention. The majority of my efforts were poured into perfecting the PowerPoint.
Finally, with all elements in place, I hit the export button – triumphantly wrapping up well within my 60-minute challenge.
What Went Well
– Ease of Use: Once the PowerPoint was uploaded, Synthesia was quite intuitive. Most of the work was done on the PowerPoint side, so minimal intervention was needed in Synthesia.
– Flexibility with Content: Using beautiful.ai for generating slides and Synthesia’s tools allowed for a unique combination of AI functionalities to create a pitch video.
– Natural Transitions: The added 1-second pause at the end of each script made the video flow more naturally, enhancing viewer experience.
– Timely Export: Even with processing and adjustments, I managed to finish well before the one-hour challenge deadline.
What Didn’t Go Well
– Upload & Processing Time: Uploading the PowerPoint took longer than anticipated due to the additional processing time. It’s not a simple upload and can be time-consuming, especially for larger files.
– Pre-set Limitations: While “Jack” was a great choice for this demonstration, the range of AI avatars and their tonalities might limit users looking for a specific style or voice.
The Final Result
In conclusion, my experiment with Synthesia provided valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of the platform. It’s a promising tool for businesses and individuals who wish to diversify their video content. However, as with any tool, it’s essential to plan and allocate time for unforeseen challenges.
FAQs
How does the PowerPoint import feature in Synthesia work?
When you upload a PowerPoint to Synthesia, it processes each slide, turning them into scenes for a video. It’s not a mere upload but includes a transformation where each slide becomes a background for the video.
Who is “Jack”?
Jack is one of the AI avatars available in Synthesia, known for his youthful tonality.
How long does the upload and processing usually take?
The time can vary depending on the file size and complexity. However, be aware that processing does add to the time since each slide is transformed into a scene for your video.
Is there any way to speed up the processing time?
As of now, the processing time largely depends on Synthesia’s system and the complexity of the PowerPoint. It’s always recommended to check for updates or newer versions of the platform which might have enhanced capabilities.