How do I put a presentation in my pocket?

January 15, 2008 4:14 PM

If I am looking to play videos off a USB key at presentations, what software should I load onto it for maximum compatibility?

A client of mine travels extensively and often requires video clips at presentations mostly around North America but sometimes overseas as well. In the past, I have burned the video clips onto DVDs with menus to try and ensure maximum compatibility, but I am considering putting everything on a USB key so I can send the files over the internet instead of having to send a DVD for every presentation.

I want to be able to load everything onto a USB key and simply have my client plug in the USB key and everything will be good to go on a standard Windows machine. I assume most places are using XP, but the solution has to be able to work on any Vista machines too. Bonus points if you can make it Mac compatible too.

1) What portable video player would you recommend that can fit on a USB key? (2 GB)
2) What file format would be best for videos for this purpose?
3) Any other suggestions?

Thanks everyone!

posted by perpetualstroll to computers & internet (6 comments total)

Could you not simply ensure that the videos are playable over Windows Media Player and Quicktime? I imagine that would cover most eventualities. Otherwise, VLC portable might work.
posted by MadamM at 4:17 PM on January 15, 2008

Although that looks to only work with Windows...
posted by MadamM at 4:18 PM on January 15, 2008

VLC Media Player Portable - it plays several different formats such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, WMV, mp3, ogg.... I'd suggest .avi but try out the current format of your video and see how it does in VLC.
posted by Kioki-Silver at 4:22 PM on January 15, 2008

Nthing VLC portable. I keep a copy on my USB stick at school, and it's always worked for me when I've had to show videos in class.
posted by fvox13 at 5:19 PM on January 15, 2008

There's Mac versions of VLC here.

If your presentations are PowerPoint 2007, you need this file to show them on pre-2007 versions of Office.

Include a copy of the presentation (and handouts too) in PDF format. If all else fails, as long as they have some kind of computer your presenter will be able to page through the presentation PDF.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:19 PM on January 15, 2008

Am I the only one here in love when Gom when I'm in Windows?
posted by fogster at 10:02 PM on January 15, 2008