Top 7 Zoom Virtual Background Tips and Tricks

In this article, we'll share our Top 7 Zoom Virtual Background Tips and Tricks to amp up your video calls. We'll provide clear, concise instruction for each item to help you replicate it. These Zoom video effects provide you with a little entertainment for otherwise boring meetings.

7 Zoom Virtual Background Tips and Tricks

In this article, we'll share our top 7 Zoom virtual background tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your meetings.

#1 Virtual Background Setup

Now in order to use the virtual background effect, you'll need to ensure the options have been turned on inside your Zoom account. We recommend creating a free Zoom account so you can access these features, including the virtual background options.

Once logged into your account on a browser window, click on Account Settings, then click on In Meeting Advanced and scroll down. Make sure both the Virtual Background button as well as the Allow Use of Videos for Virtual Backgrounds button are enabled. You'll also want to enable the Virtual Filters option as well.

Now, jump inside Zoom, click on the Video Settings at the bottom of your screen, then click on to Backgrounds and Filters to enter the Virtual Backgrounds gallery. Zoom will provide you with a few sample backgrounds to use as well as the Blur background effect. Or you can upload your own virtual background by clicking the plus icon and selecting to add an image or a virtual background. Click Here if you'd like for us to create a professional Zoom virtual background for you.

If it looks like the background is bleeding onto your face, this means that your computer or device is not compatible to use Zoom virtual background without a green screen. You'll want to check the Zoom system requirements for virtual backgrounds to check if your device is compatible. If it's not compatible for the virtual background without a green, not to worry, if this is the case for you, then you'll simply want to acquire an actual green screen to use the effect. Which brings us to our next item...

#2 Virtual Background With Green Screen

There are a lot of you out there who can't partake in the virtual background shenanigans because your machine isn't compatible without a green screen. In an effort to check if your machine is compatible for virtual background without a green screen, you'll need to check the Zoom system requirements. Assuming you cannot use a virtual background without a green screen, the next best option is to use a green screen.

You can certainly purchase a green screen online, we personally enjoy the WebAround green screen which installs on the back of your chair to fill your background with nothing but green.

Another option, a more affordable option perhaps, is using a green table cloth like this one from Amazon. We like to fold it in half, then mount it to the wall. 

Now, inside Zoom, we'll click on the Video Settings, then Backgrounds and Filters, then click the check box for "I have a green screen." Next, click into the oval icon in your video frame and using your mouse simply click into the green area to tell Zoom this is the green screen. Once you do that you'll instantly see your virtual background take effect. 

#3 Create Your Own Virtual Background

Now that we've solved the issue for your virtual background not working, let me show you the next item on how to create your own virtual background. Making a virtual background is quite simple, whether you want to use a background from a TV show or something more professional like placing your company logo on the background.

Essentially any image, graphic or video can be used a background. However, to ensure it displays properly inside the call, you'll want to make sure it's properly formatted at a size of 1920 by 1080 which is a 16 by 9 widescreen canvas. Now, you may be wondering how to properly format an image for the Zoom background. The easiest way to do this is to use a free application called Kapwing.  Click here to create a free Kapwing account. 

Once inside Kapwing, you'll click on New Project and then upload your own images. Once the image has been loaded, you'll simply select the image by clicking on it, then click on the Crop button and select the 16:9 option and click done. Go ahead and size and position your image so it fills the screen, then click on the Export Image button and then click to download the image to your files. Now you can jump back into Zoom and upload this image as your virtual background. The sky's the limit on this one, your background can be anything you want it to be. 

If you'd just like to hire us to make it for you, Click Here.  We can create a professional virtual background with your company logo for you to use.
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#4 Video As A Virtual Background

Next up, is using Video as a virtual background. Not all Zoom users will have access to the video as a background option. Again, it all has to do with whether or not your machine is compatible with the feature.

The same sizing format applies for video backgrounds, 1920x1080. You can use just about any video you'd like, but it needs to be in a file format of .mov or .mp4. Should your video not be one of these formats, you can simply upload it into Kapwing and export it straight out to create the correct file format.  Click here to create a free Kapwing account. 

You can get quite creative with these video backgrounds, just make sure it's appropriate and not too distracting for certain types of Zoom meetings. ​

#5 Clone Yourself On Video

One clever trick to be used along with the video as a background effect is to clone yourself on video. Cloning yourself allows you to fake your appearance on a Zoom call. Now you can use this effect to be sneaky during calls as well as use it to have fun with your friends.

Basically, you'll record a clip of yourself looking attentively at the camera, then use this recording as your actual video background. Go ahead and launch a Zoom call, just by yourself. Once inside, click on the Record button to begin recording. Now look up at the camera and casually make it look like you're paying attention, perhaps smiling or nodding periodically. Record this clip for 1 - 2 minutes. Once you have your recorded clip, go ahead and end that meeting so the clip will process.

Now, when you review your recorded clip, you'll see that you are looking down then up at the beginning and looking down again at the end. You certainly cannot leave those parts in it, so you'll need to trim the video so it creates a seamless video loop. To trim this video clip, hop over to Kapwing and upload your video clip.  Click here to create a free Kapwing account. 

Once it's uploaded, select it and then click on the Trim button. Now simply trim the beginning to where you're looking at the camera, and do the same at the end before you look down. After you've positioned those, simply click on the Done button, then onto the Export Video button. Once that clip has processed you'll be able to download it to your videos. Then simply upload that file into your Zoom by clicking on Add Video. When that clip has been loaded, you'll see your Cloned self on video looking attentive, and simply slide your real self out of the frame, to only reveal your cloned version. Just be ready to click this option OFF, should you be called on to participate in the call.

#6 Presentation Slides as Virtual Background

This next trick allows you to integrate your video feed onto a presentation slide, giving you the ability to present your material while also being present. Before you start this one, you'll want to have a PowerPoint presentation available that you can share inside Zoom. Inside Zoom, click on the share screen button, then click over into the Advanced tab and select Slides as Virtual Background, then click on the Share button to upload your presentation file. Once the file has been uploaded, you'll see it on screen as well as your own video feed.

Now this is the virtual background without a green screen effect taking place over top of your presentation. So if you're unable to use backgrounds without a green screen, you won't be able to use this effect either. The video feed can be resized to fill the frame or made smaller to fit a corner and be placed anywhere on the screen. Keep in mind though, that anywhere you are on the screen may block important content on your slides so size and place slides accordingly. ​

#7 Virtual Backgrounds on Mobile

When it comes to virtual backgrounds on Mobile, you'll need to adhere to the system requirements once more. The virtual background feature is now available on most Android devices, as well as iOS devices, iPhone 8 or newer. Once inside a meeting on the Zoom mobile app, you'll press on the More dots to reveal the option to enable the virtual background on your device. Once clicked, you'll be able to use the sample backgrounds or click this Plus icon to upload your own background. Now the sizing of the background remains the same, however, if you're using the app in a vertical orientation, Zoom will show the center of that image as the background. If you tilt your device horizontal, then your image will show full screen. At this time, video as a virtual background is not supported on mobile. ​

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