Question

Zoom: Backgrounds and filters - this is how it works

Answer 1

requirements
Change zoom background
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
5th step:
Video
Use zoom filter
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
Quick guide: change the background

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How to spice up video conferences with fancy video backgrounds or filters!

Video call between palm trees? Or would you rather be a unicorn? This is very easy to do with the "virtual background" and "video filter" zoom functions. So you can add a little pep to your meetings in Zoom and have fun at the same time. Here we explain how to use different backgrounds and filters in Zoom.

• requirements
• Change zoom background
• Use zoom filter

requirements

So that Zoom detects and fades out your background as completely as possible, it should have a uniform color . Unlike the green or blue screens used in films or on television, your background can be any other color. It is important that you and your background are well lit so that Zoom can clearly see the background color. This is also important if you plan to use a filter. Your face must be clearly recognizable and fully visible in your video. When shadows are cast, it can happen that areas of the background do not become transparent. It would therefore be ideal with two light sources to work - one light source for the background and one light source for you. Finally, you should avoid having the color of your background in your clothing , because it will then also become transparent, so that a kind of "floating head" effect can arise. Depending on whether you have a green screen or not, the requirements also depend on your computer system. If you don't have a green screen , you need at least Windows 10 or macOS 10.13 and a sixth generation Intel i5 or i7 dual-core processor ..

Change zoom background

We'll show you below how to change the background in Zoom's Windows app. The steps may differ in the web version. Follow our step-by-step instructions , the quick start guide or the explanatory video .

1st step:

Start Zoom and go to the gear icon in the top right corner .

2nd step:

Then switch to " Background & Filters " and " Virtual Backgrounds " in the menu on the left . Either select an existing background here or upload your own image. We'll show you how to do this in the next step.

3rd step:

To add your own background , click the plus icon on the right and then click " Add Image ".

4th step:

Now go to the directory on your computer that contains the image file that you want to use as a background. Make sure that it has a sufficient picture quality (e.g. HD format 1280x720 or Full-HD 1920x1080). Select the file and click " Open ". Zoom then automatically replaces the monochrome area in the background.

5th step:

If you are already in a meeting, you can still quickly replace the real background with a virtual one. To do this, go to the small arrow next to " End video " and then to " Select a virtual background ... ".

Video

Use zoom filter

Filters can be used to project funny things onto your face. In no time at all, you'll quickly become a mouse or have a cool hat on. Below we explain how to use filters in the Zoom Windows app. The steps in the web version may differ..

1st step:

Open the Zoom application on your computer and click the gear icon in the upper right corner to open the app's settings.

2nd step:

In the " Background & Filters " category on the right, select " Video Filters ". Here you can then choose between various filters that should be applied to your face. If you do not want to have a filter, simply select " None ".

3rd step:

This is how you look, for example, with a filter.

Quick guide: change the background

1. Start Zoom and click on the little gear icon in the upper right corner.
2. Go to " Background & Filters " on the left and then select " Virtual Backgrounds ". If you don't have a background to choose from, we'll show you how to add one in the next step.
3. Click on the plus symbol and then on " Add picture ".
4. Find the image file that you would like to insert as a background and then click on " Open ".
5. To change the background during a meeting, go to the small arrow next to "End video" and then to " Choose a virtual background ".

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