As people work from home or attend online classes, video conferencing apps have become an essential part of their daily life. Zoom is one of the most widely used video conferencing apps out there, and it offers a lot of interesting features to enhance the conference experience. One such feature is the ability to change the background of your video, which is particularly useful when you have a messy room or a distracting background. In this blog, we will be discussing some methods to change the background of your video during a Zoom conference.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the methods of changing the background, there are few prerequisites that you need to have.
1. First and foremost, you need to have a Zoom account on your Mac. If you haven’t already, download and install Zoom on your Mac.
2. Make sure your Mac is running macOS 10.9 or later versions.
3. Have a stable internet connection and a webcam.
What Should I Pay Attention to?
Before you decide to change your Zoom background, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
1. Make sure you have a plain, uniform background. Avoid using cluttered backgrounds, as it may interfere with the video quality.
2. Be careful while moving your hands or any objects in front of your body while on a conference. The app may not be able to distinguish between the background and the objects.
3. Make sure to wear solid, contrasting colors that are not similar to the background.
Method 1: Change Background during a Conference Call
Pros
– Most convenient method
– No need to switch between apps
– Real-time change
Cons
– Limited backgrounds available
– Unable to preview the background before applying it
1. Open the Zoom app on your Mac and join a conference call.
2. Look for the "Video" option at the bottom and click on the upward arrow next to it.
3. Select "Choose Virtual Background" from the drop-down menu.
4. Select one of the virtual backgrounds available, or click on the "+" icon to add a new one from your photo library.
5. Once you have selected the background, it will be applied immediately.
Method 2: Change Background from Zoom Preferences
Pros
– More background options
– The ability to preview the background before applying it
Cons
– Need to exit the conference call to change the background
– Unable to change the background during the call
1. Open the Zoom app on your Mac and click on "Zoom.us" in the menu bar.
2. Select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on the "Virtual Background" option from the left pane.
4. Choose one of the default backgrounds or click on the "+" icon to add a new one from your photo library.
5. Click on the "X" icon to exit the preferences window.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Apps
Pros
– More options for custom backgrounds
– Advanced editing tools
Cons
– Need to switch between apps
– May affect system performance
1. Download and install a third-party app such as Camo, ChromaCam, or ManyCam on your Mac.
2. Open the app and select a custom background or upload your own background.
3. Launch Zoom and join a conference call.
4. Click on the "Video" option at the bottom and select the virtual camera option from the drop-down menu.
5. Choose the third-party app as the virtual camera source.
6. The custom background will now be visible on your Zoom call.
Why Can’t I Change My Zoom Background on Mac?
1. The version of macOS on your Mac is outdated, and it does not support virtual backgrounds in Zoom.
Fix: Update your Mac to the latest available version of macOS.
2. Your Mac does not meet the minimum requirements for virtual backgrounds in Zoom.
Fix: Check if your Mac meets the requirements mentioned above.
3. You have disabled the virtual background feature in Zoom.
Fix: Enable virtual backgrounds in the "Meeting" section of Zoom’s settings.
Suggestions
1. Experiment with different types of backgrounds to find the one that suits you the best.
2. Avoid using a video as your background as it may affect the video quality and may be distracting for other participants.
3. Always test your background before joining a conference call.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a GIF as my Zoom background?
A: Yes, you can use GIFs as your Zoom background.
Q: How do I remove the virtual background in Zoom?
A: To remove the virtual background during a call, select "None" as the option. To remove the virtual background for all calls, go to Preferences > Virtual Background > None.
Q: Why does my virtual background look choppy?
A: The virtual background may look choppy if the system requirements are not met or the internet connection is slow. Try using a plain image or deactivating the virtual background feature.
Q: Can I use a green screen for virtual backgrounds in Zoom?
A: Yes, you can use a green screen for virtual backgrounds in Zoom.
Q: How do I upload my own custom background to Zoom?
A: Open Zoom’s preferences > Virtual Background > Click on the "+" icon > Select the image from your photo library.
Conclusion
Changing the virtual background in Zoom is a great way to spice up your video conferencing experience. Use one of the above-mentioned methods to change your virtual background during a conference call. Make sure to follow the tips and suggestions to ensure a high-quality video experience.