Zoom has a “virtual background” function that allows you to set any image or video background to hide the state of the room.

This article explains how to set a video background using the virtual background function, and points to note when using it.

Video background settings can be used from the free plan, so if you have many opportunities to use Zoom meetings at home, please refer to it.

Preparing for applying a video background with Zoom

First, let’s check the machine specs and enable the virtual background function as preparations for setting the video background on Zoom.

Step 1. Check recommended specs for video background settings

We recommend MP4 or MOV files with a resolution of 480×360 pixels (360p) to 1920×1080 pixels (1080p) for videos to be set as video backgrounds.

Also, in order to use Zoom’s video background function, the device used must meet the specifications required by Zoom.

Here, the specifications for using Zoom’s video background function are described below as an example with no green screen and 720p resolution.

Windows (no green screen, 720p resolution video background)

MacOS (no green screen, 720p resolution video background)

Step 2. Enable Virtual Background Feature

At the stage of installing the Zoom app, the virtual background function may still be disabled.

To enable the virtual background feature, follow the steps below.

1. Go to the Zoom website (https://zoom.us/) and sign in
2. Click “Settings”
3. Click on the “Virtual Background” item to turn it on

By activating the function, you will be able to set the virtual background from the desktop application version of Zoom.

How to set the virtual background function

Once the preparations are completed, we will actually set the video background using the virtual background function.

Here, we explain how to set up from the desktop application and how to set up from the smartphone.

If you decide the video background in advance

Here’s how to set a video background from the desktop app before the meeting starts.

1. Launch the Zoom app
2. Click Settings (gear icon) in the upper right corner of the screen
3. Click “Backgrounds and Filters”
4. Select from the list or select the “+” icon to upload any video background

If you want to add a video background during your meeting

Here’s how to add a video background or change the type after the meeting has started.

1. Launch the Zoom app and start the meeting
2. Click the “△” to the right of “Stop Video” in the menu at the bottom of the screen
3. Click “Choose a virtual background” (or “Choose a virtual background”)
4. Select from the list or select the “+” icon to upload any video

Can I use it from my smartphone?

It is possible to use virtual backgrounds on smartphones, but smartphones only support still images.

You cannot set a video background, so prepare a static background image.

The procedure to use the virtual background from the smartphone is as follows.

1. Launch the Zoom app and start the meeting
2. Tap the bottom of the screen and tap “Details” from the menu that appears.
3. Tap “Backgrounds and filters”
4. Select from the list or tap the “+” icon to upload any image

Points to note when setting image/video backgrounds in Zoom

Finally, let’s take a closer look at what to keep in mind when setting an image or video background in Zoom.

It is recommended that the color of the background and the clothes should not be the same.

Zoom’s virtual background function automatically identifies the background and the person, and reflects the image/video background in the background.

Therefore, if you start Zoom wearing clothes that are the same color as the wall or screen, part of the clothes may be recognized as the background, and the range of the virtual background may become unnatural.

When using the virtual background, it will look better if you wear clothes that are different from the background color.

Also, it is recommended to choose a solid color or single color for the background itself as much as possible.

It is ideal to prepare a green screen, but if it is difficult, the video background will be reflected relatively beautifully even on a white wall.

Camera mirroring settings

By default, Zoom’s camera mirroring function is enabled, and the screen looks like a mirror image.

Therefore, if you apply a video background that contains text, the text will be flipped horizontally on your screen, but don’t worry, it will be displayed correctly on the other party’s screen.

If you dare to cancel mirroring, you can disable it by following the steps below.

1. Launch the Zoom app
2. Click Settings (gear icon) in the upper right corner of the screen
3. Click “Video”
4. Uncheck “Mirror My Videos”

summary

• Virtual backgrounds can be used when using Zoom on devices that meet certain conditions.
• You can set a still image or video background on the desktop app, or a still image background on the mobile app.
• When using the virtual background, check the color of the background and clothes and the mirroring settings of the camera to make it smooth.

Applying a video background makes the meeting screen move, so it is recommended for online drinking parties.

In addition to images and video backgrounds, PowerPoint slide shows can also be displayed in the background, so it is a good idea to remember the virtual background function even for business use.