9 Must-Have Features in Top Multimedia Presentation Software

Looking for the top multimedia presentation software solutions in today’s market? You’ll find quite a few choices, each with its own focus and mix of features. Some features are common across all solutions, but others are unique.

If you’re looking for guidance on what you need to create beautiful, engaging presentations, consider these must-have features and look for a solution that can deliver everything you need on this list.

1. Advanced Slide Editor with Drag and Drop Interface

Whatever you’re using multimedia presentation tools for — whether you’re looking for a slight step up from PowerPoint presentations or you need presentation tools that can handle significant video and animation files — an advanced slide and content editor is a must.

You need the ability to create beautiful, high quality visuals. Slide decks, video overlays, frames, lower thirds, and more all face the same limitation: they can only be as good as the editor you’re using to create them.

Sure, you could technically kick graphics out to a separate editing software solution. But the more you can do in your main presentation suite and the less you have to fire up Photoshop or Illustrator, the better.

Look for a multimedia presentation solution that includes a powerful slide editor that remains easy to learn and use. Drag and drop capability (like what you get in ProPresenter) adds speed and ease of use to your workflow.

2. Support for a Wide Range of File Formats

Here, multimedia presentation software diverges from office-oriented products like PowerPoint and Google slides. Those products need only include minimal support for external media: anything beyond JPEGs, PNGs, and basic video formats just isn’t necessary.

Multimedia professionals need more support for videos and images in their workflows. That’s where pro-grade multimedia solutions like ProPresenter come into play.

Look for products that can support a wide spectrum of audio, photo, and video file formats. You never know what obscure formats might become mission-critical, so find a solution with the widest possible support.

3. Robust Video Support

Robust video support goes beyond just supported file formats. You need software that can read video files but also finer control over how that video gets presented.

The best multimedia presentation software gives you absolute flexibility: run your video full screen with an invisible interface, in a frame, in the background or the foreground, on loop or timer or trigger. Anything less doesn’t cut it for your needs.

Also worth evaluating is video editing capabilities. If you’re a pro video editor, you’ll use another tool like Final Cut for heavy-duty edits. But you’ll certainly enjoy being able to quickly color-correct, crop, and trim video content without kicking out to Final Cut.

4. Real-Time Presentation Edits on the Fly

Multimedia presentations run the gamut: some are infinitely polished shows that never change, while others are dynamic and fluid, finalized only moments before showtime. If your use cases look more like the latter, look for a solution that allows you to make edits on the fly.

You know the pain of being in the middle of a PowerPoint show, only to discover an embarrassing mistake or flaw. Good luck fixing it without anyone noticing.

There are better solutions to this problem. ProPresenter doesn’t lock you out of editing while presenting — in fact, there’s no separate presentation mode at all. Your entire show is accessible for editing at all times, allowing you to make discreet corrections on the fly.

5. Multiple Inputs and Outputs

Many multimedia presentation use cases are far more complex than just a computer and a single projector. As your workflows grow in complexity, you need tools that can handle multiple inputs and outputs — including in unorthodox resolution combinations, quality, and shape combinations.

Many solutions limit you to a single output or add only an inflexible presenter view to the mix. For rich media presentations and multi-screen environments, that isn’t enough.

ProPresenter is the most powerful, most flexible software product on the market regarding video outputs. Using its unique multi-layer file architecture, ProPresenter can route different groupings or layers of content to the displays of your choice. And it doesn’t bat an eye no matter what kinds of screens or resolutions you’re combining.

Giant 9128 x 1200 LED video wall? 1080p projector? Low-def TV? Wraparound stadium displays? ProPresenter handles it all — from a single file and a single PC or Mac.

6. Advanced Audio Routing

We’ve said a lot about video, but audio is just as important to an immersive multimedia experience. Just like with video, a single audio output may not always be enough for your needs.

Pro-grade tools like ProPresenter offer support for up to 16 audio routing channels so you can handle even the most complex audio setups.

7. Support for Lower Thirds

If your multimedia presentation needs include live video, broadcasting, or similar materials, then support for lower thirds is another must-have feature. These on-screen overlays communicate vital information; you don’t want to be caught without the capability.

8. Powerful Redundancy for Crucial Environments

It’s never good when your presentation freezes or your presenting computer crashes. This is an embarrassment in the office or the conference room, nothing worse.

But some multimedia environments carry higher stakes. Pro sports arenas, commercial entertainment venues, and the like can’t afford failure. In environments like these, you need redundancy capabilities.

ProPresenter offers redundancy technology called Network Link: this powerful feature can drive unlimited simultaneous systems via network. Network Link seamlessly switches to a redundant backup system if your primary system freezes or fails.

9. Support for Pro Hardware and Formats

In the multimedia space, there’s a greater chance you’re working with professional-grade hardware and formats. Blackmagic hardware, video switchers, pro-grade cameras, and audio interfaces can accomplish so much, but they can create software support headaches if you’re using a standard presentation app.

The same goes for broadcast formats like broadcast over NDI, SDI, or Syphon. PowerPoint can’t speak the language without some kind of additional external hardware; neither can Google Slides or Canva or most cloud-based tools.

But ProPresenter can.

ProPresenter is built with the needs of professionals in view. From hardware to software integrations to formats, ProPresenter is more robust and more flexible than just about anyone else.

ProPresenter: The Multimedia Presentation Software You Need

From the viewer’s perspective, a good presentation is seamless — almost magical — in its delivery. But you know the effort and time that goes into creating that immersive experience.

ProPresenter is the only solution that both expands your capabilities and simplifies your workflow.

But don’t take our word for it: you can see ProPresenter in action for yourself. Start your unrestricted two-week trial today.