Microsoft Teams wants to make its weirdest feature actually worth using
Improved green screens are coming to Microsoft Teams
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Making the most ofvirtual backgroundsinMicrosoftTeams might actually get easier and more intuitive thanks to a new release from the company.
Thevideo conferencingservice announced in March 2023 that it would bebringing green screen technologyto help boost the detail and accuracy of virtual backgrounds and blur effects without the need for any additional software or hardware.
Now, the company has revealed more details on exactly how the new tool will work, and how it belives green screens can take yourMicrosoft Teamscalls to the next level.
Green screen Microsoft Teams
In a Microsoft Tech Communityblog post, company expert Jan Steberl outlined how the green screen feature, which is now in public preview, can provide, “an enhanced virtual background effect”.
He noted how, “green screen improves the sharpness and definition of the virtual background effect around your face, head, ears, and hair. It also allows you to show a prop or other object in your hand to be more visible to other meeting participants.”
Users will need to ensure they have a solid color screen or a background wall behind them to use the feature, which must be flat without any stains or other irregularities. They will also need to carefully select the backdrop color in order to ensure the background or blur effect is applied correctly and looks high-quality.
This could be the most pointless Microsoft Teams meeting update yet>How to hide your background in video conferencing>We’ve also listed the best business webcams right now
Steberl reminded users that they will need to apply a background effect in Teams meeting before enabling the green screen effect, which can be done after joining the call by clicking the “More” icon in the meeting toolbar, then selectingVideo effects > Green Screen Settingsin the Backgrounds section, and toggling the option underTeams settings -> Devices -> Green screen.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
He did warn that activating a green screen will automatically disable background blur and Together Mode, although it is compatible with several Presenter mode options, including Standout, Side-by-Side and Reporter, PowerPoint Live Standout, and background replacement (JPEG/PNG).
Green screen on Microsoft Teams is currently only supported on Windows and macOS devices withIntelandAMDchips -AppleMacs with M1/M2 hardware are not able to enjoy the feature just yet.
Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK’s leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he’s not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.
7 myths about email security everyone should stop believing
Best Usenet client of 2024
How to turn off Meta AI
