mmhmm lets you appear inside your presentation — not as a floating bubble, but as part of the slide. Instead of sharing your screen while your webcam sits in a tiny corner, mmhmm composites your camera feed directly onto your slides. That level of visual integration keeps students' attention on both you and your content simultaneously. No green screen required. It works as a standalone recorder and as a virtual camera source in Zoom, Google Meet, and other conferencing tools.
What you’ll walk away with:
- A recorded lesson where you're visually integrated with your slides — not just overlaid
- A virtual camera setup for polished live Zoom sessions without pre-recording
- Multiple layout modes you can switch mid-lesson for visual variety
- MP4 files ready to upload to your course platform
Why mmhmm for course presentations
The standard approach to recording a talking-head lesson with slides is screen sharing. You present in PowerPoint or Google Slides, share your screen, and your webcam appears as a small rectangle in the corner. The result looks like every other Zoom recording on the internet. It works, but it doesn't help your students feel like you're teaching them directly.
mmhmm changes the spatial relationship between you and your content. When you appear in front of your slides — gesturing toward a diagram, stepping aside to reveal a key point — the presentation feels more like a classroom lecture than a screen share. Research on instructor presence in video consistently shows that seeing the teacher's face increases both attention and perceived learning. mmhmm takes that a step further by integrating the instructor into the visual content itself, not just overlaying a small webcam bubble.
The app was created by Phil Libin, former CEO of Evernote, and launched in 2020 as remote presentations became a daily reality for millions of people. It's since grown into a full presentation tool with recording, virtual camera output, and a library of visual effects — all built around the idea that the presenter should be part of the content, not separated from it.
Step by step: Recording a presentation with mmhmm
Install mmhmm
Download mmhmm from mmhmm.app and install it. The app is available for Mac and Windows. During installation, mmhmm registers itself as a virtual camera on your system, which is what allows it to appear as a video source in Zoom and other conferencing apps. You'll need to grant camera and microphone permissions. If you plan to use it only for pre-recorded videos, you can skip the virtual camera setup and record directly within mmhmm.
Choose your layout
mmhmm offers several layout modes that determine how you and your content appear together:
- You + slides — your camera feed is composited onto the slide background. You appear standing or sitting in front of your presentation. This is the signature mmhmm look and works well for concept-heavy lessons.
- You + screen share — similar to a traditional screen share, but with more control over your camera size and position. Useful for software demonstrations where students need to see both you and the application.
- You over background — replaces your real background with a solid color, image, or video. No slides, just you in a clean environment. Good for introductions, Q&A segments, or any lesson where your face and voice carry the teaching.
You can switch layouts during a recording or live session, so you're not locked into one mode for the entire presentation. Start with you + slides for the core content, then switch to you over background for a closing summary.
Import your slides
If you're presenting from slides, import them directly into mmhmm. The app accepts PDF files and images. Drag your slide deck into the mmhmm window or use the import button. Once imported, your slides appear as a navigable deck within the app. You advance slides using arrow keys or clicking, just as you would in any presentation tool. Importing slides (rather than screen sharing a separate app) keeps the compositing clean and gives mmhmm full control over how your camera feed blends with the content.
Record or use as a virtual camera in Zoom
You have two options at this point. For pre-recorded lessons, click the record button in mmhmm and present as you normally would. mmhmm captures everything — your composited video, your audio, your slide transitions — into a single video file. For live sessions in Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams, open your conferencing app, go to video settings, and select "mmhmm Camera" as your camera source. Your participants will see your mmhmm presentation in real time.
The virtual camera approach is particularly useful for live course sessions where you want the visual polish of a produced presentation without pre-recording. Your students see you integrated with your slides, and you can respond to questions and adjust your pace in real time.
Export your recording
If you recorded within mmhmm, export the video when you're finished. mmhmm saves recordings as MP4 files that you can upload to any course platform. Choose 1080p resolution for the best balance of quality and file size. If you used mmhmm as a virtual camera during a live Zoom session and want to keep the recording, use Zoom's built-in recording — the mmhmm composited feed is what Zoom captures, so the recording will include your presentation layout, not just a plain webcam.
Tips for course creators
Keep your movements deliberate
Because mmhmm composites your camera feed onto your slides, sudden movements or wild gestures can look distracting against the background. Stay centered in frame. When you gesture toward a part of your slide, move your hand slowly and deliberately. This reads well on camera and draws attention where you want it. Think of it as presenting on a stage, not chatting on a video call.
Test your lighting before you record
mmhmm's background removal works best with even, front-facing light. A window behind you will cause your silhouette to blur into the slide background. A simple desk lamp pointed at your face from behind your monitor makes a noticeable difference. You don't need a ring light or studio setup — just avoid being backlit.
Use the virtual camera for rehearsal
Before recording a lesson, run through your slides once using mmhmm's virtual camera in a private Zoom meeting with only you in it. Record it. Watch the playback. You'll immediately see whether your slide transitions feel natural, whether your positioning relative to the content looks right, and whether your audio levels are consistent. This five-minute rehearsal saves you from re-recording entire lessons.
Limitations
Windows version lags behind Mac
mmhmm started as a Mac-only app, and while a Windows version exists, the Mac version remains more polished and tends to receive features first. If you're on Windows, check the current feature set before committing to a workflow built around mmhmm.
Steeper learning curve than simple screen recorders
mmhmm has a lot of layout options, effects, and settings. Your first session will involve experimenting with backgrounds, adjusting camera positioning, and figuring out which layout works for your content. Budget 30 minutes to explore before you try to record a real lesson.
Free plan includes a watermark
The free plan includes a watermark on recordings and limits access to backgrounds and effects. For course content you plan to sell, the Premium plan at $8.33/month (billed annually) removes the watermark and unlocks the full feature set. If you only need mmhmm for occasional live sessions via the virtual camera (not recordings), the free plan may be sufficient since the watermark doesn't appear in virtual camera output in all configurations.
Frequently asked questions
Does mmhmm work on Windows or only Mac?
mmhmm started as a Mac-only app but now has a Windows version as well. However, the Mac version has been available longer and tends to get new features first. Both versions support the virtual camera, slide import, and background effects. Check mmhmm.app for the latest on feature parity between platforms.
Can I use mmhmm as a virtual camera in Zoom for live course sessions?
Yes. mmhmm installs a virtual camera that appears as a selectable video source in Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and most other video conferencing apps. Choose "mmhmm Camera" as your video input and your participants will see your mmhmm presentation — slides behind you, picture-in-picture, or any layout you've configured — instead of a plain webcam feed.
What are the limits of mmhmm's free plan?
The free plan lets you use the virtual camera and basic layouts with a small mmhmm watermark on recordings. You get access to a limited set of backgrounds and effects. The Premium plan ($8.33/month billed annually) removes the watermark, unlocks all backgrounds and effects, and adds features like custom branding and higher-resolution recording. For testing the workflow, the free plan is sufficient.
Related guides
- How to Run Live Course Sessions Using Zoom — pair mmhmm's virtual camera with Zoom for polished live teaching
- How to Record Course Lessons Using Loom — simpler screen-and-camera recording when you don't need slide compositing
- How to Record Course Lessons Using Tella — post-production editing with layout changes after recording
- How to Create Your First Online Course — complete guide from idea to launch
From presentation to published course
mmhmm gives your recorded lessons a visual quality that stands out — you're integrated with your content, not hovering in a corner above it. Once you have your MP4 files exported, the next step is getting them into a course where students can enroll, watch in order, and track their progress. Ruzuku lets you create unlimited courses for free with zero transaction fees. Upload your mmhmm recordings, organize them into modules, and open enrollment. Your polished presentations deserve a platform that matches their quality.