Zoom automatically mirrors your video for your self-view by default, making it feel like you're looking into a mirror. This setting can be easily adjusted within the video options during a meeting to suit your preference or specific needs.
Understanding Zoom's Video Mirroring
When you're in a Zoom meeting, the "Mirror My Video" setting controls how you see your own video feed. By default, it's usually on, meaning your video appears to you as if you're looking into a mirror (e.g., if you raise your right hand, your mirrored video shows a person raising their left hand, which is what you see in a mirror).
Important Note: This setting only affects your self-view. Other participants in the meeting will always see the un-mirrored, correct orientation of your video, regardless of your personal setting. So, if you're holding up text or demonstrating something, it will appear correctly to everyone else, even if it looks backward to you when "Mirror My Video" is off.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adjust Mirroring
You can quickly turn on or off the mirroring effect for your self-view directly from within a Zoom meeting. Follow these simple steps:
- Join a Meeting: Ensure you are actively participating in a Zoom meeting.
- Locate Video Icon: In the bottom toolbar of your Zoom meeting window, find the Video icon (typically a camera symbol).
- Access Video Settings: Click the up arrow (^) located next to the Video icon.
- Navigate to Settings: From the pop-up menu, select "Video Settings..."
- Toggle Mirror My Video: In the Video Settings window, under the "My Video" section, you will find a checkbox labeled "Mirror My Video".
- Check the box to turn mirroring on (default, you see yourself like a mirror).
- Uncheck the box to turn mirroring off (you see yourself as others see you).
- Close Settings: Close the settings window, and your video self-view will update instantly based on your selection.
When to Adjust Mirroring
Adjusting your mirroring setting can be useful in several scenarios:
- Personal Preference: Some users prefer to see themselves as others do, especially if they find the mirrored view disorienting or unnatural.
- Demonstrating Text or Objects: If you are holding up physical text, a whiteboard, or an object with writing on it, turning off "Mirror My Video" can help you ensure that the text appears correctly oriented to you as you display it, which can be less confusing. Remember, others will always see it correctly regardless of your setting.
- Teaching or Presenting: When guiding participants through actions (e.g., exercise classes, sign language), some instructors prefer to see their own movements un-mirrored to better align with how participants are viewing them.
By following these steps, you can easily control how your own video feed appears to you during any Zoom meeting.
