patrickab
asked on
Software to create a Slideshow in a DVD format
OS: WinXp
Cpu: 1.6GHz
RAM: 3Gb
DVD drive: Lightscribe enabled Optiarc DVD RW
I want to create a slide show on a DVD to give to friends and family. The Optiarc DVD drive I have installed came with Nero but I have found that incredibly hard to use. I have only ever managed to create a DVD slide show once with it and have never managed to do it again.
So my question: Is there some easy-to-use free software available to create a DVD slide show?
If as a potential answerer you think this question should be posted in another zone, do please let me know.
Patrick
Cpu: 1.6GHz
RAM: 3Gb
DVD drive: Lightscribe enabled Optiarc DVD RW
I want to create a slide show on a DVD to give to friends and family. The Optiarc DVD drive I have installed came with Nero but I have found that incredibly hard to use. I have only ever managed to create a DVD slide show once with it and have never managed to do it again.
So my question: Is there some easy-to-use free software available to create a DVD slide show?
If as a potential answerer you think this question should be posted in another zone, do please let me know.
Patrick
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
ctpmn1,
I have completely failed in getting both PhotoStory and CDBurnerXP to produce anything playable on an ordinary DVD player linked to a TV.
Patrick
I have completely failed in getting both PhotoStory and CDBurnerXP to produce anything playable on an ordinary DVD player linked to a TV.
Patrick
ASKER
ctpmn1,
I have now tried 4 times to produce something that can be watched on the DVDplayer/TV but without success. All very frustrating. Have you any fursth thoughts or recommendations on the subject - including software that I would have to buy.
I have tried ProShow Gold and have managed to produce a watchable DVD - in fact it's really quite good quality. It's a bit pricey at $69.95. I'm not ruling it out but if you have views on other software that I should consider I'd be interested.
There's a summary of some of them at:
http://photo-slideshow-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Patrick
I have now tried 4 times to produce something that can be watched on the DVDplayer/TV but without success. All very frustrating. Have you any fursth thoughts or recommendations on the subject - including software that I would have to buy.
I have tried ProShow Gold and have managed to produce a watchable DVD - in fact it's really quite good quality. It's a bit pricey at $69.95. I'm not ruling it out but if you have views on other software that I should consider I'd be interested.
There's a summary of some of them at:
http://photo-slideshow-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
Patrick
ASKER
ctpmn1,
I have also just tried 'Wondershare DVD slideshow maker' - $69.95. It's faster than ProShow Gold, seems to produce much the same quality of result and has the benefit of having a menu system so allowing one to break up the show into manageable chunks. That may not sound much of a deal but as I've got about 1200 photos from one holiday it does make it easier for the viewers.
Patrick
I have also just tried 'Wondershare DVD slideshow maker' - $69.95. It's faster than ProShow Gold, seems to produce much the same quality of result and has the benefit of having a menu system so allowing one to break up the show into manageable chunks. That may not sound much of a deal but as I've got about 1200 photos from one holiday it does make it easier for the viewers.
Patrick
ASKER
ctpmn1,
Thanks for your contribution on free software. You pointed me in the right direction at least to get me started. In the event I believe I am going to have to spend something to get it all in one package.
Patrick
Thanks for your contribution on free software. You pointed me in the right direction at least to get me started. In the event I believe I am going to have to spend something to get it all in one package.
Patrick
ASKER
ctpmn1,
Just for the record...
I asked for assistance from Photodex about the menu system for ProShow Gold and was given some excellent help. ProShow Gold in fact has a better menu system than 'Wondershare DVD slideshow maker'. It allows the selection of a specific photo for a 'chapter' and it also allows better captions for each 'chapter'.
I also downloaded (300Mb+) of Xtreme Photo Story Deluxe and found it to be OK for assembling 'chapters' of a slide show, but it had a very poor menu system that I found a nightmare to make use of. Apart from that for some arcane commercial reason the downloaded trial did not allow the production of a test DVDisk. Not even with a banner across the pictures - like everyone else. Thus making the whole trial a total waste of time - and I was certainly not going to buy it without properly trying it.
The outcome is that I have bought ProShow Gold.
Patrick
Just for the record...
I asked for assistance from Photodex about the menu system for ProShow Gold and was given some excellent help. ProShow Gold in fact has a better menu system than 'Wondershare DVD slideshow maker'. It allows the selection of a specific photo for a 'chapter' and it also allows better captions for each 'chapter'.
I also downloaded (300Mb+) of Xtreme Photo Story Deluxe and found it to be OK for assembling 'chapters' of a slide show, but it had a very poor menu system that I found a nightmare to make use of. Apart from that for some arcane commercial reason the downloaded trial did not allow the production of a test DVDisk. Not even with a banner across the pictures - like everyone else. Thus making the whole trial a total waste of time - and I was certainly not going to buy it without properly trying it.
The outcome is that I have bought ProShow Gold.
Patrick
ASKER
Thank you for those links. I have downloaded the last two and will now experiment with them. I'll be back once I've had some time with them.
Patrick