Community Newsletter: Q&A: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip
- 3/30/07 11:40 AM
Quality slide show
by bosston - 3/24/07 4:10 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
One program I like is Camtasia by Techsmith http://www.techsmith.com/ It might be a little more advanced and pricey. You could create slide show by importing your images and run it as a movie instead of a slide show. The software captures the Windows desktop in realtime but I have seen slide shows created on Youtube.
Sony Vegas + DVD
by ouryy - 3/24/07 5:42 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It all depends on how much you want to spend. I have been using Sony Vegas + DVD Production Suite for a couple of years now. It is professional software that will surpass your expectations. You can use Sony Vegas to overlay unlimited numbers of video and audio tracks, mix photos and video, use multiple FX and fades, and even set up the audio for surround sound. Sony DVD will then allow you to produce a final DVD project complete with menus, just like professionally produced DVD movies. If you want a quick photo slideshow without having to worry about types of fades or using video, Sony DVD will allow you to bypass the Vegas software and just drag & drop photos to your DVD project & then add audio. It will even automatically adjust the slideshow to match the audio length if you so choose.
I have been using the software to produce vacation & birthday DVDs, complete with multiple menus. A music clip rolls with a video background while you to choose either "Play Video", "Play Slideshow" or "Scene Selection". When not mixing video or slideshows, Sony Vegas is an incredible multi-track audio mixer. Currently, I have only used 5 or 6 tracks to mix some of the background music and even produce a few extended remixes of my favorite tunes. Vegas will even render the audio as an MP3 when you aren't using your audio clips for your DVDs or burning them to CD. The software is a little pricey though. Retail will probably run around $750, but I picked up a new copy on E-Bay for less than $400.
Slideshow
by bobijack - 3/24/07 8:21 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If yopu want some great effects for transitions try Pinnacle. Easy to use from assembly to finish.
BobiJ
RE: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip
by elly.s - 3/24/07 8:33 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I recommend Slide Show to Go. Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to mention that I'm the author. Here's a link to my web site: http://www.nightwatchsoftware.com/sstg. And its page on download.com: http://www.download.com/Slide-Show-to-Go/3000-2189_4-10586383.html?tag=lst-0-1 .
Cheers,
Elliott
Digital Photo Slide Show
by Alstair - 3/25/07 1:49 AM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
You might want to try this program which is free to use for 60 days then $19.95 if you like it. Recommeded by Fred Langa of Langalist.
I have it and it is excellent. Other programs for the PC: Roxio 9, Corel Snapfire Plus.
Got to http://www.digitalphotoslideshow.com/ to download trial.
Lets stick to what you've got?
by pchew1954 - 3/25/07 3:43 AM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
In answering your question, you appear to have access to Powerpoint and an OEM version of Nero.
They can both do the job.
How easilly Powerpoint can do this - this will depend on your level of knowledge in working with applications - which as I know so far, (as you havent mentioned "MAC") is a Microsoft product - if this is a program you already have on a PC then the advice is always to try to spend a little time with what's on your current equipment.
Much advice has been thrown about why some other software is great... your need is to first handle what you already posses, arrive at your own opinion/verdict, bearing on some advice from other experienced users, then decide if you can get on with Powerpoint.
Thereafter I can say Powerpoint may be able to do it but only to some level of performance and quality dependent again on your expertise with computers ( Macs or therwise !)
I would suggest that to keep your sanity - to avoid anyone trying to flaunt any special Mac or PC system - as they are just trying to ignore your real question...
do I "try before I buy" ...
and judging from the number of people only interested in their own experiences, they have conveniently forgotten one needs to know how much is your knowledge of computing before you proceed to use other software.
OEM versions of any software are only a tester.
Though the OEM Nero is capable of producing DVDs there will come a time when the limited features of ANY OEM (Macs, or otherwise) software will either frustrate you, or you may well find it adequate
Again I say TRY before you buy ANYTHING else...
Once you have determined if you can get on with reading the help files to guide you and tried your hand at "USING the available tools" (i.e Powerpoint & Nero OEM) - you will be ready for the next stage
- i.e. sift thru those crazy punters,
all boasting about each of their own software preferences/experiences
- and paying LITTLE or NO attention to your needs and "capability".
I have long experience in helping others use new software/hardware & recognise the one thing most people DO NOT DO with their valuable hardware purchase is
- they never fully explore the capabilities of the packages of software that comes with the original kit..
that included me...
I am a changed man since recognising this as a habitual defect of all computer users (MACS or otherwise)
Good luck to your pursuits.
If you are only interested in keeping a beautiful record of your trip - for your own consumption, and not want to try and sell it to anyone else, then the two software tools you mention WILL ACHIEVE this requirement. Of course there are other software - some easier, some better - but for what purpose - is that a degree of greater image quality which your eyes and hears will detect - has anyone considered "your expectations". Perhaps you may need to draw on some comparision on what you have already seen elsewhere - maybe at a friend's home, or an event, and from these two different levels of "quality" expectations, - where does your expectations lie?
That's a question only you can answer, and a discussion with others beyond that will prove to be more practical, and a darn sight less loading on your pocket !
I CAN guarantee that!
Photodex Gold is the Solution HANDS DOWN!
by Rob imhoff - 3/25/07 8:44 AM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had to make a slideshow for my daughter's soccer banquet last fall. Initially, all i wanted was a program that would let me show slides with a soundtrack. I was directed to Nero 7. i bought it and discovered right away that it had a 99 slide limit. (You can run several 99 slide shows back to back, but its just stupid.) I can bash Nero 7 for being bloated, expensive, and basically having the exact same quirky burning process that it had 5 years ago, but I am here to praise the Photodex people. After wasting $100 on Nero 7, I was directed to Photodex. What a company! There are techs there that you can call and they will answer your questions, and solve your problems. They will update your software for FREE for 1 year after your purchase. Here's what Photodex can do:
1. Easily drag slides and/or movies into a slide show of any length.
2. Hundreds of transition effects are available.
3. Hundreds of caption capabilities, and caption effects are available.
4. Motion effects are available..(Think Ken Burns - The Civil War).
5. layers are available.
6. Sound tracks are made easy. Add soundtracks from CDs or your I-Tunes library, or any other way. Record your own voice overs.
7. Burn a DVD playable on your TV or Computer. Or a flash show to your website. Or post to the Photodex website for FREE.
8. Your show can be as simple as you like or as professional as something on Network TV. Its really easy.
Go to www.Photodex.com and see sample slideshows. You really need this program
But do all users need the program?
by miles41 - 3/25/07 12:54 PM In reply to: Photodex Gold is the Solution HANDS DOWN! by Rob imhoffThe issue for me (as with all these programs) is once I create the show and send the CD to friends and family, do they need to purchase Photodex to view the show?
Reply to question about Photodex
by Rob imhoff - 3/26/07 6:00 AM In reply to: But do all users need the program? by miles41No, Recipients of your slide show do not need to buy photodex. However,the receiver's computer does have to allow Photodex to install a small bug-free program called presenter. The recipient has to be able to allow this installation. So if you are trying to do this at work for instance, where your computer is locked by your IT department, you will not be able to view slideshows, unless you get IT to allow installation. For home computers, this is not an issue.
Go to Photodex.com and try the program for free. You will make a simple slide show in five minutes. When you try the motion effects, you will be hooked! The Photodex Company is a model for what all software companies should be!! They are proud of their software, and SHOULD BE! Give it a try its actually FUN!
Installation-Free Photodex Sharing
by sixit - 3/26/07 6:54 AM In reply to: Reply to question about Photodex by Rob imhoffThe installation of Presenter only applies to certain types of slideshow sharing, mainly with the .exe file (which of course only works on Windows). If the show is made into a video CD/DVD or saved as another format such as Flash, Quicktime Movie, MPG2, WMV, etc., then Photodex Presenter is not installed.
However, if you do share a .exe file, the program is automatically installed, and is quite small and harmless. It is also easily removed from the Add/Remove Programs. Most people never notice this automatic installation, and I've never seen any issues reported with it.
Just to be clear, the Presenter software is NOT spyware or malware, it is NOT a trojan. It is merely a very small player that allows for some unique qualities of the slideshow, such as random transitions and random Ken Burns Effects.
So, if you are concerned about accessibility, make sure you save the slideshow as a video/movie rather than as a .exe.
Cheers,
Robert Reese~
Is Torrent safe to download from peer to perr
by mohit10 - 3/25/07 12:02 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Torrent is safe to download gemaes or other application like songs or movies.
Wrong Thread. Bad Advice
by sixit - 3/25/07 12:19 PM In reply to: Is Torrent safe to download from peer to perr by mohit10P2P is dangerous to anyone without sophisticated knowledge of the internet.
Slide Show to Go - a little gem of a shareware program
by snowbdr440 - 3/25/07 2:01 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There's a lot of programs out there that do "slideshows" but they either miss a few features or cost too much. I've put together 10 different slidehows in the last few years and I have to say that a little program called SlideShow to Go is the best one i have ever used. Its a free shareware program to try, and $25 to buy. I like it mainly b/c you can set preferences for a large number of slides, and then the program will build a slideshow around those terms. It also lets you edit individual slides, add music, add titles, and more. One cool feature is that you can add a song to a group of slides and the program will automatically set the timing to the length of the song. The only missing element is a "burn to DVD" feature. However, the program does offer MPEG-2 export, which is what you need to put a slideshow onto DVD anyway, and there are better DVD authoring programs out there, like Nero and Roxio Easy Media Creator.
IMHO, you can't go wrong for $25 bucks. This little program has been the easiest to use by far. I built a slideshow after a year's worth of travel around the world and this little program did much better than several higher end programs I tried. I have shown my slideshows to friends and family and they are amazed. They think I created it on some high-end machine.
http://www.nightwatchsoftware.com/sstg/sstg.htm
PS Windows Movie Maker is pretty bad. I tried that one too, and its unreliable and crashes a lot.
Slide Show making with a Windows based Computer...
by micaman - 3/25/07 4:08 PM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Your Windows based machine comes loaded with goodies to perform this task. And what it did not come with, you can get for free from Microsoft!
I have a page full of goodies for you at http://www.micaspecialties.org/xpxpress.htm which is a page devoted to Microsoft links covering all XP versions. If you go down to Power Toys, you can get some nifty little tools for making a slide show.
The "Resize Photos" tool will let you 'right click & resize' any image on your machine! This is just one of the many tools offered for free. With these tools and the other freeware by programs by Microsoft, you will have all the software that you need. You could also use the OEM Nero to make this slide show look very professional, but you will need a little more time.
For ease of use, Photo Story 3 by Microsoft makes it so ANYONE could design a slide show!
iPhoto-Like Super Sleek Javascript Slideshow
by rloaderro - 3/26/07 8:24 AM In reply to: Need advice to make a quality slide show of my trip by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you're looking to publish your slideshow on a website, or integrate with your CMS (Content Management System), look no further: Slideshow is a Javascript class to stream and animate the presentation of images on your website. Degrading gracefully, accessible and highly animated - without the use of Flash - Slideshow has been written from the ground up for the acclaimed Mootools javascript framework. Extremely configurable, including Ken Burns Effect, Pan, Zoom, Wipe, Push and all the cool Rober Penner Transitions - and it's only 5k!
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