slideshow and animation

[panny300]

the last time i did any video editing i was using an amiga 1200 with genlock and video/audio mixers.
i want to put digital photos onto a cd/dvd disc as a slideshow,and mix 2 or 3 soundtracks together.so which programme will allow me to do this.
on the amiga i could use various programmes to put small animations overlayed/genlocked onto the video.again are there any simple programmes on the pc to do this. thanks for any help.

[senu]

For a Slideshow with transitions, motion effects titles
You could do Worse than ProShowGold

I dont have the very latest version but my version 2.6 is somewhat weak in the area of control over Audio.
You may need to mix your Audio in Audacity then use it in your PSG project.

If you want complete control over the Process, Sony Vegas Movie Studio is even more able though it may be OTT and despite its powerful Audio may still prefer that you have an external audio editor.

From experience with personal use though, I have used it to create slideshows where the audio matches perfectly with video.
Otherwise PSG is often all I need
Ive not used it with any ready made animations although it accepts video as well as stills and if the animation is output as a Video it may be posibble
If your needs are modest you may explore something simple as all these programs need a little time to learn them .Sony Vegas certainly does but such time often yields rewards
Otherwise most Video Editing Software will allow you do what you seek with varying degrees of ease
Good Luck

[panny300]

thanks senu,i don't mind the learning curve needed for more sophisticated programs.
i thought about buying a digital camcorder about 6 or 7 years ago and using my pc to edit, and there were a few editing programmes around then.
a mate had premiere which did the editing but had a lot of compatability issues.
seven years on and i am still reading of programmes that don't quite work, or only do part of a job,or cost an arm and a leg.
but i would have thought that by now there would be fairly basic programs that allows you to add 2 or 3 audio tracks to match with video plus transitions.

[senu]

Originally Posted by panny300

thanks senu,i don't mind the learning curve needed for more sophisticated programs.
i thought about buying a digital camcorder about 6 or 7 years ago and using my pc to edit, and there were a few editing programmes around then.
a mate had premiere which did the editing but had a lot of compatability issues.
seven years on and i am still reading of programmes that don't quite work, or only do part of a job,or cost an arm and a leg.
but i would have thought that by now there would be fairly basic programs that allows you to add 2 or 3 audio tracks to match with video plus transitions.

There are: Adobe Premiere just isnt one of them

Adobe Première Elements 3 and the Sony Vegas Movie studio +DVD Platinum are among a host of affordable solutions which work and are learnable
Much of what you read is from people who are either unlucky, Have unreasonable expectations of programs or simply cant be bothered to find solutions when things go pear shaped.
Many also resent the time investment it takes to master some of the packages thinking their money should get them ease of use and features and give up quickly
Certainly some software is badly written too but this is more the exception than the rule

[panny300]

thanks for your time,

[allengn]

I'm reasonable new to this game myself, having just purchased a Panasonic GS300. I have a fairly new hi-spec PC which came with Adobe Premiere Elements 3 which is what I use. From what you said in your post I believe it will do what you want, but there is a fair amount of learning needed. (But I blieve this would be the case with any product). I've not had any performance or reliability issues with it, although as I said earlier I do have a fairly new high spec PC. Version 4 has recently been released, demo versions are available to download from Adobe.

From monitoring this and other forums, Sony Vegas also seems to be very popular, however as I haven't tried it can't comment further.

[senu]

allengn

thanks for that
I suspect you have Adobe Premiere Elements 2 as ver 3 is infact the latest.
It is Photoshop Elements 5 that is the latest in that series.

Sony Vegas ( Movie Studio's) popularity is due to fluidity of use once you get familiar with it. It also has quite good tutorials

Like the Adobe products is also has online user communities which help a newcomer find solutions without searching too far

[allengn]

Originally Posted by senu

allengn

thanks for that
I suspect you have Adobe Premiere Elements 2 as ver 3 is infact the latest.

Yes, you're quite correct. Didn't check before I sent.