[andloumeg]

Can someone please help me out, as I'm contemplating attacking my PC with a hammer!.....
I am trying to create a DVD with a slideshow of Photos with background music. I have used various programs to try and do this, and have finally managed to create an AVI file with pictures and music of acceptable quality using Slideshow Movie Maker 3.7 (encoded as MPEG-4).
However, whenever I try and create a DVD with Pinnacle or something similar, the file either corrupts (artefacting etc.), or it drops the picture quality to unacceptable levels (even though though there is plenty of room on the disc).
Does someone have any pointers or advice, before I raid my toolbox??

[Pebble]

Try Microsoft photostory 3 - it's free!!
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en


Pebble

[Johndm]

Originally Posted by andloumeg

Can someone please help me out, as I'm contemplating attacking my PC with a hammer!.....
I am trying to create a DVD with a slideshow of Photos with background music. I have used various programs to try and do this, and have finally managed to create an AVI file with pictures and music of acceptable quality using Slideshow Movie Maker 3.7 (encoded as MPEG-4).
However, whenever I try and create a DVD with Pinnacle or something similar, the file either corrupts (artefacting etc.), or it drops the picture quality to unacceptable levels (even though though there is plenty of room on the disc).
Does someone have any pointers or advice, before I raid my toolbox??

I've had good results with PowerProducer 2.

It uses your jpeg files and Mp3 music.

Proshow gold. Easy peasy, even I can do it.

Originally Posted by Gjn200

Proshow gold. Easy peasy, even I can do it.

I agree - Proshow Gold 2 is fantastic.
See here:-
www.photodex.com

[JohnG]

I use ProShow Gold as well, you can zoom in to photos and move then around whilst displaying them and it's easy to use.
Has anyone tried the new 2.5 version yet ? Is it worth upgrading to ?

[dejongj]

I second MS Photostory 3, also make its a bit more interesting to watch then just a slide show...And sounds like the same features as ProShow, but gratis...
Also Adobe Photoshop Elements 3, besides being a must have for every non-Apple owner (otherwise iPhoto is free...) for organisation of your photo's...It can also do very nice slideshows....

BTW Please note that if you make a DVD with MPEG-4 encoding you can't play it back in every consumer DVD player...Not sure whether that is what you wanted to do, but that may be where your problem is as well....

[Shady]

Pebble, Many thanks for the link to MS PhotoStory.

I had not heard of this before and spent the weekend (upto 5.00am on Sunday morning ), compiling a photo story of our wedding last year.

Burnt it to SVCD and took it round my parents yesterday - they loved it.

So, definetely a vote here for PhotoStory 3 - brilliant peice of software, and costs nowt...

Am I missing something or do you need to purchase a plugin for Photostory 3 to allow you to burn the story to DVD (mpeg2)?
Sonic do one for £13.

[dejongj]

@pinaturbo: Oops you could be correct...The reason I might have missed that bit is because I already have the mainconcept MPEG2 encoder plus DD5.1 encoders installed as part of my Sony Vegas+DVD editing suite...The workflow I use is Photostory or Adobe Elements for the slide show of still images, output in uncompressed AVI 768x576 and then import in DVD Architect for put the menu's and artwork on it....

There are lots of freeware tools available as well. Take a look on http://www.videohelp.com under the tools section...

Have fun...

[andloumeg]

Thanks for this guys, I will have a mooch around.
Incidentally, PhotoStory seems nice and easy to use, but I am still having trouble Authoring and Burning a DVD with it.
My player will play M-Peg 4, and all formats (incl. DivX), but Istill seem to be having trouble.
I want something that my wife can shove in the player, and see pictures of our hols (at the same time as making me look like a star for producing such a great slide show!)

[Pebble]

Came across this site yesterday - don't know if it's any good.
http://www.mysharedphotos.com/

Let's you upload up to 500 photo's (5000 for $40) to your personal webpage, where you can edit + share with others + create a DVD with a photo album slideshow on it.
And it's free.

might give it a go later myself

pebble