Photo/music DVDs?

[Tiger Lily 03]

I see so many "photo shows" set to music I wonder if someone could tell me how it is done?

I would love to learn to put together a picture and music DVD as a gift and wonder if it is something I can learn. I've got 3 songs I'd like to string together with a run of photos. I've been able to figure out how to do it in PowerPoint, but thought it would be easier if I put it on a DVD so the recipient could pop it in and watch it on the TV.

Can anyone help with advice?


Am I even on the right forum for this question?

[Kelly Grannell]

Ulead DVD Picture Show is the answer you're looking for. They also have a Disney edition (now out of print, but I still can get them in Canada)

[Tiger Lily 03]

I thought I'd say that I got it figured out! I made my first show and am thrilled!

I wish I knew a little more about this, but I'm educated enough about it to be dangerous.

[MOmousefan]

You can also use Windows Movie Maker which comes with XP and you can download Photo Story 3 free from the Microsoft website. Both do a decent job.
An example of a Photostory movie can be seen at:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6533102643202191406

[Tiger Lily 03]

Thank you for sharing that link! It is a fantastic project. I like the effects.

[TwinMom7]

I just did one for my son's highschool graduation. I'm planning to play it during his party on July 1st.

I used the Windows Movie Maker which is with my Windows XP - very easy to use. If you'd like to see an example, click on my BLOG in my signature. The video is my most recent entry.

[Tiger Lily 03]

Patty, that is a great show. You did a fantastic job and it seems like you will be having a memorable moment.

Thanks for sharing. It gives me some good ideas.

[boBQuincy]

Good job! The images can be good, the music can be good, but as you found, put them together and they become a lot more than the sum of the parts.
It's a great way to build a presentation and I see this as the future of scrapbooking.

Here's excerpts from a few of mine:
www.mindspring.com/~image-ination


boB

[Live_From_Little_Red]

Personally I prefer Sony Vegas, I use the professional version but you can get a home user version for around $100 or so. The only difference between the pro and home versions is the number of layers that you can work with.

You can take a look of short version of a Disney slideshow that we made just for the fun of it, www.skmacgowan.com/videoscrapbook.htm

Brian

[boBQuincy]

Personally I prefer Sony Vegas, I use the professional version but you can get a home user version for around $100 or so. The only difference between the pro and home versions is the number of layers that you can work with.

You can take a look of short version of a Disney slideshow that we made just for the fun of it, www.skmacgowan.com/videoscrapbook.htm

Brian

I really like your slideshow and looked into Vegas but the information on their website didn't tell me much. How does it differ from ProShow and what does it do that ProShow can't? Is Vegas more of a video editing program or is it really geared toward slideshows?

I would like to start working with layers in my slideshows. ProShow Producer works with layers but at $400 it will have to do a lot more than just that so I am very interested in trying Vegas.


boB

[Live_From_Little_Red]

I really like your slideshow and looked into Vegas but the information on their website didn't tell me much. How does it differ from ProShow and what does it do that ProShow can't? Is Vegas more of a video editing program or is it really geared toward slideshows?

I would like to start working with layers in my slideshows. ProShow Producer works with layers but at $400 it will have to do a lot more than just that so I am very interested in trying Vegas.


boB
Bob,
Thanks for the compliment. Sony Vegas blows ProShow out of the water. We started with ProSHow and it didn't take very long for us to be dissatisfied with it. Sony Vegas is a professional level video editor. To Vegas there is not much difference between a still image or a frame of video. You can combine still images, video, flash video, DVD contents and more all in the same project. You can pan and zoom into and around an image, apply a multitude of transitions, and use a 3D style camera. You also have access to audio effects and tools, allowing you to also use any VST plugin. The rendering is superb allowing you to produce professional level DVDs. Bundled with Vegas is DVD Architect which allows you to build complex multi-level DVDs. With the professional version you have an unlimited number of video and audio tracks. The Home version limits the number of layers/tracks to just 3 video and 3 audio; otherwise the really is no difference between the two versions - except price of course.

Despite its depth of tools, you can quickly learn to use Vegas. Last year I had no previous experience with video editors, without cracking the manual I picked up on the Vegas workflow within just a couple of hours and had produced within a half day a video that I was not ashamed to show in front of an audience a few days later. I had less than a year of experience with Vegas when I produced our Disney slideshow.

I believe that the trial version of Vegas is fully functional with no water marking. I would highly recommend that you give it a try. If you get stuck, google "Sony Vegas" and you can find some excellent forums on Vegas.

Good luck
Brian

[Tiger Lily 03]

...It's a great way to build a presentation and I see this as the future of scrapbooking. I would agree with this for sure.

My DH just asked me where everyone finds out about all these programs.

I told him the DIS! However, really I guess I should try to ask everyone where they learned of the programs they use?

[tjl1388]

I have both vegas and proshow but I can't figure out how to get to my transitions and change them.

I'm going to research it tonight.

[rtphokie]

Personally I prefer Sony Vegas, I use the professional version but you can get a home user version for around $100 or so. The only difference between the pro and home versions is the number of layers that you can work with.

You can take a look of short version of a Disney slideshow that we made just for the fun of it, www.skmacgowan.com/videoscrapbook.htm

Brian

I use Sony Vegas (I was a Vegas user since Vegas 1.X, still using Vegas 3.0 too cheep to upgrade, maybe the home version will work for me). Vegas works great for video editing for me and has TONS of control.

My problem with Vegas is that it has too much control and I never get the slideshow done. Now I use ProShow Gold by Photodex (http://www.photodex.com/) Results are very professional looking, it has nice features like automatically adjusting timing to match the soundtrack, etc.

There is a trialware version on their website.