What program for making slide shows?

[labdogs42]

I'd like to make a DVD slide show with music and captions from my pictures of my latest Disney trip. I need some hep because I've never made one before! I have PSE, Picasa, and whatever software came with my Dell computer I forget the name of it). Should I use one of these or buy something else? What software have you used and liked? If I could include video clips, too, that would be cool, but maybe that is asking too much. Any ideas?

[DragonSlyr]

If your computer has Windows XP as an operating system, it comes bundled with a program called moviemaker. This is a vary simple program to use and make basic DVDs with photos or videos and music.

If you plan on making a lot of DVD videos there are many stand-alone software programs available. I like Vegas Video or Adobe Premiere but they can be quite pricey.

[boBQuincy]

I usually use ProShow (Gold). Adobe Premiere Elements also works for slide shows but looks like it requires more effort.
Both of these can include video clips in the show, and the latest versions can even save in HD format.

[labdogs42]

I usually use ProShow (Gold). Adobe Premiere Elements also works for slide shows but looks like it requires more effort.
Both of these can include video clips in the show, and the latest versions can even save in HD format.

I think I'll download the trial for ProShow gold -- it looks pretty good! Thanks!

[Dan Murphy]

I've used Photoshop Elements, works well.

[bostran1]

This isn't really going to help you but I have a MacBook and iMovie works great. Its simple to add captions, transitions and the Ken Burns effect is great when used properly. Then its simple to make professional-looking DVDs with iDVD. In fact, iPhoto will make the slideshows for you automatically.

Good luck!

[bostran1]

double post, sorry!

[labdogs42]

This isn't really going to help you but I have a MacBook and iMovie works great. Its simple to add captions, transitions and the Ken Burns effect is great when used properly. Then its simple to make professional-looking DVDs with iDVD. In fact, iPhoto will make the slideshows for you automatically.

Good luck!

What is the Ken Burns effect???

I downloaded ProShow Gold and I really like it. Now I need to decide how to lump my pictures together. By park? By day? By theme (pics with characters, rides...). The possibilities seem sort of endless. ANy ideas?

[bostran1]

The Ken Burns effect is a way of presenting photos in a slideshow so that it pans and zooms in or out over the photo. For example, if you have a nice panoramic picture (let's say of Main St!) you can start at the left hand side and pan the picture over to the right. Or, if you have a nice picture of the family in front of Cinderella's Castle, you could start the zoom so it only shows the family and then zooms out so you can see the entire photo in front of the castle.

Here is a wikipedia entry on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Burns_Effect

And here is an example of it: http://www.moriartydvds.com/ (just watch the demo)

[garris3404]

I downloaded ProShow Gold and I really like it. Now I need to decide how to lump my pictures together. By park? By day? By theme (pics with characters, rides...). The possibilities seem sort of endless. ANy ideas? I would go by parks if you visited them multiple times. You might want to have chapters for just character interaction (1 for each child). You could have favorites (family or per person). You could see how it changes over the years. Whatever you choose, please post some samples.