Good slide show software?

[PinkBudgie]

Just got back from our first trip to WDW with almost 2000 photos. I'm looking for a slide show program for Windows 8.1. A search of this forum showed the last time this question was asked was about 4 years ago so I'm looking for some updated information. Any suggestions?

 

[photo_chick]

How easy or complicated do you want it? Do you just want to drop the files into the show and have it run with the music, or do you want to time each one individually so that you control exactly when it changes to time it better with the music? Or somewhere in between?

 

[PinkBudgie]

Well, I prefer easy to use, but I want lots of control over details and customization or I know I will quickly get bored with the project. I am someone who will practice and follow tutorials to learn how to do things. I've done that with Photoshop Elements.

 

[boBQuincy]

I keep going back to ProShow Gold for slide shows. It has a lot of features like independent text or moving objects in the frame; many transitions; easy import of short video clips; great sync capability with a sound track...

Here is a short slide show/video done in ProShow (2 minutes but no Disney content):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9T0EsnLLP8

 

[photo_chick]

For more controlled with lot of details (camera movement around images, transitions, etc) I use Premiere and treat it as a video rather than a slide show. It may or may not be what you're looking for. You can get a free trial from Adobe.com.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I keep going back to ProShow Gold for slide shows. It has a lot of features like independent text or moving objects in the frame; many transitions; easy import of short video clips; great sync capability with a sound track...

Here is a short slide show/video done in ProShow (2 minutes but no Disney content):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9T0EsnLLP8

I like how you can put video in to the slide show. I have a few that would be nice to use.

For more controlled with lot of details (camera movement around images, transitions, etc) I use Premiere and treat it as a video rather than a slide show. It may or may not be what you're looking for. You can get a free trial from Adobe.com.

Thank you! Both programs seem to be excellent choices and have free demos. I'll give those a try and see which one works for me. Thanks!

 

[fritodenny]

I like PhotoStage. It does what the other programs do. I think it has the best music editing. You can easily cut a segment out of a mp3 and place it in your slideshow. There is a free, non comercial version too.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I like PhotoStage. It does what the other programs do. I think it has the best music editing. You can easily cut a segment out of a mp3 and place it in your slideshow. There is a free, non comercial version too.

Thank you. I'll check that one too.

 

[jamez2014]

If you have Lightroom already there is a module within this that is very good for this sort of thing otherwise I have used with varying success the supplied 'movie maker' software on windows possibly a Microsoft live tool, well have it on my pc and it's easy to use and get a nice sideshow out of.

For display only purposes ie just plugging laptop into a screen fastone can do a slideshow quickly just select the image you want and then press a shortcut key and your off.

Great thing is if you don't have Lightroom you can download a 30day trial

 

[PinkBudgie]

Well, I ended up buying ProShow Gold after playing with the demo. I made a pretty nice slide show of our trip highlights. I can trim the music to fit. I like having control over the slide and transition effects and there are many to choose from. (It drives me nuts to see a slide show somewhere and all they do for each slide is zoom to the center even when that cuts off someone's head. Rather awkward.) They also have a few freebie extra effects you can download. I've been very happy with it so far.

Thanks everyone for your help!