does anyone know of a good app to make cd/dvd slide shows

im looking for a program that will let me take my digital photos and play them back on my dvd player i would like somthing that has some cool effects and stuff

Windows Movie maker is "free" (IE it comes with windows) and works pretty nicely.

It has a large library of transitions and effects and you can easily add some music.

I'm suprised at how well the videos come out. I have never tried to make a DVD with the program but i'm sure it can be done. I would hope so at least.

If you do go that route make sure to go to windowsupdate.com and get the latest version of it. V2.0 i think.

DVD X Show

ProShow (Gold) from Photodex should have what you are looking for.
An example of what it can do is at:
http://www.mindspring.​com/~bobquincy/index.h​tml

The first show (Disney/MGM Studios) uses more of the good effects, the other is just straightforward fade transitions.


boB

I use Imaginate 2.0 from Canopus. http://www.canopus.us …ginate2/pm_imag​inate2.asp

It's not an all in one solution though. You have to have a mpeg compressor and a DVD authoring program. I've never liked those all in one solutions myself, if quality is your bag, then Imaginate is it. I have a few examples on my web page. Here is one just using Imaginate 1 and then encoding it with TMPGEnc and then using what ever authoring program to put it on a DVD. (these samples are between 10-20MB)
http://www.toddburke.n​et …video/2003_Iz_P​hoto_4.wmv

Here is one I just made this weekend messing around with the newer Imaginate 2 (the B&W and old movie effect where NOT done in Imaginate but in Edius).
http://www.toddburke.n​et/video/fun/lego_capt​ure.wmv

Here is the list of separate programs I use after using Imaginate to create the photo montage.

Encode to MPEG [Canopus Procoder Express]: http://www.canopus.us …s/pm_procoder_e​xpress.asp I used to use TMPGEnc and still think it's one of the best encoders. I just always hated the quality of the encoders in the all in one packages....and they always try to re-encode your perfectly good MPEG files. These are slower, but way better quality output....not a little bit better...allot better.

DVD Authoring [MediaChance DVD-Lab Pro]:
http://www.mediachance​.com/dvdlab/historypro​.html
Finally, I real DVD authoring program that lets you do everything in the DVD spec and at fraction of the price as others. It's still in beta but I've created hundreds of great DVDs with it. I think it also has a way to generate a slide show but it's pretty basic. There is a normal version at $100 and the pro version that will be $200. For what it can do, it's really cheep. It will NOT encode your media files (which is the best part I think, if you've done video work before you know how frustrating that is).

Just thought I'd give you that choice as well to the simpler ones. This is like shooting RAW instead of JPEG, harder, but worth it.

Buy a Mac. They come with idvd and imovie. They both make the task very easy and have some really cool effects. Just a thought if you are looking to buy a new computer too! Or find a buddy with a Mac

Mike

I second ProShow (Gold) it's great you will love it and have so much fun putting movies together for you family to watch. I have made one of just about every one in my family. One of my son from when he was a tiny baby to now. And it's something he can enjoy when he gets older to sit and watch with his family.

Try it I think you will like it. I did the free trail thing and after just one day I ordered it. And have been putting videos together every sense...I love it. so go give it a try. let us know what you think.

Best Regards Gail,

My vote goes for the Roxio 6 or 7. Insert stills and videos, loads of good transitions and built-in themes. Easy, user-friendly interface.

Barry

I use a program from "Sonic" that came with my Sony DVD burner. It makes great slide shows, and you can put music too them. What I really like is that I can make either DVD's or Video Cd's (VCD) with it.