12 replies to this topic

[dfsm2009]

Need some help from DVD or CD producers. Sorry remedial I know - but crunch time arrived yesterday.
I am creating a slideshow with music for my parents 50th Anniversary in two weeks. I have over 200 photos dating back as long as 60 years or more. I have chosen four songs to play while showing the photos. I want to synchronize an era of photos with each song. I have started with Creator 9 and now added the upgrade to creator 2010 as I wasn't having much luck with Creator 9. I am learning as I go.
Seems pretty simple - I want the first 40 photos to sync with song 1, next 41 with song 2, next 60 with songs 3 and last 63 photos with song 4. Can I do this? How do you suggest I do this?
Can I add a video intro before each song and set of photos? Do I burn a CD or DVD. Which allows the most versatility in playback compatibility.
I have the songs and photos all organized but can't seem to get the software to cooperate with my stupidity.
Please help.
Cheers;
dfsm2009

Note: After posting I found the workflow article below - it is very thorough and articulate; thanks, I think I can make it happen. Only concern I have still is the syncronizing of music to each slideshow. If I understand correctly - I will have four slideshows to four songs with video in between each slideshow. Am I correct? Any tricks to watch out for?
Thanks for the help.

Edited by dfsm2009, 22 September 2009 - 11:57 AM.

[malatekid]

One way to do this:

You can try to create a Videowave production for each era (the photos and the song) without the intro video. On the Videowave menu bar, choose Production and then the submenu Fit Video & Audio. This will adjust the duration of the images to fit the length of the audio. Thing to watch here though is if you will be satisfied with the adjusted duration of each image. If you're not satisfied, you can set your own duration and just loop the audio. Afterwards, output the production to an mpg file.

Do the above for each era. Now that you have 4 mpg files, start a new Videowave production. Add those 4 mpg files. Then insert the corresponding intro video before each mpg. Add transitions/effects as you deem necessary. Save this final production.

I like DVD because of the quality it has over video on a CD. To create DVD, follow the workflow you were reading.

If you like CD and your goal is to watch it on computer, you can output the final Videowave production as a wmv file and burn that file onto a CD. Windows system should be able to recognize and play that.

Edited by malatekid, 22 September 2009 - 12:18 PM.

[myguggi]

Need some help from DVD or CD producers. Sorry remedial I know - but crunch time arrived yesterday.
I am creating a slideshow with music for my parents 50th Anniversary in two weeks. I have over 200 photos dating back as long as 60 years or more. I have chosen four songs to play while showing the photos. I want to synchronize an era of photos with each song. I have started with Creator 9 and now added the upgrade to creator 2010 as I wasn't having much luck with Creator 9. I am learning as I go.
Seems pretty simple - I want the first 40 photos to sync with song 1, next 41 with song 2, next 60 with songs 3 and last 63 photos with song 4. Can I do this? How do you suggest I do this?
Can I add a video intro before each song and set of photos? Do I burn a CD or DVD. Which allows the most versatility in playback compatibility.
I have the songs and photos all organized but can't seem to get the software to cooperate with my stupidity.
Please help.
Cheers;
dfsm2009

Note: After posting I found the workflow article below - it is very thorough and articulate; thanks, I think I can make it happen. Only concern I have still is the syncronizing of music to each slideshow. If I understand correctly - I will have four slideshows to four songs with video in between each slideshow. Am I correct? Any tricks to watch out for?
Thanks for the help.

Each of the four slideshows are actually videos. You create the "intro videos" exactly the same way as the slideshows, in fact your intros are actually slideshows.

Do you want the slideshows to play in sequence, ie. without returning to a menu after playing each slideshow? Do you want a menu at all where you could possible select which era to play? Depending on what your final product should look like will determine what you do before. It's a good idea to make sure you know exactly what you want before junping into a project with bot feet. Creating a simple project with only a few photos initially and burning to a RW DVD is a good idea.

[dfsm2009]

One way to do this:

You can try to create a Videowave production for each era (the photos and the song) without the intro video. On the Videowave menu bar, choose Production and then the submenu Fit Video & Audio. This will adjust the duration of the images to fit the length of the audio. Thing to watch here though is if you will be satisfied with the adjusted duration of each image. If you're not satisfied, you can set your own duration and just loop the audio. Afterwards, output the production to an mpg file.

Do the above for each era. Now that you have 4 mpg files, start a new Videowave production. Add those 4 mpg files. Then insert the corresponding intro video before each mpg. Add transitions/effects as you deem necessary. Save this final production.

I like DVD because of the quality it has over video on a CD. To create DVD, follow the workflow you were reading.

If you like CD and your goal is to watch it on computer, you can output the final Videowave production as a wmv file and burn that file onto a CD. Windows system should be able to recognize and play that.

Thanks - helpful information again. Getting the sense more and mor ehow this works. I will use DVD. My plan is to use my laptop DVD player through a projector onto a screen. Any particular DVD type or file you best suggest for this? Will a DVD player through a tv create a better image?

Each of the four slideshows are actually videos. You create the "intro videos" exactly the same way as the slideshows, in fact your intros are actually slideshows.

Do you want the slideshows to play in sequence, ie. without returning to a menu after playing each slideshow? Do you want a menu at all where you could possible select which era to play? Depending on what your final product should look like will determine what you do before. It's a good idea to make sure you know exactly what you want before junping into a project with bot feet. Creating a simple project with only a few photos initially and burning to a RW DVD is a good idea.

yes I want the slideshows to play in sequence. I think a menu is not necessary for this use. Perhaps for a second version of at home use I'll add menus. I know what I want and have it well planned out in my mind and also each song currently matches the duration of era photos I have chosen. I don't think much editing will be required - just a bit of tweaking. I've got time to burn and learn between now and next Wednesday; your help is easing the concern I had over a lack of success.
Thanks.

[sknis]

Make sure that you try out the projector/Computer before you need it.  Not all projectors will take the laptop's output.  It happened to me unfortunately I found that out just before I needed it; fortunately someone else had a projector that would work.

[dfsm2009]

Make sure that you try out the projector/Computer before you need it.  Not all projectors will take the laptop's output.  It happened to me unfortunately I found that out just before I needed it; fortunately someone else had a projector that would work.

Will have prjector in hand on this Thursday and will be ensuring that is all compatible well in advance. Thanks for the heads up though- a good heads - up at that.

[myguggi]

Will have prjector in hand on this Thursday and will be ensuring that is all compatible well in advance. Thanks for the heads up though- a good heads - up at that.

You made not even need to create a DVD if you are going to use a projector. You should be able to just create a video file and "output" that to the projector.

Edited by myguggi, 22 September 2009 - 03:29 PM.

[grandpabruce]

dfsm2009, all good advice here, but you will definitely want to live beyond the moment of of joy, using the projector for the gathering of family, for the wonderful occasion.

You will want to burn DVDs too, for your parents, and the rest of your family.

Good luck to you, and enjoy the celebration.

[dfsm2009]

You made not even need to create a DVD if you are going to use a projector. You should be able to just create a video file and "output" that to the projector.

I need to run the DVD off of my laptop; I have to create the actual video file on my desktop and burn the DVD from there. My laptop won't handle Creator 2010 because of an outdated video card which apparently can't be upgraded. Plus as grandpaBruce suggests I want to leave the DVD for parents.

Question: when does the Slideshow/Movie/video file all become one happy cooperating production - when I burn the DVD? If I understand up until that point they are all individual pieces or segments - am I getting that straight?
Similar to layers in Photoshop - until the new piece of art is saved as a whole piece it is a collection of individual layers.

[sknis]

Follow Jim's Work Flow Strategy and all with be OK.  Since you have the slide show, start about midway down.

I hate to bring this up again but.... Two suggestions, copy the video file from wherever you have it now to the laptop and play it from there and/or borrow a better laptop.  I did what you are trying to do for my son's wedding and found that my laptop (marginal) could not keep up with playing the DVD and driving the output to the projector that worked.  Luckily I had the video file on that computer and that worked.  Since this is such a special occasion,  you should not take chances.  

See if you can rent a projector that will play DVDs.  Something like this.  They are expensive so see if you can rent one.  Is the party going to be at a gathering hall?  See what they have/can supply.

[dfsm2009]

Follow Jim's Work Flow Strategy and all with be OK.  Since you have the slide show, start about midway down.

I hate to bring this up again but.... Two suggestions, copy the video file from wherever you have it now to the laptop and play it from there and/or borrow a better laptop.  I did what you are trying to do for my son's wedding and found that my laptop (marginal) could not keep up with playing the DVD and driving the output to the projector that worked.  Luckily I had the video file on that computer and that worked.  Since this is such a special occasion,  you should not take chances.  

See if you can rent a projector that will play DVDs.  Something like this.  They are expensive so see if you can rent one.  Is the party going to be at a gathering hall?  See what they have/can supply.

I am test running the laptop and projector's compatability in a few hours.
Question - let me see if I got this right - If I save the video file on my laptop's hard drive - I will be able to play the videofile off my laptop's hard drive? I do not need Creator 2010 to support the video file after it is completed and has been burned to a DVD or saved to a hard drive. Did I understand this correctly?
Thanks - awesome help from you all.
By the way I just learned my desktop is cooked and will not be able to support running 2010 and now I am off shopping for a new desk top. Nothing is easy they say - at least I have a week to still get this done - even though I thought I would be done last week.

You made not even need to create a DVD if you are going to use a projector. You should be able to just create a video file and "output" that to the projector.

just noticed you are in Deep River - although I actually live in Atlanta - I'll be travelling to Oshawa, Ont to deliver this hopefully completed project.

[Willard M]

I have also had some problems outputting the slideshow from a laptop to the projector. I have solved this problem by buying a DVD player and connecting directly to the projector. DVD players can be had for about $50. I no longer use a laptop or a computer to show my movies.

[sknis]

Great idea, why didn't I think of that !