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HOLIDAY SHOPPING Q&A: Get the answers to your gift-buying questions
Holiday Shopping Q&A: Get the answers to your gift-buying questions
Burn slides to DVD
(November 5, 2004)
Q My dad has taken family slides for more than 40 years. Is it possible and practical to take those slides, scan them, then burn them onto a DVD and set to music? I have an Epson 2450, which came with a slide holder. I need a DVD burner and software that may or may not come with the burner, correct?
Submitted by: Susan Boyd, CNET e-mail
Felisa Yang
Felisa Yang
Associate editor,
CNET Reviews
It is indeed possible for you to scan and assemble your dad's slides onto DVDs, but be forewarned: as our digital photo expert Lori Grunin says, it's a long process. I'm sure your dad will appreciate the effort! What a great idea for a holiday gift.

Scan the slides
Although the Epson 2450 that you have should work just fine, you might also want to consider a dedicated slide scanner, due to the sheer quantity of slides you have.

Get a DVD burner
Once the slides are scanned, you'll need a DVD burner and authoring software to assemble them on a disc. The Pioneer DVR-A07U is a good yet affordable choice for a burner.

Burning software
As for the software, we like Roxio's Easy Media Creator 7.0, which will walk you through the steps to create a slide show with accompanying music.

Sliding and burning on a Mac
If you're working on a Mac, look into the Apple iLife software suite, which includes iMovie to create your slide show.



MORE RESOURCES
Editors' top scanners
Burner buying guide
Editors' top DVD burners
Computer help forum

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