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General discussion

Software Comparable to Ulead CD & DVD Pictureshow 4

Apr 16, 2010 4:41AM PDT

For starters, my apologies if my question is quite similar to those asked in the past. I searched the forums for guidance and finally opted to just throw my question out there for some input.

I currently use CD & DVD Pictureshow 4 to make photo slideshows set to music. It was a Ulead product when I bought it. I got it because it was well reviewed, seemed pretty simple and the price was right. I originally got it to do personal photo slideshows and have progressed into doing more complex slideshows for nonprofit groups. I also use it to make public service announcements for TV about animal issues. Not professional quality, of course, but good enough to get by.

I'm shopping around for a comparable product. The Ulead software has been fine for the most part but it does get unstable if you use too many bells and whistles and it runs on Windows XP. Corel has openly said they won't support it any more and won't be upgrading it to use with later versions of Windows.

I've read a number of reviews and keep getting back to Pro Show Gold and two products made by Xtreme. A lot of folks say the Pro Show is hard to learn and the instructions are lacking.

I'm looking for software which will allow me to do the following and it could be that I just need to keep using the Ulead product

import multiple jpeg images
select transition effects between images
set image duration (in seconds) for each image
set transition duration or select no transition at all (so the image does not move)
import multiple audio files
trim each audio file
fade in/out on each audio file
add text to each screen, be it a blank screen or text on top of an image
save the completed slideshow as a movie file
burn the completed slideshow to a DVD

If it would help to see how I've been using the Ulead product, I can come back and provide the address for my web site where I store stuff, keeping in mind that these are amateur projects that I do on my dime and my time and I'm not looking for professional software. Just software with options similar to what I have now.

Thanks in advance to any who can help me.

Discussion is locked

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Odd.
Apr 16, 2010 4:46AM PDT

I thought pro show was not that hard. At least you can download and try the demo.
Bob

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ProShow Rocks
Jul 23, 2010 12:11AM PDT

I should have replied earlier, Bob. Sorry to seem ungrateful.

I was intimidated by Proshow Gold because of the size of the manual. Compared to the Ulead product I had been using, it was like an encyclopedia. I took the plunge, got Proshow, read the manual and I love it. It is much more complex that the Ulead product but does put what I had to shame. I'm not a pro at it by any means but am learning as I go and know that the end product is much more dynamic than I ever had before.

My only issue with Photodex and Proshow Gold is that they keep coming up with more style packs and I just can't help but to order the new stuff!

ProShow Gold is a terric, stable software which I highly recommend. I could not be happier. Thanks, Bob.