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Home: Video University Forums: Mac Video:
What Application is best for photo slideshow?

That "Todd" Guy
Novice

Sep 5, 2006, 2:38 PM

Post #1 of 10 (1741 views)
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What Application is best for photo slideshow?	Can't Post

OK, this might be a very basic & simple question,
but I am relatively new to my mac & my digital editing options,
so I would appreciate any help I can get from you experienced folks out there.

What is the best application to use when adding a photo slideshow to a video project? (DVD-SP,FCP-5,IPHOTO,etc)

I have about 60 photos, and three songs that I wanted to use with this slideshow. I started to load the photos into DVD-SP, and I was looking to add a little motion to the photos. I was looking for that option in DVD-SP and couldn't find it. There seems to be a lot of things that can be done to a photo slideshow using DVD-SP, but adding a Ken Burns effect to the photos is one that I haven't been able to find.

What would be my best way to add a photo slideshow to a DVD? (using more than one song, a Ken Burns effect, and multiple transitions)
Or maybe I should say, what aplication do most people use to add a slideshow to a DVD project?

I know that this is kind of a personal preference sort of thing,
but I'm a newbie here and I was wondering the best route to take?

Thanx

Brian Dorr
Enthusiast

Sep 7, 2006, 5:45 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1710 views)
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Re: [That "Todd" Guy] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Todd Guy,

You may want to check this one out. Good price and can import the file to FCP etc...

Photo To Movie

BD
Save lives full time - film them part time.

AppleHead
User

Sep 8, 2006, 1:07 AM

Post #3 of 10 (1702 views)
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Re: [That "Todd" Guy] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Todd Guy

You'll probably get as many opinions on this as there are programs but I also use Photo to Movie. It is not the easiest program out of the box but I think the output it delivers is the best out there. Great program at a great price.

Mark
-
inFocus Video Productions
because life doesn't stand still
-

Derek
Enthusiast

Sep 8, 2006, 12:31 PM

Post #4 of 10 (1690 views)
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Re: [That "Todd" Guy] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I use FCP and can do the key framing (movement of pics), add filters and transitions, plus do the audio editing. DVDSP for slideshows sucks. I tried to do a few projects thinking it would save time but it turned out taking more time.

Haven't tried the product the others are using.

Derek ~

That "Todd" Guy
Novice

Sep 8, 2006, 2:15 PM

Post #5 of 10 (1689 views)
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Re: [Derek] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanx for all the advise, I kind of agree about DVDSP.
I guess it would be OK if you were just throwing a few photos on your project for a little extra feature, but for anything more complicated..
it sucks!
I plan on checking out the software that was mentioned,
but I think I will
probably do everything in FCP-5.
I'm sure the photo to movie software would make things easier and quicker,
but after thinking about it, why drive around in a small compact car when you have the best sports car available sitting in your computer?

Thanx again for the input,

Brian Dorr
Enthusiast

Sep 12, 2006, 2:43 AM

Post #6 of 10 (1616 views)
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Re: [That "Todd" Guy] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've got the Photo to Movie software, but I've used FCP for all my photo montages except one. Just like having more control...even if it takes a little longer.

BD
Save lives full time - film them part time.

sky writer
Enthusiast

Sep 15, 2006, 4:06 PM

Post #7 of 10 (1572 views)
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Re: [AppleHead] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Hey Todd Guy

I also use Photo to Movie. It is not the easiest program out of the box but I think the output it delivers is the best out there.

Mark

Do you think it is better than FCP's output?

I'm curious. From all the reviews I have read, this is a great program, but more on the amateur side in comparison with FCP controls.

I would love some first hand comparisons or likes and dislikes compared to FCP.

Cheers!

AppleHead
User

Sep 15, 2006, 4:41 PM

Post #8 of 10 (1570 views)
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Re: [sky writer] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey SW

I think the output of photo to movie is super. Much better then any of the other programs I've tried (which have only been a couple). As for comparing it with FCP: both render to native QT file format and retain all of the QT option for output. Personally , I think you'd be hard pressed to see the difference but I'm really NOT a tech. guy, so someone might be able to have some hard data on the matter. I choose P2M after reading a review/comparison of it and several other programs and made my choice based on the rated output quality of P2M as opposed to the other programs.

As for the issue of having "more control" mentioned; personally I think keyframing in FCP is laborious and other than limited transitions and effect choices in P2M, I think keyframing difficult moves is FAR easier and just as flexible, if not more so, in P2M than in FCP. If I need even more flexibility I take it my photos into motion which allows for more After Effects-like moves.

But that is just my opinion and probably my bias as well. I love my FCP but the thought of spending hours in FCP doing what I can do in P2M in minutes - while retaining complete creative control - makes me tired just thinking about it.

Hope that helps.
Mark
-
inFocus Video Productions
because life doesn't stand still
-

sky writer
Enthusiast

Sep 16, 2006, 9:18 PM

Post #9 of 10 (1543 views)
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Re: [AppleHead] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You've talked me into taking it for a test spin. I'll let you know what I think.

Thanks for the feedback.

garycox
User

Sep 28, 2006, 4:44 PM

Post #10 of 10 (1406 views)
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Re: [Brian Dorr] What Application is best for photo slideshow? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have to say I use Photo to Movie on my Mac all the time (they have a PC versio too). I find I can put photo's to motion at twice the speed that I can do it in Final Cut Pro and it looks better in my opinion. I usually create all the photo montages in Photo to Movie and save it to a DV file and import it into Final Cut Pro and add everything else. It's very smooth and keeps good quality on the photos even on a zoom. Very easy to use as well.

For $50 it's a great value.

... Gary