Favor

I would like to put together a travelogue DVD video using a mix of still and moving pictures (JPGs, MOVs, and MPEGs). I would like to add some titles, some narration, and maybe some subtitle-like text. Has anyone done this? This is just for my family so it doesn't need to be "hi-def" or "broadcast" quality.

I'm on Windows XP and any recomendations would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Favor

ttt

spiegelcjs

I have used Pinnacle Studio 8 and 9 version for two prior trips and and found it very easy to learn and also use. It is primarily a drag and drop porgram and you can add a musich track using your own music or they supple some. You can make heading slides and various methods of fade in. I have not put verbal overlays on but a friend has and it is great. Look this produt up.

cary999

Hi,
After our safari in Sep 2005 I decided to try making a DVD to play on TV rather than the usual photo album. I got a copy of ProShow Gold and tried it. Web site is - http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold/. I found it very easy to use, very versatile. Basically drag and drop. It allowed me to do exactly what you said, put jpgs and movies as a DVD slide show. Along with music and subtitles on the jpgs, even on the movie mpg/avi. Also to change the color, brightness, etc of all images. Zoom in/out on images, rotate, change transition modes, and many more. Now, I do not know if you can cut/crop movie segments. When I want to do that I use another movie editing program (TMPGEnc). Pinnacle Studio 8 may be able to do this. I know Pinnacle is an excellent program but I have not used it. Pinnacle has 2 or 3 products to do this type of thing with wide price ranges.
Anyway, you really should try it. I found it fun to put it all together, the three of us had 4,000 photos and around 200 short video clips. The completed DVD runs 22 minutes. When friends all over the world ask to see our safari pictures, I send them a DVD. It has been very well received (of course, no friend will tell you that you photos stink!!!)
reagards - tom

eenusa

We use Pinnacle Studio 9 - It does everything cary999 indicated ProShow Gold does, and it does allow you to cut/crop movie segments (not just from the beginning or end, but you can cut from the middle of a segment as well, which can come in very handy). Very easy to use.

Favor

spiegelcjs and cary999 - Thank you for your information.

cary999 - You're right no true friend will "critique" your pictures (unless you ask). I love seeing my friends pictures.

Do some take better pictures than others? - you bet! But, I don't expect professional composition and exposure. I find it satisfying just to share what they saw and glimpse things I haven't seen.

Favor

Thanks eenusa - It seems lots of people think Pinnacle 9 is the way to go (not just Fodorites). Isn't the internet great for getting a broad range of opinions!