Could you suggest a program?

[skimble]

I'm looking for a program that will allow me to:
1. create slide shows with pan and scan features
2. embed video clips as a "picture in picture" feature (so while the slide is zooming out, a small mpeg clip can be played in the bottom corner.)
3. write to dvd.
Of course ease of use and low cost would be appreciated. I've seen some programs that look like they might do what I want, but I'd hate to pay $80 only to be disappointed.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank You!

[guns1inger]

Window Movie Maker 2 can do all of this and is free if you are running XP SP2 (You might want to check your Computer Details in your profile - you seem to have your OS and CPU confused).

There are plenty of slideshow programs around, and some will allow you to mix photos and clips, but a don't know of any that do overlays and compositing in a way that would satisfy point 2. That is usually something done by editing or effects programs that a) cost more, and b) don't automate the slideshow side of things.

I use Vegas to do the things you describe, but that is overkill if that is all you really need to do.

[vico1]

My two "Go-To" apps for slideshows are Proshow Gold & MemoriesOnTV.

I think they cover your needs, except maybe PiP.

[Bjs]

Might want to have a go using a combination :

Dvdslideshowgui and wax2 plus vl preset's package ... really works well in combination .

Although you need to check your pc spec's ... http://www.cpuid.org/pcwizard will give plenty of help to update your pc specs details

------------

My line is :

Try freeware first ... only then with commercial product's .

My reason being you dont get caught out in the cold with common issue's .

1: Your current os is nolonger supported by the current stocked product .
2: Pc requirement's may not be up to grade to use such component's .
3: Freeware , while you might use more than one product , dose get around the restrictive nature of commercial product's .

Atleast you have choice's .

If you want a reasonable product that include's many feature's , I would suggest ebay , and lookup ulead videostudio 9 ... mostly se edition's , but it's a cheap ... with alot of nice feature's ... nice tool's for cutting clip's , nstc to pal and back conversion which dosent disappoint , remove and replace audio .

Works under win98 and up .

The drawback's and some work around's involve :

Pgcedit (nav command editing / correction , and more)
Besweet (convert audio to ac3)
Rejig (basic remuxing of various dvd component's ... m2v , ac3 , and subs)
Visualsubsync (create you own sub's ... realignment)
The gimp (menu designs ... png's with alpha for motion ... used in conjunction with avisynth script)
Dvdauthogui (create better menu's and more ... include's basic motion menu script)
Avs dvd player or koolplaya (playback titles before burning ... correct navigational error's in pgcedit)
Imgburn (burn to dvd)
Vobedit (demux vob title's down to included basic stream's)

That cover's it pretty well , there's just so much more available .

[dcsos]

a picture of me doing a slide show followed by PICTURE-IN-PICTURE in VEGAS 5
Works great

[skimble]

I noticed on Ebay there's Platinum, version 6 and version 7. I get the sense that the version 5 referred to that can do the picture in picture, is a professional version.
You guys are GREAT!!
I REALLY appreciate your help.

[dcsos]

Its just older, and the first HD capable one..they keep adding HD enhancement, but for your use even SONY SCREENBLASTER less than $50(?) is fine (SCREENBLASTER =VEGAS 3.0 or 4.0)