Slideshow Software Opinion?

[avguser]

Hi, I hope someone can offer their opinion to help me decide what I may purchase. I am an enthusiast which means that I am not a beginner and not an professional. I am looking to buy Slideshow specific software. I am a Pinnacle Studio Userr today and 95% of what I create are still images slideshows. But, I was recently turned on to investigate SlideShow specific products. I am considering ProShow Producer or Proshow Gold versus Xtreme Photostory CD and DVD deluxe. The prices are $250, $70 and $90 respectively. There was a review of PS Gold to Photostory Deluxe on a web site (http://photo-slideshow-software-review.toptenreviews.com/) and PS Deluxe received top billing. The Feature/Price comparison of PS Deluxe versus PS Gold seems to make PS Deluxe a clear winner. But, another voice in my head was whispering about PS Producer. I haven’t found any comparisons on the Internet. I watched a YouTube Demo of PS Producer and it looked very impressive. But, it’s nearly three times as costly as PHotostory Deluxe and my basic feature comparison seemd to say they were the same level of product. The ProShow appears to have better user forums and manuals which is always nice.

So, my question is, can you comment of a comparison of using Photostory Deluxe versus ProShow Producer?

[freebird73717]

Why buy?

Download and use dvdslideshowgui for free. If you like it then you can send a donation to it's developer (which I recommend you do when using open any free or open source software).

[Nelson37]

Describe EXACTLY what features you are willing to pay $250.00 for. Saying "it looks good" is insufficient. Specific features.

Then look for which of these the free program mentioned above is unable to do. It will be a short list.

Then, look for slideshow programs that allow motion along a user-defined path. That's a REAL short list.

After that, try finding one where you can actually converse with the developer to find out how to solve a particular problem, or even add a useful feature.

The only drawback would be that is not what I would call "easy" to use, but then nothing really powerful ever is. If you want more control, then yoiu have to make more choices. Did I mention you can create your own, custom transitions?

[scorpio1959]

i use proshow producer, and with the special effects u can buy , some amazing slideshows can be created.proshow gold is also good if u dont want to pay the extra. you could also buy proshow gold then as a registered user purchase producer at the upgrade price. i am a wedding photographer, so proshow producer suits my needs.

[avguser]

Re: what features I want exactly? I don't know and I won't know. I didn't know that I wanted heated seats in my car until I bought a car that provided them. A pretty useful feature in the wintertime. So, I don't yet know that I might want a 3-D transition sequence that rolls in from the upper right corner as raindrops falling from the sky until I see it.

What I do know is that I don't have the time to compare a $250 package versus the $90 package. On the surface the two of these appear to be highly overlapping and similar. So, I was posing a question for advice from someone who might have used both and could offer a hands-on review/comment as to their similarities and differences.

The freeware doesn't interest me.

[freebird73717]

Sorry the freeware doesn't interest you. I won't be of much help then. The dvdslideshowgui does exactly what I need it to. Hope someone can help you out.

Have you checked to see if the software you are looking at buying has trial periods. Lots of payware like that offer fully functional trials so you can try them before you buy them to decide if they have all the features you need or not. Just a thought. Good luck!

[avguser]

THank you. There is a 15 day trial for both products I am considering, but I'm not sure I can exercise each enough to make a difference. Appreciate the pointer to the freeware. I still may give that try. I have convinced myself that I'm not going to splurge yet for the $250 version. I am considering it's llittle brother, though

[tin2tin]

A DVD slideshow GUI tutorial for the basic things(however it can do much more advanced stuff):

Since this tutorial was made an audio editor was added to the lower part of the interface, which will allow you to ex. change the order of music.

DVD slideshow GUI is freeware.

[Nelson37]

I have not tried and would not consider a $250.00 slideshow program. I have tried others selling for up to $150.00. a half-dozen or so. Comparing these to DVD slideshow GUI was an absolute laugh riot, like comparing a skateboard to a Cadillac.

If an unlimited free trial with unlimited free usage of a far more powerful program doesn't interest you, then by all means spend the money. Most folks who buy overpriced hardware or software usually profess to be happy with it. Otherwise, they have to admit they made a bad decision.

As I said, I haven't tried the $250.00 program so I cannot offer a comparison. However, I will absolutely guarantee you that you will not find anything under $100.00 that will come even close to what the freeware can do.

[byteguy]

I have had Proshow Gold for a bunch of years. Has MORE than enough options for me and the quality of the output video is outstanding.

My only real complaint is the upgrade fees. You only get free upgrades for a short time (about a year, if I remember)

Otherwise, it's a great program. I decided to avoid Producer because you don't REALLY need 4,000 transitions and special effects. Unless they are 100% artistically called for... they make the show look silly and cheap.

[avguser]

Thanks for that insight and reco re: PSP vs PSG. About 5 transitions is all I typically use, if that many. I usually use a fade or a dissolve. But, I did see in their marketing material the "picture-in-picture" type overlay on tot a background that openend the door for a few more tranitions. BUt 2000...don;t think i'd ever look at them all.