Photodex ProShow?

[sfritzinger]

Surprised I didn't see this mentioned here before, but has anyone else used ProShow (www.photodex.com). Lets you author VCD/SVCD/XVCD's, autorun CD's, and other formats using photo stills (the transitions rock!). Incredibly easy to use and VERY fast!! I've made christmas gifts using this this year. (i'm a geek and so is most of my family, so this is fitting Also does audio soundtracks with the shows.

Anyone else use this yet? what do you think? this is the easiest i've found so far.

[twodogs]

sfritz,
I see what you mean. The interface is pretty good and is intuitive enough for a beginner too.
However, I installed on a dual boot NT4/2000.
1) System Requirements state it will work on NT4 with DirectX6 - since that is not a possible combination it would not install.
2) Then installed on 2000. Installed OK and I chose to "Install ASPI if required" It did not appear to do anything, but now my CDRWIN does not work (missing ASPI !).

Continued anyway, and used the program to build an XSVCD (PAL) bin/cue and burnt with Nero.
I was also impressed with the transition effects as you mentioned.

However, XSVCD would not play in my DVD player (Apex 2100) or my friend's player: Singer SGD001.
Would not even play in WinDVD4, so maybe problem in the creation. WIll sort out the ASPI probs and continue.

More trial and error required.
Anyway, it looks the goods and if I can get it working with my equipment, I can see ProShow getting a decent workout.

[twodogs]

OK, went back to basics. Tried to author an SVCD (PAL).
ASPI sorted inself after reboot - bizarre. Checked with ASPI checker and all OK.
Had a CDRW sitting in my 4x burner and chose to burn rather than create bin/cue. Burning got to 43% and spat out the CD complaining about unticked DMA.
So, created a bin/cue instead and burnt with CDRWIN.

SVCD still not recognised by WinDVD4 !!

Will keep trying this evening.

Anyone else having problems? Success?

[sfritzinger]

I've played all my SVCD's fine with PowerDVD. they also play fine in my old Apex dvd player.

what kind of CDRW do you have? internal or external? what bus?

[twodogs]

Burnt an SVCD and it played extremely well.
Maybe my rebadged APEX does not like XSVCDs.

The quality was excellent, the transitions were smooth, and the audio did not glitch.

This software makes PicturetoTV look very ordinary.

Mmm, makes me wonder, if I was able to get XSVCD resolution to work, would the result be: Picture quality of VCDEasy, with music ? That would be perfect....