Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

Hi, I can not figure out how to get my Photo Slideshow to burn onto a DVD. I have read many comments on different software, have asked people for recommendations and just seem to be missing something. I am not good at figuring this stuff out by myself. I am only computer literate to the extent necessary to do what I need to do. Branching out is not easy for me. I thought I was doing quite well considering but I have hit a roadblock I can not overcome.

I started with buying my digital camera, taking lots of pictures, uploading to my computer, bought Photoshop Elements to edit and then found that it could also make a slideshow. It looks great on my computer and that is as far as it goes. I have since figured out that it will only burn to a CD in VCD format which looks awful by comparison so off I went in another direction. Of course that was not before someone said, you need to burn it to a DVD so I also now have a DVD Burner that came with some version of Nero that also does not seem to want to burn to DVD's. I am not getting Photoshop Premier for this project which was also suggested.

I went back to the camera shop and they suggested Roxio 10. More googling later I am wondering if that means Roxio Creator 10 which seems way more than I will ever be able to do. Not to mention I have no clue how to figure out if I meet all of the system requirements. Right now I am already running slower than humanly possible due to all of the stuff I have downloaded and the huge amount of pictures I have waiting or something to do with them. I am sure I will be heading for disaster soon.

I have created the slideshow in Photoshop, Movie Maker and Nero. My problem is not with being able to create the slideshow. My problem is with how to get the slideshow to burn on a DVD, not a CD. Are there simple instructions somewhere on how to do this? It seems like I have read so much and still can not figure this out. If you can also lead me in the right direction on how to hire someone to help me with this or where to take a class that would be great too. It does not seem like it should be this difficult. I know if someone tells me you need this, this and that and here is how to make it all work together ... I will be fine. I just can not get to that point myself and honestly I am so frustrated now I don't know what to do. I have invested hours upon hours into this project since March. Pretty bad, Huh! If anyone has any thoughts on this, I would really appreciate the feedback.

I suppose you should know I am using a PC with Windows XP. I found something that said 1.5 Ghz and 704 MB Ram. Thank you for bearing with me to the end.

Reply 1 : Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

You will need to render your slide show to a movie file such as a QuickTime Movie encoded with H.264.

Then try using DVD Styler (free) which will take any video file as input and burn a DVD-Video.

http://www.dvdstyler.de/

You can also read my article on burning DVD slide shows. It's oriented around my software, Photo to Movie, but all of the principles are the same for any software:

http://www.lqgraphics.com/software/article_publishing.php

Reply 2 : Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

I am at an intersection and do not know which way to turn. I am wishing and hoping that you can give me some advice. I own PI 8.5. Have had it for a number of years and am completely satisfied with the software. Went to Europe in May and wanted to put photos on a TV DVD. Could not burn the DVD for TV but could burn a CD for PC and computer screensaver. So had numerous chats and talks with tech support and finally realized that I needed to purchase an unlock code. This unlock code is not mentioned in the manual, do not have the original box. So I ordered this code and it did not work. More talking and was told that I needed to purchase the new PI 13 so I went to the local retailer and read all information on box and pages on outside of box and no mention of a code. Prior to purchase, I called customer no service today and was told that I would need to purchase an unlock code for this software also. I told them that this is not mentioned on the box or manual, only raves about the quality of the TV DVD's. Asked them to refund my money for unlock code purchased for 8.5, said I would receive confirmation email but have not received it yet. Do you know anything about these unlock codes? Do you have a suggestion for a program that will burn TV DVD's without charging you a hidden extra fee to be able to do this process? I really want to get these DVD's finished as our friends that travel with us is not in good health. Please help me.
Thanks in advance. Jen

Reply 3 : Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

I have been making dvd slide shows for some years now,
with terrific results, the program I use is Pinnacle Studio 7, this enables you to download your photo's to a file then import them into the program, you can then add Transitions, music. voice over,and much more.
You add all this to an album within the program on screen, when your ready you go to Make Disc, put in a dvd blank. press go and the jobs done for you.

Reply 4 : Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

This sounds easy but do I need anything other than this program on my computer?

Is this a free download or a purchase?

Reply 5 : Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

this is not a free program, visit pinnaclesystems.com they offer a free 14 day trial.
incidentally I made a mistake on the version I use its the Studio ultimate version 11.
Buying the program (software) will cost new appro ?60, but its well worth the money.
Aslong as your computer meets the requirements and you have a dvd read/rom/write drive all you need is the software. Another way would be to check out Ebay for different versions current version is 14, but would imagine you could get my version much cheaper.
I have used my version on windows xp, vista, and currently on windows 7 with no problems.Another software program I have used is Magix Photos on CD and DVD also with very good results, but prefer Pinnacle for ease of drag and drop. good luck Ken.
incidently studio allows you to connect your cam corder directly to the computer upload the film to the program, then you can cut out all the crap, add music, voice over and the rest,this is really what the program is intended for, but works just a well with photos into a slide show.

Reply 6 : Creating and Burning Photo Slideshow to a DVD

Hi,

I had the same problem. Also being a newbie - as well as stubborn, I spent weeks trying to figure it out.

I was at best buy one day and found a product by Magix called photostory for $20.00.

I worked like magic (no pun intended) and it was so easy to use, that I now have quite a few home made videos. I am sure that if I could do this, so can you. For the price, you cant go wrong.

The down side is you can never get an answer from them on technical issues.

Good luck, and have fun