Please help

[grok]

Hi all,

I'm just some smuck who would like to be able to organize pictures of my new grand daughters and create DVDs and nice photo packages with maybe a little commentary added.

I was using Photoshop Album Starter 3.0 free version but it stopped letting me use free so I went to the Adobe website and got all confused. So I called customer service and ended up downloading Elements 7 but then discovering that it won't allow DVD writing so then I downloaded Premiere Elements and am trying to figure out how to use it.

Am I on the right track? I just want something that is easy to use and can create picture packages and write them to DVDs. I want to keep it simple because there are many other things that I can do with my time, like enjoy the grand daugthers, rather than trying to become an expert in Adobe products.

[Inspeqtor]

Welcome to the Village :)

I own Photoshop Elements 6, but for creating a slideshow I have Photodex Proshow Gold (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold). I actually have only made a couple of slideshows, but the software is very easy to use, and very versatile. You can download a 30 day trial, to see if you like it before you buy it, or just use it free for 30 days. Proshow Gold will make a very impressive slideshow.

HERE (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold/demos.html) are some demos you can watch of Proshow Gold.

[grok]

Photodex Proshow Gold (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold) sounds good but can it write DVDs so that I can watch the slide show on TV?

[Inspeqtor]

Photodex Proshow Gold (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold) sounds good but can it write DVDs so that I can watch the slide show on TV?

Yes it can. I copied this from their website:

Share Shows Virtually Anywhere




Fully-integrated media authoring for DVDs/VCDs/CDs & Blu-ray (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold/bluray.html)
Enhanced Hollywood-style menuing for Blu-ray (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold/bluray.html), DVDs and PC playback
Combine both TV and PC playback on the same disc
Custom aspect ratio controls support 4:3 and widescreen formats
Anti-flicker filtering reduces flickering issues common in video output
Avoid TV clipping with integrated Safe Zone preview
Supports NTSC and PAL for international playback compatibility
Upload and share your shows online for FREE at photodex.com


Learn more HERE (http://www.photodex.com/products/proshowgold/features.html).

[Inspeqtor]

I should have also added there is a FORUM (http://www.proshowenthusiasts.com/) dedicated to Proshow Gold where you can learn more about it, and get help when needed.

[ATR]

grok

I have been using Photoshop Elements products integrated with Premiere Elements products to achieve the goals that you stated. And I have been quite happy with my decisions and end products which have included use of: Photoshop Elements 3 and 6 and Premiere Elements 2 and 4. I am currently just trying out Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Elements 7.

Back in 2005 when I first purchased Photoshop Element 3 (my very first venture into these types of products) I was overcome by the feeling "What in the world have you gotten yourself into?" I took the time and had enough stick-to-it-tiveness to make it work for me. I completely understand your priorities, but, whether you use the Adobe products or not, it is going to take time to navigate a learning curve.

Charles and others continuously promote the use of the ProShow slideshow software because it was their decision that the worked better for them. So be it. But, Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements have worked for me. So, if you decide to go the Adobe software route and if you want to take the time and hang in there with me, I could try to walk you through (step by step) these Adobe products, getting some photos into a DVD-VIDEO that you can play via TV/DVD player. But, I am going to need details about your photo pixel dimensions and other details of this TV presentation that you have in mind as well as your computer system to see if you have the computer resources to handle this. What other photo and/or video editing software do you have at this point besides those tryout 7 versions?

If you opt for ProShow and help from its forum for its software, I wish you much such success and great family videos. But think about your timing and strategy for your plan of action. I understand that you have already downloaded the 7 versions (Photoshop Elements 7 and Premiere Elements 7). Whether or not you use all of the free 30 days, as I recall Adobe does not give you another opportunity to download this tryout. My general advice is, if possible, to try out software before purchase.

ATR
(I do not know if how many of the threads here that you have read, but I do not work for Adobe, PET, or Elements Village. I am a user, like you, who pops in here to share some "it works or does not work" and "from what I have read" advice.)

[Tom Blizzard]

Hi there.
I fully agree with the Inspeqtor on this one. I've had Proshow gold for about 4 years now and I love it for digital photo shows.

As hard as I've tried and as much as I've read I can not seem to get as good a quality picture when using Adobe Premiere elements to do a still photo show. So, for video, i use Adobe and for still photos I use ProShow gold.

Plus, in my opinion ProShow Gold and/or Photodex has the #1 very best customer service in the digital world. Even years after your purchase, they are still very helpful and willing to solve any issue you might have....:)