I'm getting some really odd behavior then. Before creating this topic, I did just what you suggested. However, the change in settings only seemed to affect the last-selected slide. All of the slides were indeed selected.

After reading your response, I opened up DVDA and tried it again. This time, I selected several image files and dragged them into the preview window of the picture compilation (the first time, I added each slide individually). This time, I selected all of the slides on the timeline and changed a setting in the Slide property box. All of the slides were affected.

Here is what I've found upon further testing:

1) If I select multiple image files (via the Explorer tab) and drag them into a Picture Compilation, any setting change will affect them all. I don't even have to select them. However, if I open up a menu, media file, or otherwise leave the Picture Compilation, I no longer can change the settings of all the slides at once. Not even selecting them all will work (it will only affect the last-selected slide just as I initially experienced).

2) If I add slides individually to a Picture Compilation, even when I select all of the slides, I cannot change the settings of all slides at once.

Can anyone confirm the same sort of behavior in their DVDA?

It works for me. I added a Picture Compilation to the Menu and double cliked on it. I dragged and dropped 10 slides from the explorer to the compilation. All the lengths were 5 secs. I clicked on the first slide in the compilation. I selected the whole list by holding down on the shift and and clicking on the last slide. In the Picture Compilation Properties on the right I selected Slide, changed the length, and hit enter or click in space... All the lenthts in all the selected slides werer updated. I am using DVDA3c

Ed B

Admittedly, when I did a quick test before replying, I added several files to the compilation all at once. I didn't think to try adding files individually and seeing if that makes a difference.

So, after reading your follow-up, I tried adding them individually and then changing the lengths after selecting all of them. Still, they all change for me. And if I only select a few of them, the change is applied only to the ones I selected.

This time, I selected several image files and dragged them into the preview window of the picture compilation

Have you tried adding pictures by dragging them to the Compilation window instead of to the preview window? Or adding them by double-clicking instead of dragging?

I've found that adding files to a compilation by dragging them to the preview window is kind of flakey. Sometimes it adds the new file to the list, and sometimes it replace the currently selected one. I'm sure there's a pattern, but I don't use the picture compilation feature enough to notice what it is.

Anyhow, everyone knows you can make better slideshows in Vegas. ;-)

Yes, you can do exactly what Jive wants to do.

1. Press and hold both the Ctrl and Shift key.

2. Click on Options -> Preferences. Release the two keys.

3. Click on the normally hidden "Internal" tab.

4. In the "Show only prefs containing" box, type "delay" (without the quotes).

5. You will see two items labeled "Empty Audio Slide Delay." The first controls the default duration for things dragged into a Music Compilation, and the second controls the delay for things dragged into a Picture Compilation. You therefore want to change the second. The setting is in microseconds, so the default 50,000,000 is the same as five seconds. To change it to 7.5 seconds, you would change it to 75,000,000.

Note: Resist all temptation to start fiddling with other "interesting" settings. Bad things can happen. If you get DVDA into a state where bad things are happening, you can reset ALL settings to factory default by pressing and holding the shift key (or is it Ctrl and Shift together?) the next time you start DVDA.

Huh.

Do those two settings have an effect on anything else, or just on compilation items?

I can understand why Sony would want to leave some settings in a "experts only" menu, but why for this? The default setting for picture length isn't hidden in Vegas, why hide it in DVDA?

Thanks for pointing that out, anyhow. I have a feeling that a lot of the times that someone has asked, "Can I do this..." and I've said, "No, you can't," I was quite wrong. ;-)

Rob

I have a feeling that a lot of the times that someone has asked, "Can I do this..." and I've said, "No, you can't," I was quite wrong. ;-)

You weren't wrong. It CAN'T be done in the product through the normal UI. You were absolutely correct, and no need to apologize, I don't think.

Thank you all for your input. And you were absolutely on target. Using the timeline or the preview window, it's behavior is VERY flakey (can't call it "inconsistent" because it consistently produced the same flakey behavior). However, by using the Compilation window, all is well.

Anyhow, everyone knows you can make better slideshows in Vegas. ;-)

Absolutely, I agree. This was the first time I made use of the Picture Compilation feature in DVDA. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to render the slideshow as actual video. Wouldn't it make more sense to render each slide as a single I-frame since there's no animation, etc.? The way it is now, a simple slideshow can take up an enormous amount of disk space if the duration of each slide is increased. That being the case, I might as well create the slideshow in Vegas and add some movement in the frame as well!

Wouldn't it make more sense to render each slide as a single I-frame since there's no animation, etc.? The way it is now, a simple slideshow can take up an enormous amount of disk space if the duration of each slide is increased.

If you put your pictures into a music compilation, it will do exactly what you ask. You can put a HUGE number of pictures on a DVD without taking up much space at all. Unfortunately, you can't add movement, and can't add music, but you sure can put a lot of pictures on the disk.