Video CD Slideshow

GreenMartian wrote on 1/12/2003, 10:00 PM
I am shopping for software to create video CD slideshows with background music. Will VideoFactory and AcidPro 3.0 provide me with the tools needed for the task. Or is there a better software package for this. I've got Ulead DVD PictureShow and it doesn't include any transition effects between frames. The software seems to be a bit on the whimpy side too. I would like to create full motion video at a later date, so it would be nice if the software could work with slideshows and full motion video. Thanks for your suggestions.

Comments

Grazie wrote on 1/13/2003, 1:57 AM
IMHO VF is perfect for making VCD "stills" picture shows. It will finally make a MPEG1 file ready for its own Make VCD procedure. VF will NOT make any menu structure - but will make a slide show. And yes, all the functionality VF has in making 2-track video and 3-track audio is available to you - when you should make your "stills" VCD.

Okay, that said, what VF makes are DV-avi files which in turn are "rendered" to this MPEG1 format. I believe you can't edit MPEG files in VF - I'm on thin ice here. You need to register the MAINCOncept MPEG1 function with VF. If you are working with the demo version of VF I'm not sure you can do this, as only registered and bought versions of VF will then allow you to "register" the MainConcept MPEG1 encoder - others will correct me on this - okay?

I can only speak for my experience with VF - I don't have AcidPro.

Soooo to assist you with deciding, I've offered you my approach to creasting stills VCDs - Apologies, if you know this already. Hoever, the procedure would be:

1 - Scan photos into VF or from another graphics pacage. I use MS Photo Draw and Photoshop - both excellent products

2 - Import these "stills" into the Media Pool in VF

3 - "Drop" these stills images into - say the second Video track on the timeline, you can use the upper track for any titling

4 - Slap in some music on the 1st Audio track

5 - Capture some narration and slap that into the 2nd Audio track - YOU STILL have a 3rd Audio track to play with too! You could use this for sound effects or whatever - yes?

6 - Select the region you want to produce - experiment with say 2 - 3 minutes.

7 - NOW you can either produce a straight VCD production from this OR you could firstly create a "master" AVI file and bring this back into the Timeline using that as your rendering VCD file in produce VCD - yes?

8 - Make sure you've got a blank VCD in your burner . . . and go for it!

9 - View the finished product through MS MEDIA PLayer or whatever you have -if you've got a DVD player see if WILL play it - I've yet to be able to play my stuff on anything BUT a high-end DVD box - DOAH! And this is where your FUN starts! - From what I've gathered - others will put me right on this - VCD playing on DVDs is "picky". Some will, some wont. Go to www.VCDhelp.com and establish which DVD boxes you will have greater or lesser success with.

Your final comment, "I would like to create full motion video at a later date, so it would be nice if the software could work with slideshows and full motion video." Has cut-it for me. VF will be an excellent way to get you up to speed in NLE work - it worked for me. I've got U-Lead DVD Movie Factory and use it in conjunction with VF. It's not as function rich as VF as a NLE - but then again it doesn't assume this anyway - only simple cuts and splices - yes? Eventually, can only speak for my experience, it is simple to use and IMHO for the money it's "Cheap As Chips". So, having VF now will not only provide you with some fun NLE options BUT at the same time - until SoFO changes its present marketing strategy - also gives you a finacially attractive upgrade path to Vegas Video, VF's bigger brother/sister ;) - Sooooo GM. . . waddya gonna do?

Anyways - enough from me.

Hope this helps,

Grazie
IanG wrote on 1/13/2003, 2:43 AM
Try using the pan and zoom to add a bit of movement / interest to the slides. You could also try putting the audio track in first so that you get the timings for the transitions.

Ian G.
Grazie wrote on 1/13/2003, 2:46 AM
Nice one Ian!

I use the Markers options to "Time" the ins and outs across the tracks. I listen to the beat of the music and "tap" the "M" key as I hear the audio play - simple as that!

Grazie
pfeiferp wrote on 1/13/2003, 9:12 AM
Grazie and IanG...you guys are great for giving such good advice. I've followed along every step of the way.

Now, how do you add a transition effect between clips to REALLY make the finished movie look like a traditional slide show? White color plus the appropriate sound effect? Do you have any tricks? There isn't something built into VF, is there?

Chienworks wrote on 1/13/2003, 9:29 AM
If you overlap the images on the timeline, the overlap area will automatically become a crossfade. Open up the Transitions tab near the bottom of the screen and you will see dozens of categories listed. Choose a category, find the transition you like, and drag & drop this transition onto the overlap. Each transition also has many parameters you can tweak to make it run just the way you want it to.

Probably the only downside is that you have to apply the transitions to every overlap one at a time; there's no function to apply a transition to more than one spot at a time.
Grazie wrote on 1/13/2003, 1:14 PM
It's a pleasure. When you're done you could "post" it on Chienworks "sharing" site - yeah?

As Chineworks says, anything that applies to doing moving video can be applied to the stills project you're doing - okay?

Grazie
GreenMartian wrote on 1/13/2003, 9:50 PM
Sounds like VideoFactory will work fine. I will probably get the software bundle Sony Screenblast, which includes VideoFactory, ACID, Image Editor, Siren Juke Box, and Soundforge. As I understand it, this is really SonicFoundry under a different label. At least I think so. The bundle is about $160.00. I guess it's not too bad if the software is the full version and not a watered down version. Does anyone own this software bundle? Thanks Grazie & others for your time and help.

GreenMartian
Chienworks wrote on 1/14/2003, 6:23 AM
The SONY Screenblast software is genuine SonicFoundry repackaged, so you'll be fine. As far as it being full versions, well, it contains everything the SonicFoundry labeled versions contain and sometimes even an additional feature or two. However, it is all of the "beginner" versions instead of the pro versions. So, you get VideoFactory instead of Vegas, ACID Music instead of ACID Pro, SoundForge XP instead of SoundForge. I wouldn't let that worry you though. The beginner versions still have a lot more power than most people will ever use. The pro versions are MUCH more expensive, but you can get good upgrade deals in the future if you decide you need them.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 1/14/2003, 6:44 AM
The VideoFactory that is packaged with SONY Screenblast has a Chroma Key plugin (i.e., blue screen / green screen) that SoFo doesn’t give you or even make available. I would definitely get that one. I saw this bundle after I had bought VF and was very disappointed that SoFo gives you less. The least they could do is offer it as an upgrade to their VF users.

~jr