There is a lot of difference, it's like comparing a plain jane F150 with out radio or even cassette, V6, manual windows/locks, etc, etc. to a fully loaded Lariat.

No they are not cheap, I've got over 10K wrapped up in editing software for audio, video, graphics, and pre-press print layout. Thank god for tax deductions.

 

LMAO...But if I cant have it, then you may as well send it back, because nothing you do, will ever make your Larry Ette as cool as my FX4

Dont you have a job anymore....get to work.

BREW

 

Hey Matt....sorry for all the questions. I just dont want to make the same mistake twice. But, did you look at the link to the Elements program? From what I read, it sounds like it will do what I am looking for. Again, im not too sure, ive never had any Adobe Photoshop products. Not only am I picky, but at times I can be stubborn as well, HAHA as if you didnt already know that. I hate being in this postion where I dont know much about something I need, and need it in a hurry.


BREW

 

Ha Ha.....(i.e. Jamzwayne's Truck)....

 

It'll probably do a slide show easily, and do it a little nicer than Power Point. So it will get you from point A to point B this time. Now that being said doing slide shows probably isn't going to ever be worth $600 for the full blown version. But then is it worth $100 +? When you already have something that will get the job done.

Go here to learn how to do animation, layer masking, and more in PP Then you can apply custom animation peek-a-boo efects, and lots more to creat nice cool slide transisitons using power point. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=EN
That tutorial is for intermediate users, there are more advanced step by step tutorials out there.

Most people really dont know the potentiol PP has for nice presentations and slide shows. Everybody just does the same old, same old novice designs. If you dive into the program there is a fair amount of unleashed creative power in Power Point. Yes you have to go around and collect sound effects off the internet for Audio FX. But hey they are free and don't take very long to get plus you'll have to in any program.

You know that if I think you should spend your money I am not afraid to tell you that you wont regret spending the extra to get the better item. I can't say that this time.

 

I totally agree....M$ PP has some unbelievable creative power....throughout college, I was always guarenteed an A on any presentation because of my custom PP shows....everyone uses the same generic templates and animations that it gets to a point that the audience does not look forward to presentations anymore....so when you start a show that is obviously away from the norm....the audience is so caught up with the "smoke and mirrors" that the content does not have to be "A" material....

 

Picasa is a cool program and can make a lot of pictures look pretty darn good. I also like the fact Picasa makes organizing my photos extremely easy. I used to do freelance sports photography during college and now have 10s of thousands of pics with a totaly searchable database. My folks use Picasa for thier digital pics that they take, and my mostly computer illiterate mother can tweak pictures to her hearts content with it. Picasa is also pretty cool as it can upload pics to a blogger website and let you share it with other folks. (example from my blog )

I personally use the real Adobe Photoshop, but have messed with the Elements and thought it had potential. I also know some freinds who use JASC Inc's Paint Shop Pro. Usually around 70-100 buck and it does lots of what Photoshop does, esp if you are interested in doing drawings/art work in it.

Oh yeah, if you are trying to make slide shows to show on a regular tv here is something I got of the Picasa website.

Can I play my Picasa DVD on my DVD player?

Although Picasa can copy files to DVD media using both the "Backup" and "Gift CD" buttons, Picasa does not create DVDs that can be played on DVD players.

Some DVD players have the built-in ability to read and display image files. If your DVD player has this capability, you may be able to view pictures from the DVD, yet they will not be accessible in the same order as Picasa.

 

*sigh*


BREW

 

Oh yeah... to answer one of the original quesitons... You do not need photoshop or premeire to make the photshop elements and premiere elements work. They are standalone programs and will work by themselves.

Any other questions?

 

Yes...what should I buy to make this easy on me? Im so confused right now


BREW

 

I have had good luck with the adobe products. Not knowing excatly what you are wanting to do with them, I can't give you a simple answer.

i did look up the review of the Elements and it does have a very good rating. Read the review there and see what it has to say and if you think it might be good for you.

I know i used the full version of Premire back in school, and had a hard time getting it to do some of that i wanted it to, but then that was 3 years ago now, and a whole lot has changed in that program.

 

Brewdude, I have to ask. How do you want to use your slideshow.

1. Are you going to use your computer to run the slideshow?
2. Are you going to use a DVD player and a TV to run it?

If 1 is yes, you can use powerpoint, or any of the software listed here to do it. If you create a DVD, you will need software to play the DVD on the computer. If PP, you probably already have the software. Don't know about transitions with that as I refuse to have M$ Office on my computer. Most photo editting software have some way of doing a slideshow included. Nothing fancy, just pop up a new image every so often by your settings.

If 2 is yes, the Adobe PS Elements with Premiere Elements, Sony Movie Studio with DVD, or Roxio Easy Media Creator are the way to go. Any one of these will work. I have had experience with all 3 and found the Sony did more of what I wanted and was easier to use than the other 2.
When we originally started talking here I had assumed 2.

 

#2 is correct. I want to be adle to make the slide show, burn it to a DVD and give it to my family so they can watch it in a DVD player. I'll take your suggestions with me, I'm leaving work now and heading to the store.

Thanks everyone


BREW

 

Sorry to hear your having problems with pennacle... I remember recomending that program in one of your threads... It has alway's worked great for me. :o


If you find something you like, let us know... it might help a lot of people out who are having problems.



I actually want to try the Adobe stuff now, just to see what it offers.

 

PhillipSVT...No worries man. I did buy it due to your recommendation, but you didnt hold a gun to my head. You said you have worked with it and it was fine for you. I looked at some of the work that was done with the program and liked it and thats why I bought it. Unfortunatley the new one, version10, is full of problems. The thing that bothers me the most, is that Pinnacle will do nothing about it nor will Best Buy. I talked to Best Buy customer service today and they said the only thing they would possibly do, would be exchange it for the same exact thing. I told them that wasn't an option, due to the fact, the program doesn't work properly and they will do nothing to fix it. We went round and round, and this dumb robot on the other end kept telling me it was their policy and that was it. I told him to take his policy and stick it up his a$$. I spend a ton of money in Best Buy and now they treat me like this. I told him I will be shopping elsewhere from now on...he didnt give a crap, so I told him he was a waste of my time and I hung up the phone. So now I have to eat my $100, and dish out some more money for a pogram that works. I looked at the Roxio and the Adobe programs on the way home tonight, but didnt buy either of them. I need to do a little more research tonight to see which program will be best for me. I can get Elements 2.0 for $59.99 and the Roxio was $89.99. THe price isn't the major issue, I just want a program that will do what I need..no more, no less.


BREW