Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "jamesalvis" 
<alvishsd@e...> wrote:
> I would appreciate hearing the views and experience of users of 
image 
> database software such a Adobe Photoshop Album, IMatch 3, ACDSee, 
or 
> other programs, pro and con, particularly as an archive for images 
> where the primary manipulation will be done in Photoshop 7.
> How useful?  What is the best choice now?  Thanks in advance.
> Jim Alvis

Jim
My first post here, so be kind

I have been looking for a good package to do slide shows. generally I 
want a program that will allow me to put together a slide show with 
the following;

1. music in multiple cuts
2. generally and individually variable transitions, 
3. generally and individually variable projections times
4 Lets me choose the resolution and file size to project 

I am looking at four different programs.

Adobe Photoshop Album
Microsoft Movie Maker II (only for Windows XP
AcdSee5
Magix Video Deluxe 2

Here is what I have found so far.

Adobe Photoshop Album
PRO - Easy to use. Does not take long to build a slide show. has 
captions, etc.

PRO - Lets you pick the file size AND projects that size. Great 
resolution through an LCD projector. 

PRO - Gives you lots of options for saving, burning the show.

PRO - Will write the show as a PDF file which can be used by almost 
any computer. If the subject computer will read a PDF file, you are 
in business.

Pro - I recently did a digital slide show with 397 images each approx 
4 meg. The PDF was/is quite large (1.5 gig or so), but it does work.


CON - Has a limited supply of transitions and you can only pick one 
for the whole show.

CON - you can only use one music file. No dragging and droppiung 
multiple files. It has one and plays that one over and over and over. 
If you want to add more/different/longer music YOU must merge the 
music files yourself. The program dose NOT do that for you.

CON - You cannot vary the length of the projection time. This is a 
problem for me because I like to vary the time and transition effect.

Ocerall , I like the program but it lacks some features I need. I 
hope ADOBE is working on those areas because the program does a super 
job of actually projewcting the image.

Microsoft Movie Maker 2
Great program. Uses the timeline and storyboard modes very 
effectively. Has lots (Tons) of different transitions and effects to 
allow you to project your slides and/or video 

Pro - Easy to use and fairly intuitive. Works for video and/or audio.

Pro - Will play multiple music cuts

Pro - Lots or transitions. Can be set generally and then varied 
individually between slides

Pro - Same for display times.

Con - So far I haven't been able to get it to write to DVD at a real 
high quality. If that happens, then this is the program I want to 
use. But, it really isn't a database.

I'll describe the other two in a later message