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June 08, 2006
[ DVD PixPlay slideshow creator ]
Price: U$29.50
Rating: 4 stars
The low-down: DVD PixPlay slideshow creator is software that comes from New Zealand and offers an alternative to Memories on TV, the slideshow creation program we have recommended in the past.
DVD PixPlay can be bought online for U$29.50 and there is a trial version which is not crippled but which does put up a closing slide telling the world that the trial user is a cheapskate.
Memories on TV, in its latest version, costs U$50 and has a few more features than PixPlay -- for instance the so-called Ken Burns effects of panning and zooming. Most people will probably be well satisfied with the cheaper Kiwi alternative which can produce slide shows on VCD, SVCD and DVD in a number of different formats -- AVI, MPEG etc.
The PixPlay interface is clear and simple to use. Just select the images for the show from any folder or direct from a camera and arrange them in order. Video can also be imported into the show.
Add a title slide and music in MP3 form and, if you like, make the program match the duration of the slides to the length of the music. Choose transition effects from the 160 on offer and when it has been previewed and finished burn to disc.
Like this: DVD PixPlay is fast reacting software that can put a show together very quickly. It is also simple and intuitive to use. We like the fact that the trial version, which lasts for 45 days, works properly without any limits on file size or pesky text overlays on the pictures. 45 days is a generous trial time.
Dislike that: There is nothing to dislike. Discussion on the xequte website suggests that DVD PixPlay is a work in progress and that there will be constant improvements. There is a forum where users can swap information and make suggestions for new features.
Parting shot: DVD PixPlay is highly recommended for its sophisticated simplicity and excellent value for money. Keep in mind that, as with any similar program, the key to getting good results on the television is in the preparation of the slide images. Make them the correct size for the display TV and lower the contrast and brightness to better match the gamma of the television. Computer monitors and televisions are two different tools for image display and what looks right on one won’t look right on the other.
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Posted by terry at June 8, 2006 02:28 AM
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Comments
I downloaded the trial version of this to see how it compares to Microsoft Photo Story 3 (free if you can find it on Microsoft's web site).
IMO this would be Aus$40 or so well spent if you create slideshow DVDs to play on a TV as it produces a much better result on a PAL system widescreen TV than the Microsoft product.
Oh, there is a limit on the trial version. You can only have up to 50 slides in a slideshow.
Posted by: Richard at June 13, 2006 03:56 AM
Tried using DVD PixPlay and purchased a copy of the software only to find out that when it came time to burn to DVD(Slideshow with Music MP3) that the Slideshow wouldn't work/show on our DVD players. Tries several times to rectify issues with their Tech Support but nothing seems to work.... Have given up i frustratio nand asked for my Money back and will now try anothe Slideshow program.
GK
Posted by: Gary Kyriacou at July 18, 2006 01:47 PM
Gary:
That is bad luck and a bit disturbing.
It so happens that I have just made a slide show using DVD PixPlay and it works perfectly--both image and sound.
My setup is: slow computer, Pioneer DVDR-108, Toshiba DVD player.
I do know from bitter experience that my first DVD player -- a first generation Toshiba -- would not play any home made videos at all. Family videos shot with a Canon videocam and edited with Adobe Premier Elements and burned to disc with Nero simply would not play. Just like .avi files won't play on my present player. So I had to give away the first player and buy a new one. Now I need an even newer one!
Could that be your problem? An older DVD player that baulks at home-made discs?
Terry L
Posted by: Terry at July 19, 2006 08:22 AM
Terry, My DVD player is a Toshiba but is fairly new(about 3-4 years old) but it is a Toshiba so it may have something to do with Toshi DVD players. On the other hand I trialled Memories on TV and it works fine on my Toshiba player(the evaluation version) - BUT I do like the DVD PixPlay set-up and functions alot more(and ease of use is alot easier to get the hang of it so OI agree with your review i.e, value for money and functionalities offered teh NZ product is a much better alternative). I am upgrading to a new DVD(Burner next week so I'll see how this goes and let you know. My dilemma though is that we have a party tomorrow and I wanted to hav ebackground music with kids photos in the background and not sure whether I should bite the bullet and pay for Memories on TV or borrow a DVD and see whether the output of the DVD PixPlay will actually play on the borrowed DVD.
GK
Posted by: Gary Kyriacou at July 22, 2006 11:44 AM
Gary:
Here is some advice from the school of Bitter Experience.
When the event is important and there is any doubt at all always take the course of action that you know will work.
I hate to be the one to break this news to you...a 3-4 year old DVD player is not only old, it is positively ancient! Mine is 2 years old and is already obsolete because it won't play AVI and DIVX files.
Although, having said that it is hard to understand why your player will cope with Memories on TV slideshows and not DVD PixPlay. I assumed that they both produce mpeg2 movie files. Someone might have some experience/info on this.
Terry
Posted by: Terry at July 23, 2006 12:33 AM
I've been mulling over slide show software for some time. I have just a few main criteria:
* 16:9 support
* built in basic photo-editing (must include red-eye reduction)
* fully customisable pan and zoom (per slide)
* output to AVI or DVD.
I have found NO SOFTWARE that meets my criteria. (My investigations documented here: http://www.flyingnerd.com/archives/159.)
I looked at PixPlay, but it doesn't seem to include any of the first three requirements. Am I missing something? Anybody got suggestions for something better?
Posted by: Richard at July 29, 2006 07:57 AM
Richard:
In my experience all slideshow creators will generate a 16:9 image.
Most, if not all, will create a show on DVD in MPEG2 format. CD/VCD quality is not good.
Memories on TV gives a small measure of control over panning but, as far as I can see, no application gives complete control over the so-called "Ken Burns Effect" -- which I find only superficially attractive and very quickly becomes annoying.
I don't know of any slideshow creator that has in-application photo editing. DVD Pixplay has an "open in external editor" menu item.
Posted by: Terry at July 30, 2006 01:29 AM