Tech Tuesday: slide show on a CD/DVD?

Today's Tech Tuesday feature question is about creating a multimedia slide show that'll run standalone on a PC (probably laptop):

I have been volunteered to great the fifth grade slide show ... Any recommendations on a software program that I can add pics, music and save as a self executable file that can emailed or burned on a cd/DVD?

Do you know of a software that's easy to use, and can combine pictures and music into an executable? Add a comment with your suggestion(s).

Sometimes we'll have an open thread; sometimes we'll have a featured question. To have your tech question featured in a future Tech Tuesday, email them in to me, DJ Chuang.

-- DJ Chuang, Director of Digital Initiatives & more, Leadership Network

Comments

[Jeff Wilson]

You need to go and check out Animoto.com. It is free for a basic 'slide show' and only $30 for unlimited access for a year.

We are using and experimenting with it right now. My only concern is what it will look like when we project the show on our large screens. Other than that, it's a GREAT product.

[Michael Schutz]

I second Animoto - they have a great site and it's easy to use. Stylistically things will seem the same, so I wouldn't overuse it, but we have a subscription and love it. They also just started giving the option to download which makes it even better.

I'd also recommend Microsoft's PhotoStory - it automatically does a Ken Burns effect on all your photos (which works pretty well, and you can tweak a little for those that don't), gives you options to have one of their style soundtracks or use your own music and narration, and best of all is free. The only thing I don't know is about the executable - I've just made .wmv files from it. But it's easy to use, that's for sure.

[Blake]

I second the motion for PhotoStory, but make sure you get TweakPS (http://www.windowsphotostory.com/tweakps/) as well. I've used this combo and have recommended it for many a church member.

Photostory by itself has a default duration of 5 seconds per picture. TweakPS (also a free download) allows you to change that duration, as well as allowing a few other options (randomize, no effects, etc.)

Easy to use and free.

[Jack]

If you are using Microsoft PowerPoint, there is an option to export the slide show with the PowerPoint Viewer to CD.

I've not used it, but you could try Eric Meyer's S5 (http://meyerweb.com/eric/tools/s5/).