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How to Use Technology to Strengthen Family Ties
005 Choosing the Best Slideshow Maker
In reality, she is not really being so very tongue-in-cheek. The criteria for choosing software to make a slideshow yourself are numerous. Consider the following:
- Ease of use
- Design features (transition effects, “Ken Burns” effects [moving stills], timing control, text captions, voice recording, screen templates, and a dozen others)
- Publishing methods (at least four)
- Sharing options (multiple)
- Movie formats (multiple)
- Help and support
Slideshow maker services, on the other hand, make many decisions for you, allowing the process to be much more simple and enjoyable. This is important for grandmas, like Jill, who don’t have a lot of patience with computers. They like the results, but don’t like being hassled by details.
For example, here’s the process that a recommended provider – Animoto.com* – uses to create your video for you:
1. Create or open an account. At first, you might want to choose the free option.
2. Click “create video.” “We Do It for You” services like Animoto have a variety of styles for greetings, birthdays, backgrounds, and other things to bring in a consistent look and feel to your video. Most of the services have a sample that you can view to determine whether that is the style that you want to use.
3. When you have chosen the style you want, click “Create Video.”
4. You will then be asked to upload your photos and even video clips. You can upload these from your computer, a flash drive, or from another internet site.
5. At this point, you can edit the order of your slides or photos, add text, or make other changes.
6. Next, you choose or add your music.
7. Next, you finalize your video. You can customize the speed and length of the finished project here.
8. Finally, click “Create video.” If you paid for the service, like Jill did, your videos can be as long as 10 minutes, which is pretty long for DVD slideshow video.
For an extra $5, you can have a MP4, DVD-quality video made (or “rendered”) for downloading and showing on large-screen TVs or for burning to DVDs (using what is called an ISO file.)
The extra $5 was worth it to us because, although the standard quality may be O.K. for web viewing, the standard video output is probably too fuzzy for large-screen viewers. Be aware that to render DVD or HQ (high-quality) video, however, may take several hours to complete depending on its length, so feel free to run on an errand ’till it’s done. You’ll be advised by email when it’s complete.
Here’s a 60-second clip on how it’s done. Jill’s full-length, big screen version was a huge hit at our recent family reunion. ‘This grandma impressed the socks off her children and grandchildren!
P.S. ‘Like to review how to make a slideshow yourself rather than using a service? Click here. Want a summary of the difference? Click here.
*Full disclosure: Lasting Links has an affiliate relationship with Animoto.com