DVD Slideshow GUI is a powerful freeware program that can create slideshows consisting of images as well as videos, add subtitles, set to music then export them to .ISO format or DVD folder ready to be burned onto a DVD or any of a number of video file formats.
Allows for adding borders, subtitles, and animating images, and provides a full editing environment where every element is customizable and a wide range of pre-defined filters and transition effects are available.
In the outset it is important to point out that there are two ways that you can use this program (a) you might want to upload a whole bunch of images, perhaps tweak the background color and add an soundtrack, and then export your slideshow to DVD or video file. Simple and easy and not too involved.
Or, (b) the other way to use this program is deliberately produce and plan out exactly what happens every step of the way in your slideshow, decide on what kind of transition you want between each and every picture/video, what filters to apply to your images (that might change or tweak the way they are displayed), and exactly how to animate each picture: where it comes in and out, what parts (if any) to zoom in or out, etc… In fact when used as described here this program functions nothing less than a video editor; and, at that, it does an extremely good job and brings to the table a set of very powerful tools for you to work with.
Here’s more info on this program:
- The program: this program is a frontend that brings together a number of free tools including Avisynth, Dvdauthor, HCenc, Media Player Classic, FFmpeg, Flvtool2, Mplex, Demux, mkisofs, etc. All tools are included within the installer.
- The user interface: is one of the nicest things about this program in that it is really simple and straightforwad. If you’re the kind of person who likes to just pick up a program and figure it out you’ll be up and running with DVD Slideshow GUI in very short order. One rule of thumb: if you can’t figure out how to do something its probably in the “presets” section.
- Imports: the following types of media: image files, PNG images with alpha, AVI videos, and Avisynth scripts (AVS). Also accepts MP3 and WAV audio file for the soundtrack.
- Exports: into an impressive range of video formats: DVD folder or ISO (for burning onto DVDs), MPG, AVI, FLV (and will generate HTML code to embed FLVs into your website). Also exports to DVD audio, DVD chapters, DVD subtitles, Avisynth script, storyboards, single images with backgrounds.
- To burn to DVD: use a free program such as ImgBurn or CDBurnerXP to burn the DVD folder or .ISO image to DVD.
- Customizability: pretty much everything can be customized, from the time that each image or video is displayed to the display filters and the animation effects used to bring it into and out of the screen (more on filters and animation effects below). The placement of images can be adjusted, including the margins around them (called ’safe area as it might not show on a TV) and border if any.
- Animation: your images can be zoomed in and out of and yanked around/animated on screen (panned and rotated). The program’s range of canned pre-defined animations make it easy to animate your images (and fun to experiment with all the things that can be done).
- The soundtrack: you can import an MP3 or WAV sound file. The audio by default will loop with your images and will be tapered off once it reaches the end of your slideshow. To add an audio file, use the button on the main interface NOT the audio entry in the “presets” section (not sure what that one is for; does not seem to be 2 ways to do the same thing). I will also add that I tested this program on 2 computers and on one of them the audio output was slowed down and not useable.
- Previews: one of the coolest thing about this program is that you can preview everything. Note, though, that the preview function can at times run slow.
- Transitions: a transition is the pattern by which one image is removed and another introduced. The program offers an impressive range of transitions (180 in total), with the option to create your own. View a list of available transitions here.
- The filters: you can choose from many available display filters that do all manner of interesting viual candy with your images. These can be applied to any individual slides or all slides at once. View a list of available filters here. You can also create your own filters and share them with other users.
- Subtitles: you have the option to add subtitles and change their placement on screen.
- The Help file: is very good indeed and generally comprehensive (and as a bonus is not so large and you can browse through the whole thing in about 10-15 mins)
Wish list:
- The use of default Windows open/save dialogs when importing files rather than the custom implementation used now. Also the ability to drag and drop images/videos to the project would be nice.
- The ability to enlarge thumbnails in the main interface, as they are a bit too small for my taste at the moment. [Update: this is now possible in the latest version]
- Bugs. There are a few that sometimes cause the project to be lost, so save frequently. I am assuming that these will be eventually taken care of in new releases.
Overall a very nice program that is generally easy to use and quite powerful. Highly recommended.
An example slideshow from the DVD Slideshow GUI site which I uploaded to YouTube.
Version Tested: 0.80
Compatibility: WinAll; no info on Vista.
Go to the download page to get the latest version (approx 16.7 megs). Also visit the program home page.
