rather disappointed at the inability to add more than one style to an image; stacking effects on one image is a fairly basic thing I'd expect from this software as it is promoted. Lack of image transitions is also fairly basic yet not included. Very odd indeed. Have attempted to recreate a slideshow already done in WMM but no luck at all. Create presentations like a professional? NOPE. Even basic WMM is more creative and professional than this standard version. If there is a tutorial or I am incorrect I would not mind being informed as to how to stack effects for an image or find transitions without upgrading. Otherwise it's back to WMM for me.

#66 wondershare says it CANNOT do a cd ... only set up to do dvd.

Thanks GAOTD for providing these programs to test and use, I check everyday and have told all my friends.

Note to users that do not know how to install and activate these programs: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST and if you do not know how to do basic computer functions like COPY AND PASTE, you should not be using a computer at all.

@65 and others. It is a pain that the program launches IE.It shouldn't do that! I also got an error when it tried this and couldn't proceed. SO: I copied the URL from IE and pasted it into Firefox. It worked fine, then.

I have downloaded and installed and thats as far as I have been able to go!!! Click on Get Keycode and goes to website offering the advanced version. No pop up window comes for me to put email address and get code?? And no mention of keycode on the web page that comes up! So has this run out already??

I agree it seems to really push you to purchase packs and upgrades. I do have the Deluxe version, I was pushed last time it was here. No regrets was worth the upgrade price. Don't be afraid if you have use for this it is great

i dont have a dvd recorder. can this software be used to make a smaller version that is a cd/vcd version .... must it be a DVD show ... can it be a CD/VCD show ???

The application auto-starts IE to try to get the registration, which is ridiculous for any program to decide to use IE instead of the user's default browser. Then it never processes the info submitted in IE (most likely the problem). Finally copied and pasted the URL for the registration page into my default browser, Firefox, which also never left from the message: "Please wait, data processing..."

Terrible activation method and bad form on the IE thing. I have never had this problem with any other software from GOTD and this is a real bummer.

Two thumbs down for poor programming at the first levels.

Thank you so much for the great software.
I installed it today and had so much fun making a montage.
I added about 11 mp3s clips and 28 photos and blended them together.
It turned out great for my first try.
I am excited to try other effects and see what they do.

My only confusion was with the converting. It shows a preview box that really is just another step to another setup of the montage.
I skipped over that and converted it to a wmv and outputted it that way.
Great program!

I had to un-install this. I was able to install & register ok, but as soon as I registered it and selected standard mode, it restarted my computer!. Then I tried to run the program and again as soon as I selected standard mode I kept getting access violation error constantly, had a hard time even get it to close, because the error kept coming up so often. Running XP with SP3.

Thank you kees and autotran for the registration tips. Contro V did not work on my machine for some reason (why?) though it has be fine in the past, so I had to copy the whole thing by hand. It was useful to know that the zeros were numerals and not letters. I hope this will help anyone with a similar rego problem, as it is very frustrating.

This program failed to install twice due to a runtime error. Failed to copy a dll from c:[slash]temp. A similar defect happened previously on my XP SP3 machine with two Wondershare programs. I shall not waste more time with Wondershare products.

Help. We thought this was safe to install....

We are getting an access violation in projectdoc.dll - and we can't shut the program down.

We did run it as Admin, and maybe that's why we can't shut it down.

There also was a pop up to erase the temp files... that may be the start of the problem.....

Wondershare flash galery standard is free but only for 30 day,also his resource(from free resource),free menu templates are free with watermark until you will buy this package.

http://www.ourpix.com/photo-story-style.html#fashion
go to free resource and download

This is the comparison page that threw me off... their site makes no sense, really for what you would get for an extra $30, other than video for sure...
http://www.ourpix.com/dvd-slideshow-comparison.html

Are people using the standard mode? I cannot select advanced mode, it is greyed out and that is where it also says uses transitions, etc... I had no problem registering this, but I can only go into the standard edition. Is this right?

@#14 and others, thanks, I was going buy the upgrade sale offer, and when I look at the comparison chart it says right there, that the standard version does not include transitions, editing photo length, etc, that i had posted... I will try your suggestion and see...

I can't install the program even under admin. All I keep getting is "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process". Any help here folks? I have never had any trouble downloading and installing anything from GAOTD before.

You can set the photo duration but you have to do it for every photo you have on the timeline if you want to have the same duration on all of them, I got tired of it after doing 50 photos, it's a lot of keyboard strokes and mouse clicks.

Im sorry but I have to step up in defense of WONDERSHARE.To all the people who say that this is no good,I beg to differ. I have a few big wondershare programs on my system and NEVER had ANY problems with it.As for customer service,let me give you an example;I had mistakenly deleted my key for v6 of slideshow builder deluxe from my files(ya stupid i know)I emailed WONDERSHARE support, explained the Issue and with in 6 hours I had my key back.It took 6 hours due to time difference.It was late evening in CANADA. so if you think about it, the wonder share team had just come into the office and were right on top of things.try and get that response from other software giants.GOOD LUCK.
also i have had flashslide show deluxe for a few days now and am only now finding all the effects and things.
Take the time to play with the software and get to know it before you slam it. you will be pleasantly surprised.
once you get comfortable with the software you will realize how good it really is and how supportive the wondershare team is if you do have a Issue.
give it a chance, its free.if you dont like it uninstall it. simple.

@37 Rebecca, where did you find the free templates? sure would be useful.
Thanks

Wondershare is the BOMB..set up on the first try..whatsa matter with you guys..its not the software, it's vista..thanks all of you vista people for working out the bugs..
this software has over 100 usable 'styles'..
animated 'clipart':over 3 dozen..same with 'effects'.
over 50 'sound bites'-
20 'intro/credits' including one to create your own custom intro/credit
and it fits just perfectly into my budget.
i still want to see if it will incorporate my fonts to the DVD..im a font nut.
i so much appreciate these giveaways..THANKS !! !!

#35 "If you have a firewall that does what its supposed to, why worry about the program accessing the internet? Like, so what? "

No offense, but that's a pretty ignorant statement to have these days, especially regarding computer security, just cause you have an "awesome firewall" does not make you bulletproof.

Unless you specifically ask it to go out and check for updates, or anything of the sort, the program should not be constantly connecting back to it's main servers as often as it does.

Not saying this program is doing anything maliciously, I honestly haven't had the time to inspect the packets to see what it is sending over, but when my AV & Firewall software start going off during the install and during use, I tend to get a little paranoid, hence the packet inspection, where I'm looking directly at the packets going back and forth from my machine to theirs.

BTW the program does look pretty nice, but I sure as heck wouldn't install it on anyone else s machine till I knew what the heck it was doing, if I tell a program not to do any updates without asking, or if I do not give it specific permission to access the net then it should in no way be making any type of connection.

Or if you do want to be safe and use the program, install the program but just block its connection to the net, that's how I've got it now, and it seems to run just fine.

When it comes to computer security there is no such thing as paranoia.

#5: "... ”Set Photo Duration” is not available in the Standard edition? ..."

Go to the timeline view, then drag the end of the clip... all but the 1st spot will lengthen -- I assume the 1st spot is left alone as that's where you'd insert the intro credits, but you can lengthen it, or any other clip individually.

* * *

#31: "Does anyone know if this program can be set to show slides just like the old optical slide projectors? In other words, the slide doesn’t advance until I press a “Next” button or right arrow or something? "

No -- Wondershare's app just creates a single audio/video file out of your images. What you're after can be done in several (most all?) DVD authoring apps -- each image is encoded as a separate file, & displayed on a menu page with as many buttons (hidden or otherwise) as you want to include. The downside is that Video DVD's have limits on how many menus you can have [I **think** it's something like 99 *but don't quote me*].

* * *

#39: "... my photos while they showed up in the smaller icons along the bottom of the screen and the one on the side did not show up in the main part of the window. Only colored lines?"

That large center view is a video preview... Not being able to display/play video could be software conflicts, graphics drivers etc. DVD Slideshow Builder doesn't add anything itself that could cause that sort of problem, so my guess is that you'd have the same sort of results in some other player software too -- you just haven't come across it yet. That said, it might not be easy to track down or cure, & if the software you normally use is fine, not sure it'd be worth it to try.

I own a few titles from Wondershare, and I have to say that if you pass on this because of naysayers, then that will be a mistake. I've used and purchased multiple titles of their software since WIN XP early days. When having to reinstall during upgrades to current version, WIN7 Ultimate, they all still work. In other words, no hard coding is used preventing a user from upgrading because of registry stamping that limits install directory locations. I am currently compiling a DVD using photos that date back over 200 years and were scanned in for just this purpose. I already have a DVD completed using other packages, but will surely try this as well.

This package contains mostly everything needed for the average user and the only recommendation I can make is that the DVD generator have the ability of "Making it fit" as some DVD compilers have. The quality settings somewhat allow this, but with the transitions being added it extends the size of my original project which also contains 8mm videos which were added as a introduction. Perhaps transition effects sizing may fix this, so this is not to be considered negative, as I haven't attempted this ability.

I have created the project but will have to tweak (customize) it to see what can be done. The preview looks great and people can always export it to other formats such as MPG, MP4, AVI, etc...and then use another compiler to actually burn the DVD using that as a source video.

All in all, a very advanced package if you are willing to explore it's capabilities...my opinion of course, but I'm sticking to it.

I was surprised by the depth of Wondershare's DVD Slideshow Builder, but I'm a bit concerned about the output of this very easy to use program... for biz use, or if you're giving your finished DVD out to lots of friends/relatives, I'd suggest either exporting video only & using another DVD app, or just sticking with another app entirely. Though the HD output does not pass Blu Ray compatibility tests, I think in most cases exporting an audio/video file for other uses you'll be fine. The GOTD & Trial versions are slightly different -- you cannot register the trial with the key you'll get, but the trial allows you to try out the Advanced mode. The template pack you can get here installs in or with the GOTD version: [http://www.ourpix.com/dvd-menu-template.html] [there's also a link in-program]. Finally, registration **may** be keyed to your PC/laptop.

There's info & tutorials on the Wondershare site, but as a quick summary, you import your photos, have the chance to perform minor editing, then go to the Storybook or Timeline views to arrange everything. In the timeline view you add one of several transitions to each photo you've selected -- I found adding the same transition to more than one image at a time iffy -- sometimes it worked, but more often not. There are music, sound effect, & a recording track for audio, plus clipart. effects, & subtitle tracks... Clipart, effects, & subtitles are re-sizable animated sprites you position where you want, that you set to last as long as you want -- note that you can add subtitles while editing individual images, & there doesn't seem to be a difference vs. the more flexible timeline approach. Last but not least, while working with the timeline you can add intro &/or closing credits. When you're done there, you move on to Create your project -- saving as a file is pretty straightforward, but you've got a few more options if you're going to DVD... You can set the menu background image/video/audio, & the thumbnail &/or frame for your slideshow video button, & the pre-packaged style for a play button [IMHO it's redundant but you can't get rid of it].

DVD Slideshow Builder's setup file includes an update from Microsoft for XP & Vista [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/952011] -- Normally it's used/installed when you add a Blu Ray drive to enable UDF 2.5 in Windows. When I added a Blu Ray drive my personal experience (in XP Pro SP3 32) was that the update helped, but I had trouble even browsing BD discs in Windows Explorer until I installed the version of PowerDVD8 that came with the BD drive. I mention that because the MS update still ran, & it changed some of the registry settings -- I don't know if those changes would have any effects. Otherwise DVD Slideshow Builder is almost portable -- has little impact on the registry & none on Windows. The program folder before the template pack holds ~101MB with 3,138 files, 108 folders -- After: ~177MB in 3,767 files, 108 folders. Folders are also added to My Documents & all users App Data.

What I don't like about the DVDs you make with Wondershare Slideshow Builder is that they're somewhat non-standard, & you don't have much DVD authoring capability. The slideshow mpg2 video file on the DVD was the 1st [& only allegedly DVD spec] mpg2 file I've ever come across that Sony DVD Architect wouldn't accept without re-encoding, & I've imported hundreds (if not a few thousand) over several years. PGCEdit also complains that there are several sets of Button Over Video -- why they would be there I've no idea [these are the buttons/links you can press/activate with the remote while the video's playing on some special DVDs] In a nutshell, I'd be afraid of hearing back from whomever that my DVD wouldn't play -- DVD players vary a LOT in what they'll handle, & won't. As far as capabilities go, in many DVD apps you can find a lot more menu customization (including the ability to add & arrange menus), the ability to set chapters for each image (optionally with chapter menus), the ability to use individual video files (e.g. 1 per image or group of images) & tie them together so they could be presented in different ways/orders, the ability to use a menu page for each image (lets you do some interesting stuff), & depending on the app, maybe real button over video (BOV), where clicking on a link in the video does something like take you to another image or video.

You can get a quick overview of some alternative apps by going to videohelp.com, clicking tools, then entering slideshow in the search box. Most intro to midlevel video apps, like VideoWave (bundled with Roxio's Creator 2010) include some slideshow capability & loads of transitions, & some DVD authoring apps include that stuff too. Many of these apps will also do Blu Ray (albeit more primitive than the one's you'll buy) -- design your project once, output both ways if you want... BD writers have dropped in price from ~$200 to just over $100 in the last year, will be cheaper next year, & you can find the blank discs at ~ $1.00 each, so it could make sense to keep that in mind when looking at any DVD software.

Can the viewer of the slide show pause the slide show or advance the slide show manually?

@32 Word To The Wise wrote:

Be careful about upgrades offers for Wondershare GOTD versions of their software

I for one downloaded the standard Slideshow Builder and I am quite happy with it. Haven't tried the Deluxe version. As of the customer support policy of software developers, they all usually do not care to fix crashes, and Wondershare is no exception in this case.

The various PC hardware composition and huge software diversity make them nearly impossible to track a single customer's problem, especially if the user is not qualified enough to submit any special information needed for programmers (events, logs etc.) Even if s/he does, the company will hardly ever assign anybody to fix a bug that reveals itself only in some specific hardware/software composition. If you were a business that bought a multiple license for commercial use, probably they would speak another language to you.

So the only way to save money in your case IMO is perventive: never buy a new version of an even proved piece of software without trying it on your computer first. It is true not only for Wondershare.

COpy hit control+C
Paste hit Control+V

This is a very nice program it has quite a bit of contace and the effects are very nice Thanks! Donna

#11 autotran------- Thanks I was having the same problem as #4 and # 10. Now if I only had enough sense to remember that shortcut for the next time.

Hey, this is nothing more than a push to make you purchase the "deluxe" version. Uninstalled, and I won't be going with anything else from Wondershare ever again.

Another great program from Wondershare.I have three others and anytime I see one offered by GAOTD I jump on it. This downloaded and installed very easily. Almost missed the registration code after I put in my email address because the type was so small. I haven't got to far into this yet but I would agree with Ben (#5 above) that you should be able to set the duration of each slide. Coming from a development background sometimes some functions just get missed in an effrot to get the release out. Keep up the good work.

Installed and ran great for me. I am using Windows XP Media Center Edition. I downloaded the free DVD menu templates as well and they installed just fine. This looks like a fun way to present family photos.
My only complaint (and it really isn't a complaint as this is free-thank you) is in order to use the movie style packs you need to pay $9.95 for each pack. This isn't a big deal as there are cute options available for free but seeing the movie style available makes me want it. However, I wouldn't use the option enough to make the purchase viable.
Thank you also for having the PAL or NTSC options.

Installed and activated with no problems (XP SP3). Played around with it and was able to create a nice little slideshow, as advertised. Biggest issue I see is that the giveaway version does not support movie files. You must purchase the upgrade in order to include movie files. For $30, it's not a bad deal, just be aware.

Thanks GAOTD and Wondershare!

Followed the directions in the ReadMe, successfully activated no problem except you cant copy and paste the code, you have to manually type it in, and they are zeros all of them not O's.

As for the web pages etc. associated with the software, they are obviously full legit, nothing sloppy that Ive seen so far and im a bit picky; I like eye candy.

What Ive seen happening lately though is that some people create a mountain out of a molehill about the softwares offered on GAOTD, and if the person sounds rather smart then the rest of us who could have found a useful software dont give it a chance. Like, I have an awesome firewall, I never have to see what it's doing. So these popups people are getting from their firewalls I understand it is making them crazy and paranoid about the program "calling home".

If you have a firewall that does what its supposed to, why worry about the program accessing the internet? Like, so what?

I have been looking for photo video software, and thank you GAOTD! I only the standard version is suffice for my needs as these programs can go for upwards of about 70 dollars or more. Sure gonna check it out!

Comment by Verlie Whitlock @# 22.= I’ve tried setting up this software and always get an error code – cannot find the executable file to start the actual software on my PC (Vista 64); this happens a lot with GOTD software – what am I doing wrong?

Hi Verlie - I'd suggest that you are not logged in as an Administrator & as such - Windows is refusing to allow Installs.
To get around this issue - simply exract the files from the .Zip file (( I always use / recommend WinRar )) & then 'Right-Click' the Setup program Icon in Explorer - (( or however you ae opening it )) - & select ''Run-As'' & Select 'Administrator' then 'OK' . . . This should run the Setup Programs OK.

IF no change OR you ARE logged on as an admin - your Anti-Virus / FireWall may be blocking the Setup Program from running due to the wrapper that GAOTD uses ! You MAY need to disable the AntiVirus OR FireWall for a Few Seconds to allow Setup to complete !

I hope this has been of help to you !

Cheers For Now

- - Mike - -
( Macs-PC )

20. Microsoft Photo Show , if U dont have that already ... similar to this but more basic http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx

About Upgrades Offers For Wondershare GOTD Versions

Be careful about upgrades offers for Wondershare GOTD versions of their software.

I purchased an upgrade to a GOTD version that didn't work as the GOTD version, without first trying out.
I simply assumed that since the GOTD version worked, it would also work well.
Well, it didn't and it was a very bad experience; the software produced crashes trial after trial and I couldn't use it.

The company does not have a money back guarantee and refused to refund my purchase.
They actually did not believe that their program did not work and assumed I was lying.

I was finally able to recover my money through my bank, by way of chargeback.

I know they have received a lot of praises on GOTD, but this is my personal consumer experience.

I will never again try, buy or recommend any of their products.

Make sure you have tried and are fully satisfied before buying from any GOTD upgrade offer because you will never get your money back if anything goes wrong.

I also realised that some of the GOTD offers do not always have the same features as the non-GOTD versions.

Just a word to the wise.

Does anyone know if this program can be set to show slides just like the old optical slide projectors? In other words, the slide doesn't advance until I press a "Next" button or right arrow or something?

I realize there may be technical reasons why a DVD can't do this "infinite hold" function because I've never found a slide show authoring program that does this, but I keep searching nonetheless! I mean, no matter what duration I choose, it's never the correct length for every slide I'm showing and talking about.

Yes, I know I could just use the maximum time allowed and hit the advance function prior to time expiring, but I would love to find a program that just duplicated the old slide advance button intentionally.

So if this Wondershare program can do that, please let me know. Thanks all!

no use for this product at all so I will pass on it, but thanks any way.

I've never had a problem installing a GATD program before, but I unzipped the file and clicked on setup.exe and it immediately opened my browser and said that the program had been activated and I got an error message at the same time that says, "The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process"

Before I clicked on setup.exe, I closed everything -- the setup.exe opened my browser -- no other process is running! The program didn't install even though it says it's activated! I've tried it 3 times with the same result, both with the browser open and shut down.

I'm running Windows XP SP3

Can anyone help? I'd love to have this program!

Hi Folks

I have a quick addition to add to what's been said already. . .

As you were instructed before - highlight the long code BUT it's best to start at the bottom right - at the very end - bang-up agaist the last character & work your way backwards to the start of the code. Especially if you are going to copy & paste into WordPad or Word etc. & then going to copy & paste FROM WordPad etc. INTO the Register field.
The reason for working backwards is that when working forwards - Windows will often highlight & copy the space character at the end of the code & it can be hard to spot !! - NO IDEA WHY - but it always has. - As a result - by copying the space also - the program will reject the code as invalid !

So start with the mouse against the last character & with the left button down highlight every character until the very first character is finally covered then let go of the mouse buttons & either press [Ctrl] & [C] OR 'right click' the mouse - ON TOP OF THE Highlighted Code & select 'Copy'.

When inserting into a program like this one that doesn't offer ''Right-Click - Paste'' . . . you can EITHER - press [Shift ] - & [Insert ] (( Above [Delete] )) together OR as previously mentioned [Ctrl] & [V] in order to Paste !!! (( I usually use [Shift] & [Insert] ))

Copying to WordPad etc. would be particularly useful for keeping the Serial No. Handy for future Installs (( A TRUE GiveAway )) :o)

I hope this has been helpful to some of you !

Cheers For Now

- - Mike - -
( Macs-PC )

As I could say this is very very expensive for price $49for this basic pogram . As we can say this is 49 days of wage in china for average people in china and there are manymore simmilar programs are as free version for free with lot more option and btter interfaces. Moreover, Registration crashed my pc and Ihad to restart my pc also I could not copy and past email address & registration information and I had to type it manualyas it was hassel.Email address is also another way to spam your email box with constant offers for junk programs nothing less .I give 10 Tumbs Down cheers

Read # 11, if paste doesn't work hold down on the Ctrl key and hit v.

Trust me, even if you don't know how to work this program, download it and learn later. It's a quality program if you have need for such.

If you are having useability or install issues and happen to be running Win7, just use Windows Live. It has a great DVD making software bundled with the free apps.

Just putting it out there.

First, allwed me to declare that english is not my native language and it is possible to include some typo mistake on my comment. Still I feel the need to add some words so indulge me
Installed well on Win 7 64 bit
Registration is simple end not time wasting and as somebody before allready say, copy & paste can be change with Ctrl-C (for the code) and than Ctrl-V (for the registration block)
As for the rest, NO transitions effects, NO custom motion effects, NO set for photo duration. Only bassic operations, a little more glary than windows default program for slideshows. I really don't understand why somebody must pay 30$ for the STANDARD version and almost an extra 60$ for "advanced"mode
Expensive and large program and as far as I can see, it's like an nice pack gift on the outside but after you unpack it you find out that you have to pay extra for the real thing

please disregard my comment #3 above. The problem must have been in my computer, 'cause after I rebooted it, the program installed with ease. I was also able to register it without any difficulty whatsoever, and the software seems to be working just fine and doing as advertised.

I've tried setting up this software and always get an error code - cannot find the executable file to start the actual software on my PC (Vista 64); this happens a lot with GOTD software - what am I doing wrong?