In the past I've created 'slideshows' for use in lectures, front of house, exhibitions etc. using html+javascript, html+flash, standalone executable files using multimedia authoring software, DVD/CD, Windows .scr files and various video formats.

I prefer to think up my own innovations and so I don't bother with templates and predefined ways of doing things (possibly to my own detriment sometimes) but so far I haven't bottomed PD's capabilities yet.

The big decider for me is this forum which you can turn to for user advice and help.

p.s. I'm also a big believer in not just having one string to your bow

Hi rpwoodjr -

I've used that software fairly extensively - enough to be able to offer some comparative thoughts.

Since such discussions are sometimes regarded as being "against the rules", I'll carry on this discussion with you by PM in preference to having the thread/posts removed.

Both pieces of software have distinct advantages over the other, and can work well in combination.

Longedge - we're in agreement, but the use of templates isn't compulsory. It comes down to what each piece of software is capable of achieving.

Cheers - Tony
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Quote: Since such discussions are sometimes regarded as being "against the rules", I'll carry on this discussion with you by PM in preference to having the thread/posts removed.

Hmm.. I'm in favour of an open genuine discussion.

Oops! Apparently, there are forum rules making discussion of other vendor's products taboo. So, let me repackage my question.

As someone who recently switched from a video editing program that I was happy with to PowerDirector 11 (which I am also happy with) and as someone who has 10 years of extreme satisfaction with ANOTHER product for developing slideshows.... I ask whether PowerDirector 12 is robust enough as a slideshow program for me to justify to myself (and to my wife) to spend another $65 and make PowerDirector 12 my combined solution for video editing and slideshows. I would not likely be a regular user of templates - but I say that without having spent any time using them.

Is that better?

(BTW...dummy me had not thought of downloading a trial version of PD12 until late last night...which I have now done).

One other key piece of information...One of the reasons I'm considering jumping from PD11 to PD12 so soon after purchasing PD11 is for the new feature where you can select and produce a small portion of the video project. Each summer I'm the volunteer photographer / videographer for a summer baseball team of college players (in the Coastal Plain League) and I am now browsing through approximately 25 hours of video to capture individual highlights. I produce each highlight clip, save it with a file name that identifies the player, and will later create a DVD for each player that includes his personal highlight show. Capturing those individual clips with PD11 is pretty cumbersome.

OK...I'm done.

Quote: the new feature where you can select and produce a small portion of the video project.

On that specific point, I find it so easy to highlight a section of the timeline (using the orange scrub markers) then copy and paste to a new project and go ahead to produce it.

Longedge - we're in agreement again! I'd prefer an open discussion too - you get a broader spectrum of experience.

rpwoodjr - as we've both said, the two pieces of software can compliment each other well. Each has the ability to produce "instant" presentations with templates & each is customisable & able to be applied manually.

Equally, they each do things the other doesn't stand a chance of doing. That's why I'm happy to use whichever suits my purpose. Once I'm ready for final production, PD is the go-to tool.

To me, the upgrade to PD12 is very worthwhile. It builds on some already good features in PD11, one of which you've mentioned.

Cheers - Tony


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