Aus and Steves - thanks for advice, feedback for all on my printer experience and slideshow software finds
Last week I asked for advice on (i) printers for digital photos and (ii) slideshow creation software that allows for music and creation of an executable file (to create CD-Roms for distribution to family members and friends). Several of you offered suggestions and advice, thanks! Here's my feedback on what I have found so far, in case anyone is interested...
PRINTERS
I read your suggestions (basically 2 Epson, 1 HP recommendations), and did some reading on Cnet, Amazon, and a few other places. To refresh, I was looking for a mid-range cost printer (say $300-$500) that would give me prints basically to match what you could get at a photoshop.
After all my reading, I basically decided it's still not time for me to get a color printer for photos. In the price range I was looking at, several models seemed like they'd be quite good (Epson 1270, I think, HP 990cse, perhaps a few others might have qualified as well), but that they wouldn't quite match lab prints in longevity or perhaps quality (if there were a printer glitch). I must hasten to add that a factor which played a big role in my ultimate decision is the fact that I expect photo kiosks to start popping up (a local photo shop suggested Feb/March, but others might appear sooner) to offer a viable alternative.
If it were only the cost of the printer, that would be one thing, but I guess I was also afraid of ink & specialty paper costs. I figured by the time you add it all up, and given my concern about quality, it didn't seem like home printing would be much of a bargain.
Perhaps I'll change my mind in a year or two. By then, who knows, maybe great printers and 2 megapixel cameras will be available for under $200.
Software for executable slide shows with music
Here are a few programs I found which seem suited to the task. I have not yet completed a cd-rom slideshow project yet as I don't have registered versions, but based on some fiddling with them they both look like they can get the job done:
AutoRun Slide Show from Duckware: duckware.com ($30) and
PicturestoExe from wnsoft: wnsoft.com ($24)
Both offer partially-functional demos as trials (one splashes 'unregistered' across the slides, the second limits a slideshow to 5 slides) . I ordered PicturetoExe (before running into AutoRun slideshow), if you like I can let you know how it works out.
Andre |
