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Windows Live Slideshow by Oksana Cobb

Page history last edited by Oksana Cobb 11 years, 1 month ago

Windows Live Movie Maker (For Photo Slideshows) Review

by Oksana Yemchenko-Cobb

Description

Allows to import and edit slide shows, quickly add photos from your PC or camera into Movie Maker. Allows to edit the soundtrack and add a theme.

Movie Maker adds transitions and effects automatically so your slide show looks polished and professional. Allows to share your final product online: on Facebook, YouTube or other social networking sites. Allows to send a link to your movie in an email to family and friends so they won’t miss it.

Website

Access

Completely free. Download at: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/movie-maker-get-started

Sample Usage

My 46 Tango photo slideshow with Argentine Tango soundtrack uploaded to YouTube - Tango Passion

What the Tool Does Well

1) Allows to import photos from your hard drive, digital camera, a flash memory card, DVDs, or your mobile phone.

2) Provides with the adding soundtrack and audio editing capabilities. Enhance the slideshow by a great sound and make it more polished and professional by using the editing features to adjust the volume, fade music in or out, fit the soundtrack to the length of the slideshow and more.

3) Allows to choose a cool theme and takes the headache of transitions out by filling the transitions automatically based on the theme chosen.

4) For those who feel more creative, Animations tab offers customized transitions. Visual Effects Tab renders very artistic and quick photo editing.

5) Web sharing: Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Windows Live Groups, Skydrive etc.

6) Great variety of saving options: for HD display, for computer, for e-mailing, for mobile devise (large to small resolution). Also recommends the most optimal saving resolution based on the quality of the photos.

7) Additional features worth mentioning: photos can be rotated, changed to black and white, sepia, brightness can be adjusted.

8) Text can be added (Title, Caption, Credits templates).

What it Does Poorly

Not available outside Windows 7 or 8.

Complete list of system requirements:

Windows Essentials 2012 requires the following:

Operating system: 32- or 64-bit version of Windows 7, or 32- or 64-bit version of Windows 8, or Windows Server 2008 R2.
Processor: 1.6 GHz or higher with SSE2 support. SSE2 is supported on Pentium 4 processors or newer, and AMD K8 processors or newer.
Memory: 1 GB of RAM or higher
Resolution: 1024 × 576 minimum
Internet connection: Online services require dial-up or high-speed Internet access (provided separately—local or long-distance charges might apply). High-speed Internet access is recommended for some features.
Graphics card: Windows Movie Maker requires a graphics card that supports DirectX 9.0c or higher and Shader Model 2 or higher. For DirectX 9 hardware onWindows 7, go to Windows Update