DVD FAQ

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How do I get my photos and instructions to you?
How should I organise the photos?
What file size should they be?
Can I add more than one song to a slideshow?
How many photos fit to a song?
How long is each photo shown for?
How many photos can I have in a slideshow?
Can I have the slideshow playing continuously?
Can I combine movie footage with still photos?
Can I play it on my TV and computer?
Can I play it through a projector?
Can I put it on a website?
Can I have the slideshow playing continuously?
How long will it take to put together?

How do I get my photos and instructions to you?
We’re based in North Sydney, so if you’re local to us feel free to make an appointment to hand-deliver them. Otherwise, post them to us (though bear in mind that we don’t take responsibility for precious photographs until they are in our hands). You could also email digital photos to us, though talk to us first to discuss the quantity and size of the photographs.

How should I organise the photos?
First sort them into the relevant slideshows, if you’ll have more than one slideshow. Put them either into different envelopes if they are paper photos, or into folders on a CD if they are digital. Also make sure your pictures are the right way up and in the correct order (either numerical or alphabetical).

What file size should they be?
Ideally at least 1mb, or 6x4 inch size. However, if it is a photograph you love and you’re happy to put up with a bit of grain when it is blown up onto a TV screen, then we’ll include small files in the slideshow.

Can I add more than one song to a slideshow?
Certainly. You can use several tracks, if you’d like. We use MP3 files, or can dowload your song from iTunes. Bear in mind that our software only allows for the music to run from the beginning of the track (no cutting straight to a favourite lyric or chorus). 

How many photos fit to a song?
This depends on the length of the song. On average, a three-minute pop song will accommodate between 30 to 40 photos. If the photos finish before the song, we’ll simply phase out the music with the last photo. If the photos finish before the song, we’ll simply phase out the music with the last photo. If the music finishes first, we can either start the track again or ask you to choose a second song.

How long is each photo shown for?
We recommend between 3 to 5 seconds per image, depending on the liveliness of the music and style of the photos. For example, slideshows showing large groups of people should be shown for longer than single subjects. If you have varied photos, then choose a speed to suit the majority. We generally use 4 seconds as a default.

How many photos can I have in a slideshow?
You’re restricted only by the combined file sizes of your photos, which need to fit onto a 70mb DVD. So check your photos and do the maths.

Can I have the slideshow playing continuously?
Yes.  Let us know if you’d like this. We’ll otherwise set it up to play once.

Can I combine movie footage with still photos?
Certainly. Just pop it on a CD as an MP4 file, and let us know when it should be used in the slideshow.

Can I play it on my TV and computer?
Yes, provided they have DVD players. As default, we burn the DVD as PAL, which suits machines in Australia and Europe. Let us know if you’d like us to burn it as NTSC, which suits North American DVD players. Also remember that you’ll receive digital MP4 versions of the files, which can be played through computer programs such as Quicktime and iTunes.

Can I play the DVD through a projector?
Yes. Some projectors have DVD players built into them. Others simply link up to an external DVD player or computer. 

Can I put the slideshow on a website?
Yes. Along with your DVD, we’ll send you a CD containing high-resolution and low-resolution MP4 files of the slideshows. Give this CD to your web designer.

Can I have the slideshow playing continuously?
We can set it up to loop.  Let us know if you’d like this. We’ll otherwise set it up to be played manually.

How long will it take to put together?
Allow a week, once we’ve got all the photos and instructions from you. Also allow time for the DVD to be posted to you. However, if you need it in a rush, let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

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