SWEET & SOUR ProShow Gold. Nice program but full of bugs.

Ferenc Wahl said:

I took the plunge; purchased ProShow Gold. Good features, nice UI,
easy to use program.

BUT:

1.) It CRASHES on me very often. (My computer is good, P4, 1 GB
RAM, HP DVD burner, etc. no crash with other software.)

a.) In ProShow Gold I selected about 100 images > ordered to import
them (drag & drop) > the program starts importing and crashes.
Don't even think about importing 500 images with one move. It WILL
crash. 10-50 images are slow, but OK.

b.) It crashed during rendering of a text effect. (some "Fly in"
effect; I don't remember)

c.) At full screen preview, if you click too fast (?) to start the
preview it crashes sometimes.

d.) Click Create Autorun CD and it crashes. (Not always of course.)

e.) Autorun CD Menu: Write a Title (by the way there are 2
different titles called simply "TITLE") hit enter and it crashes.

2.) No UNDO! You select all the images on the timeline, because you
want to change the time of all of the transitions. Then you want to
modify only ONE Slide timing, but forget to deselect the other
images. BANG! You have lost ALL the unique slide timings you've
created already.

3.) Incorrect AUDIO file handling. You import (drag & drop) an mp3
file for background music. Strangely enough, a part of the file is
missing. You don't see it on the timeline, but when you play the
show, the music suddenly stops. If you delete the audio file, and
import it again, it works.

4.) The CD BURNING function is very poor. a.) There is NO
VERIFYING. I've created a show and burned 2 CD-s. Both of them has
an error at different points of the show. If you create an ISO
image file and use a decent burner software, the CD-s are fine.
b.) Sometimes the Closing of the disk is wrong. The CD has data,
but it's unreadable.

The good example is the Archive Creator. It has NEVER crashed on me
and burns correctly.

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

6.) Show-Audio Sync is acceptable but could be better. The "Record
Slide timing" function is difficult to use. You have to marker the
start AND the end of the transitions, real time, with precise sync
with the music, without mistake. (I can't do it.) It should be a
multi-step procedure with automatic time calculations.

7.) I burned a SVCD but - of course - I can't play it on my SONY
DVD player. The DVD player IS compatible with SVCD.

So, ProShow Gold needs a LOT more debugging. Now it is very nice,
easy to use, has some excellent features, but altogether it is pain
in the butt. I had more crashes and burned more "coasters" with
ProShow Gold in one day then with other programs in a year. And
this is one of the best Slide Show programs available...

Regards

--
Apic

Click to expand...

Norman Jung said:

I would be extremely frustrated as well with the problems noted
below. Have you de-installing and re-installing PSG to see if a
file may have gotten corrupted? Do you have the latest build, 1592?
I know that PSG on my P4 3.0HT, 1 GB, 256MB ATI 9800, runs fine.
But on my work IBM T41 notebook, P4-M 1.6 Hz, 512 MB, ATI-M 7500,
it tend to run with frequent pauses, but luckily not crash.
Hopefully, you do not have the unfortunate luck of having a highly
rated software package, that just doesn't work for you.

Norman

Ferenc Wahl said:

I took the plunge; purchased ProShow Gold. Good features, nice UI,
easy to use program.

BUT:

1.) It CRASHES on me very often. (My computer is good, P4, 1 GB
RAM, HP DVD burner, etc. no crash with other software.)

a.) In ProShow Gold I selected about 100 images > ordered to import
them (drag & drop) > the program starts importing and crashes.
Don't even think about importing 500 images with one move. It WILL
crash. 10-50 images are slow, but OK.

b.) It crashed during rendering of a text effect. (some "Fly in"
effect; I don't remember)

c.) At full screen preview, if you click too fast (?) to start the
preview it crashes sometimes.

d.) Click Create Autorun CD and it crashes. (Not always of course.)

e.) Autorun CD Menu: Write a Title (by the way there are 2
different titles called simply "TITLE") hit enter and it crashes.

2.) No UNDO! You select all the images on the timeline, because you
want to change the time of all of the transitions. Then you want to
modify only ONE Slide timing, but forget to deselect the other
images. BANG! You have lost ALL the unique slide timings you've
created already.

3.) Incorrect AUDIO file handling. You import (drag & drop) an mp3
file for background music. Strangely enough, a part of the file is
missing. You don't see it on the timeline, but when you play the
show, the music suddenly stops. If you delete the audio file, and
import it again, it works.

4.) The CD BURNING function is very poor. a.) There is NO
VERIFYING. I've created a show and burned 2 CD-s. Both of them has
an error at different points of the show. If you create an ISO
image file and use a decent burner software, the CD-s are fine.
b.) Sometimes the Closing of the disk is wrong. The CD has data,
but it's unreadable.

The good example is the Archive Creator. It has NEVER crashed on me
and burns correctly.

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

6.) Show-Audio Sync is acceptable but could be better. The "Record
Slide timing" function is difficult to use. You have to marker the
start AND the end of the transitions, real time, with precise sync
with the music, without mistake. (I can't do it.) It should be a
multi-step procedure with automatic time calculations.

7.) I burned a SVCD but - of course - I can't play it on my SONY
DVD player. The DVD player IS compatible with SVCD.

So, ProShow Gold needs a LOT more debugging. Now it is very nice,
easy to use, has some excellent features, but altogether it is pain
in the butt. I had more crashes and burned more "coasters" with
ProShow Gold in one day than with other programs in a year. And
this is one of the best Slide Show programs available...

Regards

--
Apic

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

I took the plunge; purchased ProShow Gold. Good features, nice UI,
easy to use program.

BUT:

1.) It CRASHES on me very often. (My computer is good, P4, 1 GB
RAM, HP DVD burner, etc. no crash with other software.)

a.) In ProShow Gold I selected about 100 images > ordered to import
them (drag & drop) > the program starts importing and crashes.
Don't even think about importing 500 images with one move. It WILL
crash. 10-50 images are slow, but OK.

b.) It crashed during rendering of a text effect. (some "Fly in"
effect; I don't remember)

c.) At full screen preview, if you click too fast (?) to start the
preview it crashes sometimes.

d.) Click Create Autorun CD and it crashes. (Not always of course.)

e.) Autorun CD Menu: Write a Title (by the way there are 2
different titles called simply "TITLE") hit enter and it crashes.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

2.) No UNDO! You select all the images on the timeline, because you
want to change the time of all of the transitions. Then you want to
modify only ONE Slide timing, but forget to deselect the other
images. BANG! You have lost ALL the unique slide timings you've
created already.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

3.) Incorrect AUDIO file handling. You import (drag & drop) an mp3
file for background music. Strangely enough, a part of the file is
missing. You don't see it on the timeline, but when you play the
show, the music suddenly stops. If you delete the audio file, and
import it again, it works.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

4.) The CD BURNING function is very poor. a.) There is NO
VERIFYING. I've created a show and burned 2 CD-s. Both of them has
an error at different points of the show. If you create an ISO
image file and use a decent burner software, the CD-s are fine.
b.) Sometimes the Closing of the disk is wrong. The CD has data,
but it's unreadable.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

The good example is the Archive Creator. It has NEVER crashed on me
and burns correctly.

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

6.) Show-Audio Sync is acceptable but could be better. The "Record
Slide timing" function is difficult to use. You have to marker the
start AND the end of the transitions, real time, with precise sync
with the music, without mistake. (I can't do it.) It should be a
multi-step procedure with automatic time calculations.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

7.) I burned a SVCD but - of course - I can't play it on my SONY
DVD player. The DVD player IS compatible with SVCD.

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

So, ProShow Gold needs a LOT more debugging. Now it is very nice,
easy to use, has some excellent features, but altogether it is pain
in the butt. I had more crashes and burned more "coasters" with
ProShow Gold in one day then with other programs in a year. And
this is one of the best Slide Show programs available...

Regards

--
Apic

Click to expand...

David Haworth said:

David Haworth said:

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

Click to expand...

I have seen symptoms similar to this. Sometimes, it display a
different slide to the one selected. You have to select another
slide and then the one you want again.

Click to expand...

ddan said:

No problems here except slow when rendering a slide show consisting
of 750 slides. I always make a ISO file and use it to burn.

Click to expand...

Andycp995 said:

ddan said:

No problems here except slow when rendering a slide show consisting
of 750 slides. I always make a ISO file and use it to burn.

Click to expand...

Could I get a quick crash course on how to make an ISO file so that
I can burn the slideshow to a disc. Thanks a lot!!!

Andy

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

I took the plunge; purchased ProShow Gold. Good features, nice UI,
easy to use program.

BUT:

1.) It CRASHES on me very often. (My computer is good, P4, 1 GB
RAM, HP DVD burner, etc. no crash with other software.)

a.) In ProShow Gold I selected about 100 images > ordered to import
them (drag & drop) > the program starts importing and crashes.
Don't even think about importing 500 images with one move. It WILL
crash. 10-50 images are slow, but OK.

b.) It crashed during rendering of a text effect. (some "Fly in"
effect; I don't remember)

c.) At full screen preview, if you click too fast (?) to start the
preview it crashes sometimes.

d.) Click Create Autorun CD and it crashes. (Not always of course.)

e.) Autorun CD Menu: Write a Title (by the way there are 2
different titles called simply "TITLE") hit enter and it crashes.

2.) No UNDO! You select all the images on the timeline, because you
want to change the time of all of the transitions. Then you want to
modify only ONE Slide timing, but forget to deselect the other
images. BANG! You have lost ALL the unique slide timings you've
created already.

3.) Incorrect AUDIO file handling. You import (drag & drop) an mp3
file for background music. Strangely enough, a part of the file is
missing. You don't see it on the timeline, but when you play the
show, the music suddenly stops. If you delete the audio file, and
import it again, it works.

4.) The CD BURNING function is very poor. a.) There is NO
VERIFYING. I've created a show and burned 2 CD-s. Both of them has
an error at different points of the show. If you create an ISO
image file and use a decent burner software, the CD-s are fine.
b.) Sometimes the Closing of the disk is wrong. The CD has data,
but it's unreadable.

The good example is the Archive Creator. It has NEVER crashed on me
and burns correctly.

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

6.) Show-Audio Sync is acceptable but could be better. The "Record
Slide timing" function is difficult to use. You have to marker the
start AND the end of the transitions, real time, with precise sync
with the music, without mistake. (I can't do it.) It should be a
multi-step procedure with automatic time calculations.

7.) I burned a SVCD but - of course - I can't play it on my SONY
DVD player. The DVD player IS compatible with SVCD.

So, ProShow Gold needs a LOT more debugging. Now it is very nice,
easy to use, has some excellent features, but altogether it is pain
in the butt. I had more crashes and burned more "coasters" with
ProShow Gold in one day then with other programs in a year. And
this is one of the best Slide Show programs available...

Regards

--
Apic

Click to expand...

ddan said:

No problems here except slow when rendering a slide show consisting
of 750 slides. I always make a ISO file and use it to burn.

Click to expand...

Milind Rao said:

And I thought I had problems with the software! My primary grouse
with it is workflow problems due to poor usability design and an
inability to create a DVD with menus spanning pages. I know it
works for Jason, so I have to figure out why it doesn't work for
me. As you said, it's a pity since some of its features are very
cool.

But there are alternatives. I'm still evaluating other slideshow
software. Right now, I have found MOTV to be better than PSG for
my needs. The other alternative is using a different software for
creating the slideshows (movies?) and a different one for creating
the DVD (not burning). I have seen references to Studio DV, Ulead
DVD Movie Factory etc. There have been a few posts in the last few
days on this. I don't know if they will refund the money. If not,
you might want to consider the second alternative of using another
DVD generation software.

BTW, I think PSG is very good if you want to create an executable.
The workflow problems are still there, but the generation time is
much faster than while creating a DVD and it works flawlessly.

--

Regards
Milind

Click to expand...

Ferenc Wahl said:

Regards

Milind Rao said:

And I thought I had problems with the software! My primary grouse
with it is workflow problems due to poor usability design and an
inability to create a DVD with menus spanning pages. I know it
works for Jason, so I have to figure out why it doesn't work for
me. As you said, it's a pity since some of its features are very
cool.

But there are alternatives. I'm still evaluating other slideshow
software. Right now, I have found MOTV to be better than PSG for
my needs. The other alternative is using a different software for
creating the slideshows (movies?) and a different one for creating
the DVD (not burning). I have seen references to Studio DV, Ulead
DVD Movie Factory etc. There have been a few posts in the last few
days on this. I don't know if they will refund the money. If not,
you might want to consider the second alternative of using another
DVD generation software.

BTW, I think PSG is very good if you want to create an executable.
The workflow problems are still there, but the generation time is
much faster than while creating a DVD and it works flawlessly.

--

Regards
Milind

Click to expand...

--
Apic

Click to expand...

• Fixed memory leak affecting performance and stability on some machines.
• Fixed problem with image offsets on DVDs output with build 1592.
• Fixed alignment problem with drop shadows and outlines when used on images with motion

Ferenc Wahl said:

I took the plunge; purchased ProShow Gold. Good features, nice UI,
easy to use program.

BUT:

1.) It CRASHES on me very often. (My computer is good, P4, 1 GB
RAM, HP DVD burner, etc. no crash with other software.)

a.) In ProShow Gold I selected about 100 images > ordered to import
them (drag & drop) > the program starts importing and crashes.
Don't even think about importing 500 images with one move. It WILL
crash. 10-50 images are slow, but OK.

b.) It crashed during rendering of a text effect. (some "Fly in"
effect; I don't remember)

c.) At full screen preview, if you click too fast (?) to start the
preview it crashes sometimes.

d.) Click Create Autorun CD and it crashes. (Not always of course.)

e.) Autorun CD Menu: Write a Title (by the way there are 2
different titles called simply "TITLE") hit enter and it crashes.

2.) No UNDO! You select all the images on the timeline, because you
want to change the time of all of the transitions. Then you want to
modify only ONE Slide timing, but forget to deselect the other
images. BANG! You have lost ALL the unique slide timings you've
created already.

3.) Incorrect AUDIO file handling. You import (drag & drop) an mp3
file for background music. Strangely enough, a part of the file is
missing. You don't see it on the timeline, but when you play the
show, the music suddenly stops. If you delete the audio file, and
import it again, it works.

4.) The CD BURNING function is very poor. a.) There is NO
VERIFYING. I've created a show and burned 2 CD-s. Both of them has
an error at different points of the show. If you create an ISO
image file and use a decent burner software, the CD-s are fine.
b.) Sometimes the Closing of the disk is wrong. The CD has data,
but it's unreadable.

The good example is the Archive Creator. It has NEVER crashed on me
and burns correctly.

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

6.) Show-Audio Sync is acceptable but could be better. The "Record
Slide timing" function is difficult to use. You have to marker the
start AND the end of the transitions, real time, with precise sync
with the music, without mistake. (I can't do it.) It should be a
multi-step procedure with automatic time calculations.

7.) I burned a SVCD but - of course - I can't play it on my SONY
DVD player. The DVD player IS compatible with SVCD.

So, ProShow Gold needs a LOT more debugging. Now it is very nice,
easy to use, has some excellent features, but altogether it is pain
in the butt. I had more crashes and burned more "coasters" with
ProShow Gold in one day then with other programs in a year. And
this is one of the best Slide Show programs available...

Regards

--
Apic

Click to expand...

Kevin Johnson said:

sounds like you could have a problem with memory on your PC, as PSG
uses a load of memory.

couple of things to check would be your virtual memory settings, to
make sure you have enough.

If using windows, the formula is something like physical memory +
256mb (I think), so if you have a gig of memory, set up for
1024+256mb of virtual memory, don't let windows handle it.

to check your memory, there is a small app called memtest86
It's free to download from http://www.memtest86.com/

you just create a bootable floppy disk with this app, and it will
run through and test your memory.

I have been able to diagnose a couple of PC's with problems that i
wasn't sure what the issue was.

the other thing is to make sure you have no spyware or other
malware in the background, use either adaware, or spybot to check
and remove.

Hope this helps, as annoying as it foibles are, it's a good program.

Kev

Ferenc Wahl said:

Regards

Milind Rao said:

And I thought I had problems with the software! My primary grouse
with it is workflow problems due to poor usability design and an
inability to create a DVD with menus spanning pages. I know it
works for Jason, so I have to figure out why it doesn't work for
me. As you said, it's a pity since some of its features are very
cool.

But there are alternatives. I'm still evaluating other slideshow
software. Right now, I have found MOTV to be better than PSG for
my needs. The other alternative is using a different software for
creating the slideshows (movies?) and a different one for creating
the DVD (not burning). I have seen references to Studio DV, Ulead
DVD Movie Factory etc. There have been a few posts in the last few
days on this. I don't know if they will refund the money. If not,
you might want to consider the second alternative of using another
DVD generation software.

BTW, I think PSG is very good if you want to create an executable.
The workflow problems are still there, but the generation time is
much faster than while creating a DVD and it works flawlessly.

--

Regards
Milind

Click to expand...

--
Apic

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Norman Jung said:

You may try this latest build from Photodex, it may solve some of
your problems.

January 8, 2005 - Version 2.0.1594

• Fixed memory leak affecting performance and stability on some

machines.

• Fixed problem with image offsets on DVDs output with build 1592.
• Fixed alignment problem with drop shadows and outlines when used

on images with motion

I haven't tried it myself yet.

Norman

Ferenc Wahl said:

I took the plunge; purchased ProShow Gold. Good features, nice UI,
easy to use program.

BUT:

1.) It CRASHES on me very often. (My computer is good, P4, 1 GB
RAM, HP DVD burner, etc. no crash with other software.)

a.) In ProShow Gold I selected about 100 images > ordered to import
them (drag & drop) > the program starts importing and crashes.
Don't even think about importing 500 images with one move. It WILL
crash. 10-50 images are slow, but OK.

b.) It crashed during rendering of a text effect. (some "Fly in"
effect; I don't remember)

c.) At full screen preview, if you click too fast (?) to start the
preview it crashes sometimes.

d.) Click Create Autorun CD and it crashes. (Not always of course.)

e.) Autorun CD Menu: Write a Title (by the way there are 2
different titles called simply "TITLE") hit enter and it crashes.

2.) No UNDO! You select all the images on the timeline, because you
want to change the time of all of the transitions. Then you want to
modify only ONE Slide timing, but forget to deselect the other
images. BANG! You have lost ALL the unique slide timings you've
created already.

3.) Incorrect AUDIO file handling. You import (drag & drop) an mp3
file for background music. Strangely enough, a part of the file is
missing. You don't see it on the timeline, but when you play the
show, the music suddenly stops. If you delete the audio file, and
import it again, it works.

4.) The CD BURNING function is very poor. a.) There is NO
VERIFYING. I've created a show and burned 2 CD-s. Both of them has
an error at different points of the show. If you create an ISO
image file and use a decent burner software, the CD-s are fine.
b.) Sometimes the Closing of the disk is wrong. The CD has data,
but it's unreadable.

The good example is the Archive Creator. It has NEVER crashed on me
and burns correctly.

5.) TIMELINE. Say you have 3 slides. #1 is selected. You double
click on #3 for Slide Options, and receive #2 in the Slide Options
window.

6.) Show-Audio Sync is acceptable but could be better. The "Record
Slide timing" function is difficult to use. You have to marker the
start AND the end of the transitions, real time, with precise sync
with the music, without mistake. (I can't do it.) It should be a
multi-step procedure with automatic time calculations.

7.) I burned a SVCD but - of course - I can't play it on my SONY
DVD player. The DVD player IS compatible with SVCD.

So, ProShow Gold needs a LOT more debugging. Now it is very nice,
easy to use, has some excellent features, but altogether it is pain
in the butt. I had more crashes and burned more "coasters" with
ProShow Gold in one day then with other programs in a year. And
this is one of the best Slide Show programs available...

Regards

--
Apic

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

MGregg said:

Do you know if you can just download an update, or do you have
download the entire updated program and install over the old
version?

Click to expand...

MGregg said:

I'm new to ProShow Gold and haven't tried updating my software yet.
Do you know if you can just download an update, or do you have
download the entire updated program and install over the old
version? Photodex's web site isn't very clear on the procedure.

Thanks!

Mike
--
http://www.cyber-golfer.com/gallery/

Click to expand...