What is a photo slideshow? What are digital photo albums, or a photo montage?
Is there a difference in the name?
We define a "Photo Slideshow" as moving photos presented on the screen, one after another, choreographed to music, and optionally including titles, captions, and videos. Some people also call this a photo montage, video album, photo collage, DVD slideshow, photo to DVD slide show, picture DVD, or photo DVD. It's all the same as far as we are concerned. We have primarily chosen to use the term "DVD Photo Slideshow" for our service. However, we use the other terms interchangeably throughout our website since there is such a wide terminology.

Do you do rush orders for slideshows? (My party is next weekend!)
Sorry, but we are not able to accommodate rush slideshow orders at this time. Due to the extensive video transfer projects we have, our schedule is usually booked weeks in advance, and so it is difficult for us to allot enough time at short notice for a quality slideshow. For that reason, Timeless DVD requires at least four weeks' production time for slideshows. However, many other slideshow companies online that do not handle video work do commonly offer rush services for slideshows; we advise that you check around.

How detailed does my slideshow order need to be?
It is entirely up to you. Some people just list the songs and the photos that should go with them. Other people want to indicate people in photos that we should zoom in on or people we should crop out. Some ask that we edit out specific lyrics in songs. It's your call! We will carefully follow as few or as many instructions as you choose to give us.

Will my original materials be returned to me intact?
Absolutely! Anything you send to Timeless DVD for inclusion in your slideshow – photos, CDs, video tapes – will be returned with your finished DVD. We do not keep or discard anything that is sent to us by our clients. If you need your photos returned sooner, let us know, and we will return them as soon as the scanning is completed.

Is it safe to send my photos and get them back in the same condition?
We understand this concern, especially with older or valuable photos. There is always a risk in sending anything. However, we have never had any photos damaged or lost when they are packed well and a trackable carrier is used. This is why we recommend packing photos in Ziploc bags and bubble wrap, including cardboard for support, and using a trackable carrier like UPS or FedEx. The shipping process is out of our hands, so the care you take is largely up to you.

We know how irreplaceable your photos are, so when we receive them, we treat them as if they were our own. We leave them in your baggies or envelopes until it is time to scan them. We scan every image by hand for their safety, unlike most large companies, which use automatic feeder scanners. After they are scanned, we return them to your original packaging. They are not removed again unless we need to verify the order or rescan for quality. Our studio is an air-conditioned, smoke-free environment, and your materials are never exposed to heat, sunlight, or any detrimental conditions. Plus, we are a small company providing individualized service to all our clients, not some huge corporate facility where items can be easily lost.

To this day, we have never damaged or lost any photo or video entrusted to us. We guarantee that your photos will be returned to you in the same condition that we received them, unless something catastrophic happens that is out of our control.

Can I see a demonstration or sample?
Just visit our Video Slideshow page for links to multiple DVD slideshows we have created that are indicative of our editing style. You may also order our Sample DVD for only $3.

How do I project the slideshow onto a large screen?
Our Photo Slideshows page covers this topic in detail.

Where would you show a DVD slideshow?
Slideshows are most often shown at parties or special events. We have done slideshows for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, anniversary parties, birthdays, graduations, college banquets, and more. However, we have also created slideshows that were simply gifts for special occasions, and were only just watched at home with loved ones. See our DVD Ideas page for a list of events.

A Professional DVD Slideshow at Timeless DVD

Why should I choose Timeless DVD to create my photo slideshow?
Timeless DVD is the best choice for customers who wish to create a truly professional, visually interesting photo presentation. Our editing style is best compared to Ken Burns' documentaries or television biography programs. We believe in a clean, simple slideshow, featuring high-quality digitizations of your photographs, appropriate zoom and pan effects, elegant transitions, and music that is custom-edited to flow smoothly with the pictures. We pay special attention to making each photograph come alive on the screen.

By comparison, many of our competitors choose a more obvious approach by adding graphics and backgrounds. Many of them use very obvious and distracting transition effects. They also generally do not do extensive music editing, preferring to simply fade a song out when the photos happen to end. (Most slideshow programs do not offer complete music editing capabilities. This is why we use a full-fledged video editor such as Final Cut Pro for our work, which many do not do.) We feel that this is not the best way to make a DVD photo slide show professional, but it is the most commonly-found alternative to our style.

Of course, there are more benefits to working with us beyond our editing style. For additional information, please see our Photo Slide Show page, which explains how we create photo slideshow presentations in detail. Our Video Montage page goes a step further and lists the things to look for when choosing a company that is right for you.

If you compare slideshow pricing online, you will find that Timeless DVD is mid-priced. You will find cheaper services and you will find more expensive services. Producing a quality slideshow is a labor-intensive process that requires the right equipment, expertise, and attention to detail. Be wary of a company that charges a rock-bottom price and offers a turnaround time of less than a week. No real slideshow company can produce quality work without quality time, and longer production time means a higher price. We strive to provide high quality while maintaining an affordable price point for our customers.

Why doesn't Timeless DVD do backgrounds and graphics like some other companies?
We believe that your photos should be the star of your slideshow. Crazy graphics, clip art, and animated backgrounds distract from your images and prevent your photos from filling the screen. Many slideshow companies like to throw in all kinds of graphics and transitions they can, but that doesn't mean it's the professional thing to do.

When you watch television documentaries, do you see ocean backgrounds behind photos? Absolutely not. Do you notice transitions other than simple cuts, fades, and dissolves? Generally, no. There is a reason for this: it's not professional. And it's not Timeless DVD's style, either.

My videographer or photographer does slideshows too. Is it the same thing?
Photo montages created by videographers or photographers are usually limited to one photo slowly fading into the next, which results in a cookie-cutter presentation. This is different from the presentations we offer, which incorporate timing to the movement of photos, music, transitions, and text. Most videographers or photographers offer slideshows as an add-on to their primary service of shooting weddings or events. Therefore, most of the slideshows they offer are not suitable for center-stage presentation at an event. But to be fair, many of these folks are very busy with shooting and editing, and just don't have the time to devote to customized slideshows. We suggest that you request a sample montage from your videographer or photographer, compare it to the work on our Video Slideshow samples page, and then choose which you prefer.

Can't I create a slideshow on my own?
Sure, anyone with the correct software and equipment can create a slideshow – there are many slideshow programs out there. But just like any endeavor, to obtain professional results requires time, skill, and experience. A slideshow company has years of experience and knows what works and doesn't. Hiring a professional almost always results in a higher quality presentation as well as significant time saved for you. See our Slide Shows page for a discussion on this topic.

What's the difference between a slideshow and what photo software can produce?
Many of the commercial software products for organizing digital photos can make basic slide shows as well. However, in most cases, these slideshows are only for viewing on the computer. They also tend to lack controls for duration, slide movement and special effects. These types of productions are great for viewing digital photos in a nice way, but are not suitable for professional production work.

Digital Photo Albums - misc. questions

I have a special request for my slideshow. Will you work with me on this?
Sure! We strive to meet every request of our customers and will do everything possible to customize your slideshow for you. If you have specific requests or requirements, please contact us prior to project submission so we can figure it out.

Can I create chapters in my DVD so I can jump to different sections of the slideshow?
Yes. This is our Scenes Selection option. You may add up to 8 customized chapter stops of your choice on the DVD, and your DVD will be outfitted with a scenes menu as well. When you select to watch a particular chapter from the Scenes Selection menu, only the photos and music in that chapter will play.

Can I see my picture DVD before getting my finished DVD?
Yes, but please ask us in advance because extra production time will need to be budgeted into your project. Most people have a limited timeframe for slideshow production, so it is often not possible to work a preview in. If we have enough time to set it up, a preview of your show will be made available online. If you desire to make extensive adjustments to instructions that you originally gave us, editing fees may apply. Please note that unlike many companies we do not require an extra fee for this service, only additional time.

Will my DVD play in both my DVD player and computer?
Yes. Your DVD slideshow will be playable on a DVD player, just like a DVD movie you would buy. It will also play on any laptop or computer that has a DVD drive and software. See our Compatibility FAQ for additional information.

Do the photos in the slideshow have to clicked forward manually?
No. The slideshow is just like a short movie and plays straight through from beginning to end. If you want to look at a particular photo longer, just hit the pause button during playback.

Will the slideshow play full screen on my TV?
Yes. The slideshow is sized to a resolution of 720x480 pixels, just like every DVD movie.

Can I add to the slideshow at a later date?
Yes. But please understand that when you receive a slideshow DVD, it is "finished." To make additions, we have to go back to the original video project files and redo the DVD from scratch. Therefore, if you wish to alter a completed DVD, there will be a $20 remastering fee, plus the additional charges of the work involved and return shipping.

Do you do funeral or memorial video slideshows?
No, this is the one type of slideshow we do not offer, because most funeral and memorial slideshows need to be completed within a few days. Our work schedule, which is often tightly scheduled with video projects, doesn't allow for quick turnaround of slideshows.

Can I get my slideshow on VHS tape or other video tape?
No. Due to lack of demand, Timeless DVD no longer offers VHS production. VHS is a dying technology, and a VHS tape costs more to produce, both in materials and time, than a DVD. With DVD players in the $30-$50 range, we advise simply purchasing a DVD player if you currently only have a VCR.

The DVD format uses digital technology so the information delivered is exactly the information recorded, with no quality loss. In addition, DVD supports higher image resolutions, resulting in a crisp, clear image with none of the fuzziness present in videotape. Slideshows simply look much better when delivered on DVD. Finally, there is no deterioration with repeated use, and DVD discs possess a longer lifespan than tape.

Can you make the slideshow in PAL format instead of NTSC?
No, this is not a service we currently offer. All of our video work is done in the NTSC standard.

Do you offer high-definition slideshows on Blu-Ray disc?
No, this is not a service we currently offer, although we will be adding transfers to Blu-Ray for HD video in the future. Slideshows may follow soon after.

What program do you use to create your slideshows?
Almost anyone can purchase just one program and create an ordinary slideshow. But we do not use just one program to create slideshows. Professionals use a variety of professional software for slideshow video production, since one single program does not contain the flexibility for every job needed in a slideshow. Using multiple software packages allow professional video editors the greatest flexibility to customize and personalize each project.

We use Photodex Producer for most slide work (Ken Burns effect, special effects, etc.) The slideshow is then compiled with Final Cut Pro, and all audio editing work is done either in Final Cut or Apple Soundtrack. All photo editing work is done in Adobe Photoshop. However, we do possess other programs that we use in addition to these as the work warrants.