Cool Gift Idea

I have only used Media Show 3, so I will explain how easy that version is. After seeing the additional features available on Version 4, I plan on upgrading very soon.

CyberLink Media Show 3 allows you to import pictures from your PC, CD, DVD, and/or Thumb drive. Just about any device you can connect to your PC that stores data, images, video or audio files. It supports the following types of files:

Video files - AVI, DAT (MPEG-1), MPE, MPEG, and MPG.
Image files - BMP, JFF, JPE, JPEG, JPG, JTF, PCD, PCT, PCX, PNG, TGA, and WMF
Audio Files - MIDI, MP3, and WAV
Other - PPT

The first step to creating your media show is to import the files you will need. They will display in the top portion of your media show screen. Once they are imported, drag them to the "film strip" at the bottom of the screen in the order you want to display them. Once you have your pictures in the "film strip", it's time to add some enhancements. You have the option to add transition effects, text and text effects, music or sounds, and picture masking. You can even edit your pictures from within this program. All this can be done by selecting the picture from the "film strip" and selecting the effect(s) you want to apply.

You can set the time between frames in the transition effects option along with how the picture will appear on the screen, such as grand opening, fade, box in, blur, collapse and many more. Well over 50 transitions to choose from.

There's an audio recorder that will allow you to record narrative to go along with the slide show, or record music that isn't in a supported file type.

CyberLink Media Show also has very informative help screens that will show you step by step how to set up your media show.

You do not have to have media show to view a show that was created. Just save it to a CD or DVD and share it with a friend. Version 4 also offers 3-click DVD software authoring allowing you to add stylish menus and burn your photos and videos to DVDs, 10 DVD software menu templates, ability to upload photos to Flickr, and the ability to upload videos easily to You Tube.

I have owned the product for 3 years now and use it quite often. I never had to contact them with any problems until just recently, when I bought a new laptop that has the Windows Vista Operating System. My old PC had Windows XP. When I tried installing the Media Show software, I ran into some problems. The version I bought back in 2006 was not compatible with Windows Vista. I thought for sure I would have to purchase an upgraded version.

I went on their website to find the contact information. It was on a Sunday night so I used their online customer support. First, I searched through their FAQ's trying to find someone else who may have experienced the same error when installing on Window's Vista. I couldn't find anything that was even close. (Everyone else is probably on Version 4 by now...) So, I filled out their online form explaining the situation and sent it in. It was probably about 9:00 at night. I didn't really expect to hear back from them for a few days. When I got home from work the next day and checked my email, there was a response from CyberLink. It was sent around noon on that Monday. While I fully expected them to tell me I would have to upgrade to version 4 if I wanted to use the product with Windows Vista, I went to their website, where they store all purchases and history of customer support issues I had submitted (though this was my first) to view their response.

They gave me a link to download a version of media show 3 that was compatible with Windows Vista at no cost to me. And, they responded in less then 24 hours!! I don't know about you, but I have dealt with a lot of software companies that take forever to get back with you when you have a problem with their product. They gave me step by step instructions on how to download and install the product along with the new activation key. Not once did they suggest I upgrade to their new version. No sales pitch. No hassles. Just a speedy response and solution to my problem.

You might say, how can I say they have great customer service when I've only reported one problem? Well, maybe I can't. But I think it's great that I've been using their product for 3 years and have had no reason to have to contact them, and, when I did have a reason, they responded so quickly and didn't give me the run-a-round.

Media Shows can be used for a number of things, including You Tube videos. But they make great gift ideas too. I've used media show for a couple other retirement gifts and they were always a hit. But, one of the best shows I have made so far was for my father on father's day. I created a media show that contained pictures that started with his wedding to my mother. I included pictures of all my brothers, sisters and myself from birth through the year I created the show. I include all of the grandchildren. I selected country music about fathers. (He is a country music fan) The whole show lasted just over 30 minutes, and even though I was not there when he viewed it, as he lives 600 miles from me, I was told by my sisters and mother that he just loved it. It even brought tears to his eyes. I made copies for everyone in the family.

That one did take quite a bit of time to put together, but it was worth it. I also put a media show together of my son's life from birth until his high school graduation. I included not only family members, but also his friends and teachers, report cards, pictures of his awards and achievements. I used songs about growing up, dreams, and such. Some my favorites and some of his. It was a trip down memory lane I wanted to take the year he graduated high school. He also thought it was great.

CyberLink Media Show gives everyone another unique way to share memories. Use your imagination and create something fun and wonderful.

• Media Management Interface


• Personalized entry screen


• 3D "liquid" user interface


• Super-fast responsiveness


• Real-time skin change


• Thumbnails resizing


• Thumbnails resizing animation


• Scroll through your photos



• Import your Videos and Photos


• Import videos from DV


• Import videos/photos from digital cameras and mobile phones


• Import videos/photos from specific folders


• Import videos/photos from CD and DVD



• NEW: Manage & Enhance Your Videos


• Find videos immediately using tags, time and description


• Add tags and descriptions


• 1-click enhancing tools-include-stabilize shaky videos, auto lighting, auto effects
  


• Real-time preview during editing


• Zoom into videos in continuous scale


• Apply movie themes to your videos


• Undo all changes with one click


• Mark favorite videos with a star



• Manage & Enhance Your Photos


• Find photos immediately using tags, time and description


• Add tags and descriptions


• 1-click enhancing tools, including auto fix photos, auto adjust white balance, auto adjust colors, auto remove red eyes, add filter effects


• Zoom into photos in continuous scale


• Mark favorite photos with a star


• Slideshow styles


• Create slideshow movies


• Loop slideshow


• Compare before and after on one screen


• Share Your Videos and Photos


• 3-click DVD software authoring: add stylish menus and burn your photos and videos to DVDs


• Upload photos to Flickr


• Upload videos to YouTube


• Turn photo slideshows into screensaver