Hey DJ,
There was talk of a ShowIt Web - but for DVD? Showit Web DVD I guess. Is this something that is being worked on at the moment, cause it's something that I, and a heap of other photographers on here could use?

I love the ShowIt Web style (so much that I'm helping Todd out with it), iMovie just doesn't cut it, and going to Final Cut Xpress or Pro is too time consuming for something that ShowIt Web does so quickly and so well.

Any sneaks, spoilers or previews?

Cheers,

hey nathan-

there was talk of it by DJ awhile back, i've been dying to know as well if there is any progress and when it will release. I have clients would love to buy a dvd of their sideshow!

I know - I've been waiting with baited breath! It's a great additional sale, I know there are heaps of people happy with the web version - but there a massive amount of my clients have large plasma/LCD TV's and want to show off their images on this large canvas.

Anyway - the wait continues!

Cheers...

absolutely 0- bring it on!! Can't wait for the DVD version. I've sold a DVD version of almost every one of the slideshows we do - when the client see it they want it! But doing it in Pro Show Producer is time consuming and it never is EXACTLY like the slideshow which is what they want. They dont want you to tweak and and make it better - they want to see what they have been seeing all along.

So to get a DVD out of the slideshow will tremendously streamline my workflow.

so DJ, when will 2.5 be out? I know everyone is asking...

Hey Mark,
I'm not sure 2.5 will fit the bill in relation to DVD's to be honest... but you never know!

Cheers, Nathan

I have found that a very good alternative that it is less time consuming that FinalCut Xpress and work well with DVD is Fotomagico. I downloaded the trial and must say that I am impress with it. And the price is right... $79.00. It does all sort of video formats, incluing HD.

SIW is excellent for the web but the only way to "translate" it for DVd is through a screen capture and the final quality is not that great. I know DJ will offer a SIW to DVD service and that could be a route also. So check it out.

That's what I've been trying to tell everyone that needs a great program for producing everything from web shows to iPod to DVD output for regular and HD high definition 1080P play. I may be biased because of my connection with them but FotoMagico is an awesome program. The man that writes the software also created the software for
Sinar, the most prestigious and best large format camera system in the world.

I'd like to add the information below for those that are interested in the program. You can purchase the software for only $79 direct oiff their site or through my link below. For those that really want to get up and running fast I'd suggest getting the $99 version with the seven tutorials that I created. Lots of tips and techniques there. I only receive a small distribution fee if purchased through my link.

Here's the latest info:

I just returned from Macworld. Had a blast and saw lots of new, cool stuff. I left with a big stack of literature to wade through!

Many of you know that I have been helping Boinx Software of Germany to market their excellent FotoMagico slideshow program here in the states. The program produces high definition shows for all applications; from the web to iPod to DVD play on regular and up to high definition HD 1080P televisions. Unlike other software it does not reduce the resolution of the images upon import to create the web show but rather uses full resolution images and customizes the best resolution size on export depending on your selected application. In that way your created show can be used for everything from the web to DVDs with no quality loss.

I love the program and my clients love the shows.

Part of my purpose to be at MacWorld was to meet with the folks from Boinx. We discussed many topics, some I cannot mention yet, but one topic I do want to let everyone know about.

There has been some considerable interest among photographers on a few forums and in emails to me for FotoMagico. Because of that I wanted to let everyone know that Boinx is in the final stages of discussion with Apple and it looks like the software will be sold in Apple stores soon! There are other retail agreements in the works for other stores. This is taking the product national big time.

So, big deal, who cares? Well, in product marketing Boinx is going from an exclusive direct sale to the end user channel to selling through a multi-tier channel through retail to the end user. This will add two new levels (US distributor and retailer) and other added costs (packaging) and will require an increase in the retail price for the software. Like at all other software suppliers such as Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, etc. the selling price once it hits the stores will be the same price if you order direct from the manufacturer.

FotoMagico will be displaying a booth at PMA in early March to recruit more retail channels. I will be there helping. If you are going please drop by and say hi.

The current retail price is $79 ($99 with my tutorials) and there was talk in my meeting of the price having to be raised to accommodate the retail sales chain. Numbers from $129 to $149 were mentioned but nothing is decided yet, could be more or less. They will also be using my services to demo the product and including my "quick start" tutorial series in the retail versions.

This will all start happening either later this month with the roll out of their new ver. 2 product (a free upgrade for those with the current ver. 1) or in early February. Get in now and you will get the current price in case the price is raised with the release of ver. 2.0. You will receive ver. 2.0 as a free upgrade!

If you want further information on FotoMagico you can find it on a link on my site:

http://www.rickrosen.com/fm

There you can see some of my web slideshows and links to their site to get more info and download their demo. There are also links there to purchase the full use license, either with or without the seven tutorials I created to help photographers get started making money with slideshows fast.

If I can answer any questions please feel free to PM or email.

Incidentally, FotoMagico is for Mac OS-X and Universal only, no Windows. Sorry.

All the best,

Rick

Hey Rick, congratulations on being part of all that, I know you've put a lot of hard work into it. Good to see it panning out for you!

My testimonial:
I have Fotomagico and have made a few DVD slideshows with it and it works very well. Best program I've used so far (and I've tried quiet a few). Rick has also been very helpful in getting things set up.

Thanks again and best of luck with the retail debut!

As far as SIW to DVD goes, like everyone else I'm excited to see what DJ comes up with and how it will work. He said before it would be an outsource solution and they are in the process of setting up a DVD creation station where photographers can upload their shows and get a professional DVD pressed and returned (sorta like most of us do with albums already).

For now, I'm using IshowU to screen capture the Showit show and make it into a quicktime movie to put on iPod or DVD.

~Bill

Thanks Bill. I am pleased that you are enjoying the software. Always glad to help.

Rick

The DVD service is going to be pretty sweet once it's all setup. And the best part is that it doesn't require any more time than your original show! I know they're working hard on getting it setup and it'll be well worth it. We don't want any kinks in the system.