Technology lessons, guides, rubrics and DVD yearbook how-to’s for grades K-8 by David Hall
	Photo Story Versus Windows Movie Maker
Today there are dozens, if not hundreds, of slide show formats. Unfortunately, no format is 100% compatible with all computers. Probably the most common and compatible format is Windows Media Video (WMV). By default, this format will play in Windows Media Player, which is a standard Windows program. Like any program, Windows Media Player must be updated on occasion to play current files. Windows Media Video files will also play in dozens of other media players. The IHM DVD Yearbook operates just like a website. Users must have an up-to-date web browser and media player. Windows Movie Maker is a standard Windows program that is very easy to use and can make great Windows Media Video movies. It also can be used to make slideshows in the Windows Media Video format. Slideshows made in Windows Movie Maker, unfortunately, have a relatively large file size and typically have disappointing image quality. Fortunately, Microsoft offers a free slideshow program called Photo Story that creates slideshows that have noticeably better image quality and about half the file size of a slideshow made in Windows Movie Maker. Photo Story is available for Windows computers only.
To compare the two programs I chose 30 photos that were placed in one folder. The total size of this folder was 48 MB. In each program I then created slideshows using all 30 photos with the picture duration set to five seconds. In each program I published (produced) files with a screen width of 320 pixels and 640 pixels. Photo Story also has a 1024 width option. A medium sized screen resolution is 1280 pixels wide, so a 640 movie will be exactly one half the width of a typical monitor (such as those in our computer lab). Windows Media Player can play smaller movies “full screen” (key F11). To compare the image quality of the various files I expanded the player to full screen, took a screenshot, and then cropped the image to a width of 640 so that it would fit onto this page. Check out the results:
Made with Windows Movie Maker 640 resolution – VHS quality 2 minutes 31 seconds Slideshow includes transitions, zooms and pans. 18.9 MB file size Note the poor image quality when blown up to full screen. Note the color distortion; my jacket shows a tint of orange instead of a true yellow. Note the large file size.
Made with Photo Story 640 resolution – Computer quality 2 minutes 30 seconds Slideshow includes transitions, zooms and pans. 8.8 MB file size Photo Story created a file that is half the size while retaining better image sharpness and truer colors.
Made with Windows Movie Maker 640 resolution – VHS quality 2 minutes 30 seconds Slideshow DOES NOT include transitions, zooms or pans. 8.9 MB file size Windows Movie Maker can do a decent job with slideshows if you do not use zooms, pans, effects or transitions. This screenshot is as sharp as the one taken from the Photo Story file; the color is still slightly off, however. File size is nearly the same.
Made with Photo Story 1024 resolution – Computer quality 2 minutes 30 seconds Slideshow includes transitions, zooms and pans. 19.8 MB file size 1024 resolution nearly doubled the file size, but the image quality is very good compared to any of the 640 resolution files. Compare the split screenshot image below; Windows Movie Maker on the left and Photo Story on the right. Both files are roughly the same file size! Windows Movie Maker Photo Story
Additional notes: * Photo Story can generate music to accompany your slide show; this is a great way to include music without infringing on copyrights! The music is less cheesy than I expected. (In the case of this project, music added about 2.8 MB to the file size.) * By default, Photo Story includes random transitions, pans and zooms. Removing or changing transitions and pans/zooms must be done photo by photo. * By default, Windows Movie Maker does not include transitions, pans and zooms. Adding transitions and pans/zooms must be done photo by photo. * Photo Story project files include copies of all included photos. This makes it easy to start a project on one computer and finish it on another. The file size of the project file may become huge, however. (48.8 MB in this case) * Windows Movie Maker project files link to the original files on your computer/network. This makes it nearly impossible to start a project on one computer and finish it on another. You also cannot rename, move or delete any of the files or folders involved in the project without “breaking” the project. The file size of the project file will remain very small, however. (0.2 MB in this case) * In both cases, a project file is the working file that is used to produce the final .wmv file. * I didn’t find any indication from Microsoft that Photo Story 3 will work on Vista operating systems. It does, however, work perfectly on both my home and work Vista PCs. * Download Photo Story 3 from Cnet/download.com