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I am coming in a bit late to this thread but just want to add 'me too! In the last few months I finally managed to put together a family '2017 Memories' audio visual (1.55GB). It runs for around 14 minutes, includes quite a number of (converted) video clips and runs perfectly on my Desktop that has quite a wide variety of programs installed. However, with all the family coming round just before Christmas, I was going to play the exe file on the laptop and connected to the tv so all could watch. Fortunately I tested it beforehand, just on the laptop, and with the opening couple of videos within the a/v playing jerky, just gave it up as a bad job until reading this thread and so the 'me too!' comment. I have just checked it again and all in all, only 3 of the 14 video clips in my 2017 Memories a/v appear to play okay - 11 are really jerky. Don't know if it is relevant but as part of this check, I then played on the laptop an audio visual (333MB) I put together at the beginning of 2016, probably with V8 if that makes any difference. At the end of this 2016 a/v there are two video clips and each seems to play smoothly. In light of this, perhaps I should be checking all my audio visuals that contain video on the laptop to see if it is size of the file that makes the difference. The only programs on the laptop are Norton, Malwarebytes and Skype but then they are also on the Desktop. I should add that, subject to a last minute check, I have an appointment with a Surgeon on 2nd January so it is highly unlikely I will be able to respond further for several weeks. All I wanted to do at this stage was to add that it happened to me as well. George

No, I am okay with both Norton and Malwarebytes, the latter program is not an Anti-Virus one, and fingers crossed, provides another defence barrier. I just mentioned everything that I did to resolve my issue as thought it may help someone else at some stage in the future. Although I guess we'll never know, but my guess is something in the PC Cleaning process somehow resolved the issue. George

Igor, Thankyou for looking at my issues although what has happened in the last 24 hours it looks like I have wasted your time for which I apologise. First though your questions, in case a similar issue arises with someone else. 1) No I do not assign a custom icon. 2) I have both Norton 360 Premier, and Malwarebytes Premium installed and have done so for a number of years. I have found the only slight problem with either is when I download someone else's Exe file and it normally tries to quarantine the file. 3) My programs are kept on the SSD within my Desktop and all Documents, Music & Photos are on the intermal 2Tb hard drive partition. In the last 24 hours I decided to action my monthly back-up and then follow up with my clean-up check routine of my Desktop. What solved my issues, I don't know, so just detail what I did as it might help others. First I ran a Full Scan with Norton. Then I ran a Full Scan with Malwarebytes. Some years ago I decided to have a paid for program to run a system clean scan, Magix PC Check & Tuning is my program, and have had no problems with it so have kept with it. I then ran that program and actioned all the clean-ups suggested. After doing all this I looked to answer your questions. First I ran an Exe that I had put together a few months back (434Mb) and that started running in about 3 seconds. I than ran the Problem Exe file (just 186Mb) that I had just created so could compare start timings, and this time it started in ........................ 3 seconds. Wow! Also there were no problems with any video or audio playback. I then went back to P2E, re-adjusted the timings to match the audio, exported, and again no problems with the Exe file. So somewhere, between these three programs my issues have been solved. Obviously it seems that there was something on my computer that was creating my problems. So thankyou Lin and Igor for your help and suggestions. And the Forum which keeps us all in touch, Thankyou George

Lin I have been making progress and it seems inserting an extra Slide after the Rubiks Cube solved one issue. And now I am slowly working through the remainder, having to adjust timings accordingly. Trouble is that whilst the Project plays perfectly within P2E, when I produce an Exe file and then check the playback, I see issues that are not there when playing back within P2E and so back to the drawing board. I am now up to Exe File No 9 and still I have outstanding issues to resolve. Oddly enough, I have an issue with Slides 46 - 49 and the only animation is in Slide 49. In the first Version, Slides 46 & 47 were 7 seconds but Slide 47 seemed to get stuck, hence I have now reduced the timings but still something is wrong. Think it will be one of those 'sleep on' times, for as you maybe able to see in the screenshot, when I click on Slide 47, it is the next Slide that is appearing in the screen. Might be easier to remove them and start again methinks but that will be for another day. I downloaded your Experiment zip, and despite having to go through the Windows and Anti-Virus warnings, it took us about 17-20 seconds from first clicking on it for it to run. Now my Exe file for which I do not have them warnings and so should start reasonably quickly, it has taken around 50 - 60 seconds before I finally get a black screen, and then, still seeing the little wheel whirring round, it is another 30 seconds, so around 80 - 90 seconds after first clicking on the Exe file that it starts to play. I am running Windows 10 and timed the start up of my Exe file on six occasions. Oh and by the way, the only thing I had opened on the Computer was this Winsoft Forum page. George

Lin I have just run the test, and think, the report is attached. This computer, a Desktop model, I had built around 18months ago. I do also, normally once a month, do a check to make sure all Drivers are up todate. Having now slept on the issue, within my Project and like the one I later resolved by putting an extra Slide between the Infinity Mirror and the Rubiks Cube Styles, I just wondered whether a similar issue was somewhere in the background between the Rubiks Cube Style and the next Slide, which happens to be a map of the London Underground and a train going round to show where we went that day. Just wonder whether that was having a knock on effect. I'll test that out later today. I should add, in case it is relevant, that I did cut down the time allowed for the Rubik's rotation. The idea being that it showed places we could visit and was like a dice revolving whilst the boys made their mind up as to where they would like to go. Well that was the idea. George DxDiag Sept 2017.txt

Over the years I have completed a number of personal family memory audio visuals without any problems, but today, for the first time ever I have suddenly experienced a number of issues when playing back the Exe file (for PC). And can't think why. This new project was to provide permanent memories of a recent grandchildren visit. Within the Project File, my latest project plays well, so I had no inkling of subsequent problems that would be experienced in playback of the Exe version. However for some reason, after exporting and watching the Exe File version, I've immediately noticed the following …. the Exe file seems to take literally ages to start to play (it has 75 slides & size is 184MB. In order to compare to see if it was anything to do with the size of file, I did then re-visit a larger Exe Project completed a few months back that is 434MB in size and that does not seem to take so long to start, nor any problems on Exe playback.) fourth Slide in this new show, in which I used the Rubiks Cube Style, the Rubiks Cube does not complete it’s rotating in the Exe playback, it sticks near to the end of the rotation for several seconds. In the Project File there is no such problem. the first video in the Exe version playing starts off juddery. At least one other is not that great. (All video, I believe, has been converted, but in this Project, they have all been added via the O&A tab although I assume that would not make a difference.) Again, in the Project file playback there is no such problem. the audio jumps in a number of places in the Exe playback. (I imported an MP3 file, the same process as in all previous Exe projects.) Again in the Project file there is no problem with the audio. in another section, again in the Exe playback, a slide with no animation, sticks, meaning that the subsequent slide that should have movement in it, does not, and seemingly subsequent slides are quite abrupt. P2E version is 9.0.12 and am using Windows 10. Incidentally I also had a problem on first export to an Exe file in this same Project after making use of the Infinity Mirror Style (just posted on the Forum). My sequence went straight from that to the Rubiks Cube Style but on Exe playback I had a period where most of the screen was blacked out. Go back to the Project, insert another Title slide between The Infinity Mirror and Rubiks Cube, re-Export and problem was cured. As a result I wonder whether something similar I've done is causing the above issues. Where should I be looking? George

Yes I agree that the converted file does have the suffix 'converted' added but that seems to be at the end of the file name (and probably then my fault, mine have a long header so that I knew what was what and where I want to use it) and it appears I have to 'right click' and go into File Information to find which is which. Gary, and there is me thinking of organising my video clips after just using one video with two files, and there is you with four. But then the more video clips that one may use, in your case you are multiplying up each one by four. Some while ago, and learning from old mistakes, I utilised Barry Beckham's advice and within each Project Folder, I have sub folders, adapted over the years - and for me these are now a) Images for Show, b) Layered Files, c) Movie Images, d) Potential Images, e) Project & Exe and f) Sound Files. So I then move all potential images that I will use into either the Potential or Movie Folder. This means that everything is together just in case I wish to re-visit at some stage in the future. Whilst I don't go through the same process as Gary, I do have another program through which I actually edit Video Clips, maybe merge and also am just watching a tutorial on using a plug-in so that I can use fade in/fade out styles when I join up two video clips. Of course I save work in progress to this same Movie Folder which means the folder gets larger and larger. George

I’d like to ask what are two probably simple questions re the adding of video clips. For the first time I think, I have just added video via the O&A tab. I knew video has to be converted but according to the Manual that I checked after adding the clip, it seems that this can only be done via the File List (and so before insertion) or the Slide List – something I have normally done in the past and thus the video clip, already added to one's Project, is converted. Although then what happens in the conversion process has probably happened to me before it is not something I would have noticed, as removing the video from O&A in order to convert, after conversion in my File List I see I now have two video clips, and so have to check which is the converted one and make sure I add the right one back into the Project. Okay if you add just one clip perhaps but even then I had to scroll to the right to see which one had been converted. So how do others organise their Project File for video insertion? Do you have two Video Folders within the Project Folder, one in which has the original video clip, and the second in which, after changing the destination folder before conversion, all converted video clips are stored here for use? Presumably that is possible? If I then use a number of video clips and perhaps forget and do not convert them straight away, is there any way of telling if they have all been converted? And then what is the effect on playback after exporting to an Exe File if one or more video clip were not converted? Guess if I organise myself as suggested in Point One, then I should know if I have converted all video clips used? Any other thoughts please? George

Ahh, a trip down Memory Lane. Though not actually relevant to your actual question, I did something similar to your project the other year. However before showing some photos from our wedding, I first showed some of the things that were happening in the year we got married. Here in the UK, Junctions 1 - 4 of the M4 motorway were opened (the English section of this motorway was not completed for another six years), the 70mph limit on our Motorways was introduced, and on the railways we had 1,071 miles of track torn up. Hanging for murder was initially temporarily introduced and we had a Bread Strike. Oh and The Beatles played to 56,000 fans in New York's Shea Stadium. I included other news items that I thought would be of interest to family and for a soundtrack used music that were in the Charts in that year, edited so that I had around 40 seconds of each track then segued into the next. Rather than just leaving those old photos gathering dust in an album somewhere, putting together audio visuals highlighting some of those old memories is on my 'to do' list. I just need that kick-start to get going. George

Lin Brilliant for that explanation. Think the penny has finally dropped. Sorry about being such a dummy! George

Lin, Yes I understand about the instructions and have watched your actual Video Tutorial on the use of the Style that has definitely helped me. But sorry for being really thick about this but regret to say I still need help and clarification. So for those first three images then, I should be using images that I have first selectively cropped to 1500 x 1000? Must also though add a thankyou for the reference to Dave's Album Style that I will be checking out. George

Whilst, I think, I do now finally have a basic understanding of Aspect Ratio, putting together a/v's for family pleasure, it is something that I have never really worried about. I use whatever is the default setting in P2E and the resultant exe file plays okay so seemingly no real problem. However I have started thinking about it again as I want to use Lin's excellent Wedding Style (available on this website) for a belated Wedding Book for our son's wedding when the memories of the day came in prints and so now are tucked away in drawers somewhere. Just thought it would be something different for their coming Anniversary. I have therefore now scanned these photos and those of a landscape size range between 2528 x 1414 - 2158 x 1422. As LIn's Style is in 3:2 Aspect Ratio, should I then also be cropping these images to say 1500 x 1000, which I think is a 3:2 ratio? Is this important? George

Lin I should add that it was all as a result of your 'What Can I Do with PicturesTo Exe?' video that I was reminded of what I should be thinking about. I have just watched it again and thinking about it, like I try a do a monthly back-up of my files, at the same time I must rewatch this video regularly to push me to develop further. When's the sequel coming out? George

Lin, Once again, many thanks. Well I never thought I'd see my name circling Jupiter, so brilliant. My first attempt. George

Thankyou for that link. Watching it I realised that I had seen it on the Forum. Funny really, you feature curved text but it was only when Lin put the 'What I Can Do with P2E' video together that for me a penny dropped and I made a connection with old BBC Newsreels. Okay my slideshows are only for family but I like to think that each one is a little better than the last and with monitoring what is being said on the Forum and making more use of the 'Dummies' tutorials, I am keeping those grey cells active. George

Dave Thankyou also for that extra tip. Will put that in 'My Slide Style Tips' folder. George

Dave Thanks for the clarification. In mid project at the moment so will wait for the official release. However I guess one learning point immediately from this is that any Slide Styles I have added (not created myself though) in Version 8 will no longer work when using Version 9? George

Lin. Certainly no rush. Dave Just tried to add that style but got the message in P2E that 'I cannot import the file. It is either damaged or created with a newer version' although just checked I am using 8.0.22 George

Lin, Wow! Thankyou. I only put together a/v's for family but this, for me, is a timely reminder of what I can be doing to improve and avoid sameness appearing. Two questions though please. Whilst no doubt all the techniques are found within tutorials on the Forum, there were two that you showed that I would like to view and so am not sure what I should be looking for - 1) The fly walking over the revolving globe, and 2) right at the end with 'Pictures"Exe' words revolving around the globe. Obviously they are special techniques but what, please? That latter one with the words revolving around the globe I thought would be perfect intro for a look back at past year family memories. I guess, and to show my age, it does remind us of years back in the UK the BBC News use to start with a picture of it's transmitter with the words 'BBC News' revolving around. Memories! Thankyou again George

Lin That is absolutely superb and for me has come along at the right time. Brilliant. Definitely NOT a wedding photographer, our children had got married several years ago and I had in the back of my mind of trying to put together an audio visual of those photos that are stuck in folders or albums at the bottom of the cupboard somewhere. Didn't want to use just a photo album style and this, for me, has come along at the right time and with that new slant. Many many thanks George

DG Although Craig started this post, just want to say thankyou DG for that link. Another idea to consider. George

I'm more with the 'wideangle' comments on this one as to the type of User I am. However, in contrast, I now do not export to DVD. I stopped this a few years back after experiencing on a number of plays that the actual disc (named brands) started sticking and so felt frustrated at all the time and effort that had gone into the project. That was also in my early days when I did not save the actual project file and so could have re-exported. Two lessons I learnt, don't export to DVD and save the folder. George

Craig, This is something that I actually have had on my ‘to do’ list for some time. I guess I just need the inspiration and do have a look at the Forum from time to time to seek any ideas. My thoughts though are not to depict the (current) family tree but more on the angle of life, say in the 40’s & 50’s that I can then interweave with a few family photos taken (on the old box camera) by my parents into a story. My thought process was that I would then be leaving behind for future generations actual stories and memories on what life was like. As an example, this time last year I did actually put together a ‘Timeline’ audio visual after my mother-in-law passed away with the aim of showing it at the funeral. It only covered her first 20 years and only had a few family photos (that’s all there were), but I interspersed it with information on important events that had happened during that period, eg her brothers/sisters, front pages of papers the day she was born, some old adverts, and some facts. Incredible perhaps to read now but like, she was 6yrs old when women over 21yrs were given the vote, or, 6yrs old when the minimum age for marriage went up to 16years – it had been 14yrs for a boy and 12 years for a girl. Something I hoped would give it more appeal and show what life must have been like. Okay it won’t win any prizes but there were a few tears shed by family watching it and like to think something left for the family to view in the years to come. to remember! Hope that helps. Still looking for my next inspiration. George

Thankyou DG for that response and pointer to the Manual. X2

Brilliant. So it looks like just wait for P2E 9 as when it comes along I will be able to add/ rename a category and then also add a brief description as to what the slide will do.