Installation and updates:
The installation of approximately 90 MB file went smoothly on my Windows 8.1 system. When you first start entered the registration number and off you go.
The check whether updates are available, takes place within the program. If necessary, the newer version will be downloaded and installed the same.
Documentation:
In addition to a manual in PDF format, it is also a classic help file index and search function. If you have problems you can provide the support directly from the program, a question that is then sent by e-mail along with a hard copy and Program and System Information. This really solved well and in my experience you get an answer within a maximum of 2 working days. But a remote assistance also is possible - I have not yet needed.
Very useful is also the forum on the Internet, which is actively used by the users and moderated by the support. Requests in the forum are very quickly and competently answered either by dedicated users or support personnel. As other manufacturers can truly abgucken something else!
Service:
Once you have understood the basic screen layout with menu and button bar, toolbox and timeline (no big difference with previous versions), one should look at the included sample files in detail. On the one hand you can learn something about the scope of the slide show and the other on the type of implementation. The manual is needed only in case of an emergency, because the operation intuitive and the functions are self-explanatory. I especially liked the many wizards (eg burning to CD or converting the HD video) which are mainly on the issue of the slideshow to use.
Functionality:
Informs you about the functions best on the manufacturer's website. I do not want to ruminate in all details here. As with all powerful programs only a few functions are often used permanently. This went on for me so far that way. I am not a fan of playful image transitions. I meet fade to black and alpha blending (or hide with appropriate speed). I attach great importance to ensuring that the timing between picture and sound is absolutely precise and as the slide show does not make a mistake. Using the timeline (timeline) are exactly aligned picture and sound. If something goes not work as desired, often helps the function check for faults on.
Furthermore, should the result, so the slide show, be able to run on as many devices. And there does not disappoint the slideshow. You can generate a video file in a variety of formats or burn directly to CD or DVD using a wizard. But even a self-running slide show is possible that will be copied easily and automatically to a USB stick and on other PCs on which the slideshow is not installed, is playable. I have my show converted DVD video, HD video file, and as a self-running slide show and tried in the DVD player, the media player and on multiple computers. Perfectly.
Stability:
The program runs on my Windows 8.1 system stable and has so far never once crashed. Only the sporadic script error messages that have not yet affected the functionality, I am not yet come to the track.
Conclusion:
The new slideshow liked me right away. Within a short time succeed appealing presentations that can be viewed easily on other PCs or on TV. However, many design options make the program unnecessarily confusing. Here I wish some modifications on and off of individual image objects. Snowflakes, confetti and animated clouds I need but rarely ...
