I do a lot of video editing on the computer.  For simple tasks, I will use Windows’ Movie Maker.  It is included with XP and Vista, and it does a decent job for basic editing.  For more advanced editing, I like to use Cyberlink’s Power Director.  Power Director is one of the few multimedi commercial apps that I use on a regular basis.  With Power Director, I get over 100 types of transitions effects between clips, over 70 video effects, picture in picture video and images, multiple audio tracks, multiple video output options (ranging from MPEG II to YouTube), DVD Authoring, Slideshow Wizards, and various import options (from Camcorder / webcams to DVDs).  Click here to see a full list from Cyberlink’s Website.  If you are looking for more features than Windows Movie Maker, I definitely recommend checking out Power Director.

Tired of the plain old boring photo slideshows?  Try Animoto.com.

From Animoto’s Website …

“Animoto is a web application that produces MTV-style videos using the images and music you choose. Produced in a widescreen format, Animoto videos have the visual energy of a music video and the emotional impact of a movie trailer. Best of all, no two videos are ever the same. Ever.”

I have created several slideshows using Animoto.  Their website does 98% of the work for you.  All you have to do is:

1. Gather your images
2. Upload your images
3. Arrange the images
4. Add music (your own or use music provided on their site)
5. Compile
6. Download the slideshow, email it to someone, or embed on your site.

Animoto does the rest by analyzing the music and images to put together a very unique slideshow.