In DVD Architect, you can add a directory of non-DVD files. So you could put a slideshow or the original photos on the DVD that people can get to on their computers.

A mixed mode DVD would be the best media - and an archival type which is far better than temp media like usb stick for this purpose.

Produce a good Photodex ProsHow slide show - which can take the form of an autorun executable as a file sitting on the DVD/Rom.

But also import a good quality copy file in HDMpeg2 to VegasPro - then render out to DVD format for creation in DVDAPro.

Now both media will exist on one compact inexpensive mixed mode DVD for computer and set-top player.

Ahhhh, that might be the best solution. I wasn't aware of that. I presume I can provide a menu option for it so it can be accessed easily. That would work I think. Having something physical for them to hold I think is important to them so the DVD is still the best bet although so much is going online these days. It's just the way we old folks think. If I can hold it, it's real!!

A mixed mode DVD or Bu-ray disc consists of using the structure of the disc as a read only ROM disc that will have both computer executable files and DVD (or Blu-ray) video for a set-top player.

These parts of the disc reside in different data structures. You cannot intertwine them. So the set-top player side can have any kind of menu system you can build in DVDAPro. The computer side has several alternatives 1) just use an autoplay structure file to point to an executable ( Photodex can create this for you) - the file structures must lie at the root directory of the disc. If you use Photodex Proshow it can also build a menu structure of a simple sort inside of the executable. OR 2) If you want the computer user to be greeted with an executable menu structure - then use an autoplay menu builder like the one from Linasoft. This is what we call building a multi-media front-end to your disc.

I've authored dozens of these, and duplicated several thousand discs. These include several eulogy slide shows that were shown at the service and then distributed to family members.

I make a normal DVD, in DVD Architect, which contains the slide show and music. I then put a note on the DVD label (I use an inkjet printer to print directly onto the DVD) telling the person that if they put the DVD in their computer, they can access "high resolution" versions of the individual photos used in the slide show. Then, in DVD Architect, I add a similar note, on the main menu.

I take the VIDEO_TS folder, created in DVD Architect, and put that into Nero (or ImgBurn, if you prefer). I then add a PHOTOS folder, directly off the root, and put the original photos in that folder. If the music license allows, I create a MUSIC folder and put the original music in that folder. Finally, since most of these are quite short (< 15 minutes) I usually have space to put both an HD MP4 version into a folder, as well as an "iPhone" MP4 version.

I still have not had one single request for a Blu-Ray disc, and I've been shooting in HD since 2005, but I'm finding that people really like to have the version that will play on their portable devices.

Finally, if you do include the HD MP4 version, as I describe above, most people who know how to use a thumb drive also know how to copy that to a thumb drive and plug it into their TV set. So, as you can see, by using a DVD, you can cover just about all the bases with one single deliverable.

Thanks guys!! Really learned a lot today! I'll be trying this out for the 2 that are in process now.

I am presuming there is no real concern about people copying these programs, so I would be in favour of using USB drives for distribution. Every modern TV set these days has provision for directly inserting them and you do not have to have any form of player connected to the set. Same goes for computers, many are being built these days without optical drives, but they all have USB.

I you want to try and author copy-protected discs, then they would not be the way to go, but I reckon it won't be long before someone implements copy-protection for USB drives because they are a tempting vehicle for distribution.