Submission Tips

Scanning Your Own Photos For Slideshows

You have two options for submitting your photos. You can either scan your own pictures, or you can send your physical prints to us... though we assume no responsibility for damage during shipping. If you are scanning your photos: 1. Thoroughly clean the scanner with a dry cloth before scanning. 2. Scan each photo and save it in JPG format. Save each picture with a corresponding number indicating the order that you would like it to appear in the video (e.g. 001.jpg, 002.jpg). 3. Send us a CD-R of your images or submit them as e-mail attachments. 4. It is important to scan at the correct resolution because low resolution files may appear blurry on your TV screen. Set the scanning resolution at 300 dpi if possible. 5. When e-mailing photos, you'll see a box asking you if you want to 'make all my pictures smaller'. Do not choose this option. Instead, choose 'keep original sizes'.

Sending Prints For Slideshows

1. We try to discourage numbering each photo chronologically in the order you want them to appear. It's time consuming and usually unnecessary. Just put them in groups according to which song you want in the background. If you must preserve an exact chronological order, please consult us first if possible. 2. Place your photos into Zip-lock bags containing a piece of scratch paper with the desired caption (if any) for each photo. 3. Your photos will be returned to you when your video album is shipped.

Slideshow Captions

Adding captions to your video album is a great way to make it entertaining and help the audience follow the story being told. In some cases, however, the song lyrics tell the story. Few if any captions are needed. To add captions to your video album: 1. Include a Word document or send an email with the photo numbers next to the caption. For example: Picture #005 - He always was a ham! 2. Do not write captions on the back of photos or in the filename of digital images. You may, as stated above, place hand-written captions in a zip-lock baggie with the corresponding photo. 3. Keep your captions short and to the point!

Hints For Choosing Slideshow Photos

1. Choose photos that evoke emotion. 2. Choose action shots when possible. 3. Choose close-ups rather than far away shots wherever you can. 4. Organize your photos along a 'time line'...(When They Were Kids, Just Married, Children of Their Own, etc.) or by theme .

Hints For Choosing Slideshow Music

1. The music you select will set the mood of your video album. Take time to really think about what song best fits the 'feel' of your video. 2. To avoid copyright issues, all "original artists" music is purchased by us through various sources on the web, or must be purchased and provided by the client. You must not use the final video for personal profit or gain. We rarely fail to locate the song of your choice. There is no extra charge for this service. Our professional music editors blend (cross-fade) all songs together to prevent any pauses in music within the video (as you would hear songs blend on the radio). This professional "cross-fading" is done to accomplish a seamless audio presentation throughout the entire video. Click here for a few unique song suggestions. A very brief and free registration is required to hear these music samples.

Sending Self-Made Videos For Transfer To DVD

Most video files are far too large to send via regular email. You can either put the file on a CD-R and ship it to us by regular ground mail, or email it to us using a free online service which makes it possible to send large files. Two large-file email services which have worked well for us are:

MegaUpload.com - Free service - Up to 500 megabytes

YouSendIt.com - Free service - Up to 100 megabytes

In the 'Send To' address line, use adamscss@mchsi.com.Send personal check, money order, or cashier's check for $19.95 plus $6.95 for shipping within the continental U.S. to:

ACSS , 2584 CR 600 East, Dewey, Illinois, 61840 - Please contact us for shipping costs if you live outside the contiguous 48 states. Price includes one custom DVD. Additional DVD's are $12.50 each.

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