Program

The project-independent Photostory deluxe settings can be found here. These settings are also global.

Playback

Audio playback

Driver selectionHere you can specify whether the Windows Wave driver or the DirectSound driver will be used for audio playback.

• WAV drivers are recommended if the CPU load is higher, as the larger buffers allow better handling of the load peaks (otherwise this would cause crackling).

• DirectSound is a component of DirectX and, if necessary, is installed together with Photostory deluxe. DirectSound has the advantage that the sound output (for all modern sound cards or onboard soundchips) can also be used by other programs open simultaneously.

Output device: Use this option to specify which sound card plays the wave audio objects. This is especially important if you have multiple sound cards installed on your computer.

Audio buffer size: Here you can specify the buffer size that should be used for playback of the entire arrangement or for previewing audio files in the Media Pool.

Arranger

Autoscroll during playback: If autoscroll is activated, the screen view automatically shifts when the playback marker reaches the right edge of the screen, which is useful for longer arrangements. You can select the size of the scrolling steps from either "Fast" (whole pages) or "Slow" (half pages).

Fast: If autoscroll is activated, the screen view automatically shifts when the playback cursor reaches the last quarter of the screen during playback.

Slow: If autoscroll is activated, the screen view automatically shifts when the playback cursor reaches the right edge of the screen during playback. This is particularly useful for longer disc projects

NOTE Scrolling requires constant recalculation of the screen view, which may lead to interrupted playback if the amount of system RAM is too low. If this happens, simply deactivate the autoscroll feature.

Path

Projects: The standard path for all movie projects (*.MPH)

Exports: The standard path for all file exports via the command "File" > "Export"

Audio import: The standard path for all imported (music) files.

Disc images: Specify the path for the folder where Disc Images: Photostory deluxe saves the temporary files required for creating a disc.

Downloads: Define a folder for storing all files downloaded via Photostory deluxe.

Image/Audio editor: Define .exe files for the external audio and image editor that should be launched in future.

Menu Editor: Determines the Menu Editor path, which can be started using the "Burn" interface.

Options

Video standard

Normally, the right video standard is set up automatically. PAL is used in Europe, while USA and Japan use NTSC.

Program interface

Activate touch optimization in the Storyboard: Automatically activates touch support when you connect a touch-enabled device. You can also deactivate this option to go back to using the mouse.

NOTE Note for using the mouse when touch support is activated: To drag and drop a clip into the Storyboard, you have to hold down the left mouse button until the photo is released from the series and can be moved.

Activate animations: Deactivate the animations to make working with the program more effective.

Reactivate dialogs: When newly installed, Photostory deluxe displays a number of confirmation queries in various parts of the program. Each of these can be switched off by clicking the small box at the bottom that says "Don't show this message again". To display these warning messages, select the "Reactivate dialogs" option.

Export

Automatic preview of export clips: If you export a Photostory as a video file, it will be played immediately after being created.

Import

Fade photos automatically with dissolves: When loading photos, they will automatically fade from one into the other using a dissolve effect.

Automatically create frame table during import: Sometimes, rebuilding a frame table can get rid of problems in certain MPEG files. For example, problems can arise if the navigation (positioning of the playback marker, transport) is bumpy or doesn't function at all. Normally, when loading MPEG video, a frame table is not created in order to speed up the loading process. If you do create one anyway, MPEG files are normally noticeably faster and easier to edit.

Image length: Adjust the default display duration for photos. This can be changed again at any time.

Other

Project setting "Cut to fit monitor automatically" affects videos: If this option is active, then videos will be cut to avoid black edges. The property "Cut to fit monitor automatically" must be activated for the project.

Preview images in the background: The update if the object display after move and zoom operations in the arranger is performed in the background in order to let you work smoothly.

Save project automatically: Set a a time interval of between 1 and 60 minutes for saving your work automatically.

Automatic preview when changing transition: When this option is activated, a short preview of the transition effect will be quickly played between the two objects you selected.

Send usage data to MAGIX: Anonymous data is sent to MAGIX for improving product quality. You can deactivate this option here if you prefer.

Device options

Playback

Video mode: Set up the playback mode here.

NOTE Photostory deluxe checks the corresponding properties when this mode is selected and resets it if necessary.

Video output to external device

Activate video playback: With this option, you can display the project window view on an additionally connected monitor. Without additional hardware, you can play a preview in any mode in order to see how the final material looks.

Turn off Windows AERO for smoother playback: Deactivate the Aero interface. Windows uses the classic interface instead. Deactivating the Aero design is recommended, especially for weaker PCs.