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How to Transfer Slides to Photos or a DVD

Before you can successfully transfer 35mm slides and photos to a DVD, you first need to convert them from their present form into a digital file that can be burned onto a DVD. DVDs with their 4.7GB storage capacity are a good way to archive your family photos and or slides. Converting slides and photos to digital files can be accomplished at home using a flatbed scanner. There are a number of flatbed scanners available, ranging in price from less than $100 to over $500 depending on the resolution and features you want for your scanner.

Things You'll Need

Computer with DVD burner
Flatbed scanner
Photos and/or slides to scan
Anti-static cloth
Blank DVD

Instructions

- 1
  Turn your computer and flatbed scanner on. Through the software that was included with the scanner that you have installed on your computer, select the type of media you are about to scan, whether it is slides or prints.
- 2
  Create folders inside your computer for your scanned images to be saved to, and identify these folders as the destination through the scanning software.
- 3
  Prep and arrange your photos and slides for scanning. If you have a large number of slides and photos to scan, now is probably a good time to decide on how you will archive them, either by date, event or subject. Prepare your pictures by gently cleaning them using a clean dry cloth. Traditional photo paper should not come in contact with any liquid or other cleaning chemical. Prep your slides by cleaning them with an anti-static cloth. This specially treated cleaning cloth will remove dust from your slides and help prevent dust from collecting on the slide during the scanning process.
- 4
  Place your pictures of slides either face down on the flatbed platen or insert them into the appropriate carrier if one was included with your scanner.
- 5
  Close the lid and commence the scan either by pressing the Start button on the front of the actual scanner or through the scanning software.
- 6
  Repeat the process for each slide and picture until all are scanned onto your computer. Remember to limit the size of the folder to which you are scanning to a maximum of 4.7GB so that the entire folder will fit on the DVD.
- 7
  Insert a blank DVD into your computer's DVD burner. A pop-up window will appear asking what you want to do. Select "Copy to DVD." This will open up a new window that will access your computer's desktop. Select the location of the folder you just scanned the images to, right-click the folder and select "Send to." Another window will open up allowing you to select the location to send the file to, select your DVD burner and click "OK." Your computer will now copy the folder onto the DVD.
- 8
  Using a fine-tip marker, write the name of the folder you have just transferred the DVD, replace the DVD into its jewel case or DVD holder.

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