I did not understand Yves response to your question.  But...

I am very interested in your question and the correct response.  I also have
a variety of applications on my PC and would like to know which ones to keep
and use.  I'd like to get rid of some of them.  I have HP photo software,
Cannon photo software, several Microsoft programs etc etc.

But, let me answer your question as I have resolved it.  I've made several
slide shows.

Your simplest answer and quickest answer and not a bad solution:  use
Windows Movie Maker
1.1) add all your photos to a new 'collection'
1.2) add a piece of music to the same collection
2.1) click on the option 'Make and AutoMovie'
2.2) select the 'Name' of the style of movie you want auto generated
2.3) click on 'Done, edit movie'
3.1) Windows Movie Maker will analyse the music and pictures and build an
automatice story line that fits to the music you selected.  (it isn't
perfect, but pretty quick and easy)
4.1) preview the movie
5.1) follow the steps to save and burn to a VCD
Pros and Cons:  not as high a video quality as a DVD, sometimes the pictures
not in the order you thought they would be in, but very easy and quick.

Summary:  other options exist but are too long for this simple response.  
I'm not at all and expert, but tinker a lot.  Good luck,