have burned photo albums to CD and DVD successfully as gifts to friends without computers(yes some homes don't have a computer) but they only play on some home DVD players any suggestions

It's probable that your photos are JPEGs therefore the player needs to be JPEG compatable.

Try bitsetting the media to DVD-ROM. DVD-ROM plays in any home DVD player.

GB

In principle Gordon, in principle...but if it is not JPEG compatible will not make it.
You can create a slideshow playable by the home players...look for software that does it as there are many.
As there are different ways to produce your show, including a "film" made using a video editor, using your photos at the timeline. But this is more elaborate, time sonsuming and probably asking for more work.
You can look for software from magix, Ulead, Adobe and many more, that can do it.
For video and probably slidewhows, have a look at:

www.videohelp.com