Xml and slideshow question - preload entire image collection rather than individually

Hi

If I have my xml setup where it loads external jpgs, is there a way to preload the entire set rather than individually preloading single images.

Because its an automated animation I feel its best to preload them all rather than showing the preload bar for each image.

I understand that you can use

total = firstChildNode.childNode.length;

to determine the total amount of xml nodes, but cannot for the life of me figure out the way to preload the entire set.

Any help greatly appreciated.

T