Okay - I have added unique class names to each pager link. So please download the plugin again.

Now you can assign unique background images to each link (make sure to use text-indent:-99999px to push the actual numbers off screen).

Let me know if this works for you!

Absolutely! Simply set controls:false, and auto_controls:false. Like so:

$('#slides').bxSlider({
controls:false,
auto_controls:false
});

Check the documentation above for a complete list of options.

I have implemented a solution - check the demo now. You still get a small jump, but you do not see the stacked slides. Here's how: set the wrapping ul to the height of the first slide, then set overflow: hidden and voila!! Your specific site may need tweaking, but its totally doable.

Let me know if this works for you!
-Steve