I've tried to follow your calculations and tables about slideshow length and stuff...
But:
To put it simple:
I've got 14 (fourteen) Images to Show.
I want each Image to be shown for 7 seconds (transitions included), making it a slideshow of (14*7=) 98 seconds, or 1 Minute 38 seconds.
I Highlight the 7 Images, choose the button "Slideshow" and follow the menu:
Style = "Motion".
Background Music = xyz.MP3 (total Duration 3:44)
Slideshow preferences: fit Music to photos. Sequence = Timeline order, don't detect faces. (ok).
Music preferences: Music mark out trimmed to 1:38:03 (no way to put it on 1:38:00 - no editable Digits), no fade in, yes fade out. (ok).
Next. (PD renders something). Preview: The Overall length is: 00:55:05 seconds. (which makes about 4 seconds per Foto).

Next try. (previous).
Music preferences: unchanged
Slideshow preferences: Fit Fotos to Music (!)
Next. (another Rendering) Preview: The Overall length NOW is: 1:38:03 (perfect!)
BUT:
The Images are again not shown for 7 seconds, but for 4 (FOUR) seconds.
So, after 56 seconds the slideshow restarts with Foto #1, being at Foto #11, when the 1:38:03 are reached.

And that is UNUSEABLE.
That makes NO SENSE.
I want the Fotos to be shown for 7 seconds each, I've placed text items into the timeline according to their respective Position, and These are now no longer Fitting to the Fotos.

And:
There is NO WAY to Stretch the Duration of the slideshow to the appropriate length, as it would be possible with a 'normal' Video Clip.

What a pity!
Michael.

Hi Mike

As mentioned before do not use the Slideshow Templates for exact timed photo boards.

In your instance though you can Produce your slideshow then import the slideshow back into PD and either slow it down or speed it up in Power Tools > Video Speed

Happy editing Happing editing

Best Regards

Neil
CubbyHouseFilms
My Youtube Channel
My Vimeo Channel
PD3.5, 5, 6 & 7. Computer: Dell Dimension 5150, Intel Pen. 2.80 GHz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT 256MB, Windows XP Pro!!
PD8 Ultra v3022. Computer: Dell Studio 1747, Intel, i7 Q740 1.73 GHz, 8GB RAM, ATI Mob. Radeon HD 560v 1GB, Windows 7 Ult. 64
PD10 Ultra v2023. Computer: HP Pavilion dv7, Intel, i7 2630 2.00 GHz, 8GB RAM, ATI Mob. Radeon HD 6770 2GB, Windows 7 Pre. 64
PD12 Ultra v2930. Computer: HP Pavilion dv7, Intel, i7 2630 2.00 GHz, 8GB RAM, ATI Mob. Radeon HD 6770 2GB, Windows 7 Pre. 64
PD13 Ultim v3516. Computer: HP Pavilion dv7, Intel, i7 2630 2.00 GHz, 8GB RAM, ATI Mob. Radeon HD 6770 2GB, Windows 7 Pre. 64
PD16 Live v2101 Computer: HP Pavilion dv7, Intel, i7 2630 2.00 GHz, 16GB RAM, ATI Mob.Radeon HD 6770 2GB, Windows 7 Pre. 64
Director Suite 6: PowerDirector 16 Live, PhotoDirector 9, ColorDirector 6, AudioDirector 8

Cameras: Sony(s) HXR-NX5P, HXR-NX70P, NEX-VG10E, a6300 4k, HDR TG5E, GoPro 4 Black, Canon 6D DSLR

Visit PDtoots. PowerDirector Tutorials, tips, free resources & more. Subscribe!
Full linked Tutorial Catalog - PDtoots happily supports fellow PowerDirector users!

The only Thing then is that I loose the correct positions for my text items...
And what's necessary is a double Rendering of the slideshow:
1st: for preview and replacing the original Fotos on the timeline,
2nd: to produce a Video file which in a third step must be re-imported into my Project.

It's a pity, that CL has equipped PD with such playing stuff, which cannot be used properly for 'serious' Action.
Hopefully the Video editing hasn't become that 'stuffy', too!

Michael.

HA!

When doing as recommended, a funny Thing happens:
The result is a Video file of 1:38 minutes Duration.
Only the Fotos are finished within this Video after 56 seconds, the rest is black Screen.....

No further comment.
Michael.

There seems to BE a Workaround:

Use "Magic Motion" for the Images leaves the original Duration of the Images untouched, and provides - at least for me - what I want a slideshow to do.

Michael.