As the request is for pictures and music to simply end together (not worrying about matching any internal bits) why not simply export the pictures only in a suitable video format (best resolution) and then import this single object onto a new timeline with the music. In 'stretch mode' change the play length of the picture video from 2:17 to 1:3.

Regards,

Carl

Hi

Are you using MEP 15 Plus or MEP 2015 Plus.

. . . . change the photo length manually . . . .

If you are doing this one by one then it will leave gaps - try this

MEP will automatically ripple the change through all the select images when you select all the images, right click one of them and select Change photo length, enter the required length, click OK and then Apply to all selected. See video below

There are exceptions which will give gaps:

1. existing gaps - even just one frame - will remain - makes sure you have no gaps between the images.
    
2. the image track is locked - padlock symbol to left of the track
    
3. an image is grouped with an object on a lower track which cannot move

I calculated that for 400 images in 1 hr 3 mins each image should be 9.45 secs = 9 secs 13 frames at 30 fps or 9 secs 11 frames - see note below -  long assuming that there are no other transitions than Cut.  If you have used transitions such as crossfades, wipes etc then you must take into account that the time the image is actually displayed for is shorter then the image length.

NOTE: when entering the duration into the Change photo length dialog the time boxes are mins : secs : frames

Due to the need for the images to be whole frames you will not get a perfect matching ending - to counteract this I put a longer fade out on the last image and also fade out the music over 2 - 3 secs.

In this respect Carls method is more accurate, however is does mean extra steps if make a mistake in the original project.

HTH

John EB

Or just do as I often do, as I described in that thread: line up the end of the finished video with the end of the music, and trim/fade the music's start.

You indicated that you have photos/videos. The videos will complicate the calculations, so if you really want to be precise, you should add up the length of the videos, and subtract that from the length of the music. Count the number of photos and divide that into the number of seconds remaining, and adjust for the frames as well (frames per second, not fractions of a second). Then adjust the length of all photos as indicated by John Baker. Finally, adjust the length of the last image by dragging the right side length handle to match the end of the music.

There is no way to do all of this automatically. The program does not know what you want to do.

Hi

@ Terry

That works OK if there is only a small difference in the length of the visuals and the music.

In this case the music is 1h 3m long and the video 2h 17m. 

@bbmonster

I have reread your post and realised you have videos in there as well - you may have to trim down the videos eg if a clip is 30 secs long and there is action in the first few seconds and the last few seconds the cut out most of the middle and crossfade between the to sections of action.

You may also have to do some more editting if you want to put the finished video on DVD and are using single layer discs - the maximum video length for these is approx 2 hours if you want to maintain full DVD quality.

Otherwise you may have to burn to Dual Layer DVD discs - however check that you DVD burner will accept them.

OT: think I may need some new glasses

Looks like John CB was also replying at the same time as me

HTH

John

Since I'm not at my computer, I can't try this, but there may be a possibility by using the Slideshow Maker Wizard. If you select all of the objects and open the wizard, go through the steps and load your music, have the wizard adjust the length of the photos to match the length of the music, it might work.  I think that there is a box to check to have the length of the images adjusted to the length of the music. Also there should be a check box to maintain the original length of the video clips. What I don't know is whether or not you can load your music as opposed to the music supplied with the program. Maybe someone can try this. If it works, then the music that you added to track 2 may be redundant. Also, since there will likely be no beat information, make sure that Slideshow Maker doesn't try to find it by making a musical cut adjustment. 

Since you have video clips, then they probably have an audio part. You may want to turn down the sound of these video clips  or reduce the volume of the music at these locations. Look up ducking or damping in the manual.

Good luck!

Hi

@ Terry

That works OK if there is only a small difference in the length of the visuals and the music.

In this case the music is 1h 3m long and the video 2h 17m. 

 

Hi John,

I guess I'm having trouble understanding the requirement. At some point IMO it becomes unrealistic to expect to automatically halve the length of a slideshow. Some user involvement seems necessary.