Jim: Got your letter re: duration & transition. Very helpful Went back, checked it out, adn everything OK. Turned the music off, and still get the blackout on the screen. I am using ver.4.. I have re-downloaded my pics for the slide show, literally started all over adn still the same problem. Its a puzzlement. However, tell me about 'custom sync'. I do not use that. John C. Thanks for all the help.