Thanks Cin........The thing is I don't know where the original length is. You are right the squiggly lines are showing and holding down the control and dragging changes this but I want to make them disappear and have the original length. The event is "scrolling text" and when I render I get a very shaky look which could be due to slowing down the event. Maybe there is a better way of slowing down scrolling text??

Not sure of a reset, but you can...

1. right click on event and click properties, make sure playback speed =1.00
2. With loop checked, click OK
3. Without holding control, drag the edge of the clip towards the original (either extend or contract as needed to the original clip duration). You'll see a notch in the top of the clip. That is the original duration. Make sure snapping is enabled and drag the edge of the clip to that duration.

Mark.... Done all that and works a treat :-) Now the event is scrolling text, how can I slow down the scroll and have the scroll start with the first word and end with the last word. I thought I would be able to do this with the scroll left option but there is no annimate option.

Which text/titler are you using?

Its the Sony Titles and text editor that comes with Sony movie studio platinum suite.

The CTRL-drag (expand) should work. Perhaps it is your project properties? Do they match what it says in the Sony text & Title generator? Is this an interlaced/progressive issue?