Sony Vegas Pro 9 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The product description above goes a LONG way into describing Vegas Pro 9's capabilities here, so I won't reiterate these ad nauseum.
However, if you're new to the field, is Vegas Pro 9 for you? If you're looking for the perfect, non-linear editor, and are seriously considering producing multiple DVD's as a business line (say you're a wedding videographer, etc.), then I'd respond with a resounding YES. If you're tired of being faced with restrictions of cheaper offerings (i.e. limited menu lengths, constrained templates, etc.) or if you're frustrated with compatibility limitations (only certain video files are supported, you need something that will read AVCHD video files), then here's another resounding YES. If you're looking into software that gives you full range in creativity, then another resounding YES.
If you're looking for software that simply takes your home movie and plops it onto a DVD with minimal rework, look elsewhere. I, however, use it almost exclusively for home movie use, BUT I edit my home movies heavily and create my own music videos which requires that I often look/listen to them on a frame-by-frame basis, so I appreciate the full range of power that is at my disposal.
I have been using Sony Vegas Pro 8 for quite awhile (you can see my full review on this site), so some of the Pro 8 users may wonder if it's worth the upgrade or not. Here are some points to consider that Pro 9 supports that Pro 8 does not:
* 4K images. 4000+ x 4000+ images are now fully supported for rendering. While some may be entranced by this, I had no use for this whatsoever.
* Lighting effects. Sony Vegas Pro 9 offers Glint, Rays, etc. I love these and I use them quite frequently to offer some additional punch on my title screen sequences.
* Fill Light. This feature alone was worth it for me in the purchase of an upgrade. Do you ever have a shot where there's a bright light source that tends to drown out the rest of your footage (that you want!) in shadows because of the differential exposure? Fill Light will brighten those dark images and leave the brighter portions of the frame alone!! This was highly, highly worth it to me since this type of exposure compensation is usually not available on commercially available camcorders.
Overall, Sony Vegas Pro 9 (which has BOTH 32-bit and 64-bit versions on the same disc) operates just as cleanly as its older brother Pro 8. If anything, it appears to operate even more smoothly and some of the buggy portions of the ProTitler appear to have been fully corrected at the time of this review.
I highly recommend this product. Happy editing!

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The Vegas Pro 9 collection offers an efficient and intuitive environment for professional video and broadcast production, as well as DVD and Blu-ray Disc authoring. This comprehensive suite supports nearly all video formats including XDCAM EX and RED ONE, and provides a full complement of editorial tools for a streamlined workflow. With broad format support, superior effects processing, and the most powerful audio tools available in a NLE, the Vegas Pro 9 collection delivers everything needed to produce outstanding results. The Vegas Pro 9 collection includes 32- and 64-bit versions of Vegas Pro 9 software, DVD Architect Pro 5 software, and the Dolby Digital professional AC-3 encoder.

Precise editing tools Edit SD or HD video with drag-and-drop functionality, mouse and keyboard trimming, and ripple editing. Features include the ProType Titler, multicamera editing tools, 32-bit floating point video processing, customizable window layouts, color-coded snapping, improved HDV/SDI/XDCAM support, A/V synchronization detection and repair, and auto-frame quantization.
Broad Format Support Vegas Pro 9 software natively supports the newest professional camcorder formats including XDCAM EX and RED. Vegas Pro 9 software also includes support for still images greater than one gigapixel in resolution. Use Pan and Scan to create a stunning movie sequence from these large pictures while maintain HD resolution.
Superior audio control Vegas software provides the ultimate in audio flexibility, including unlimited tracks, 24-bit/192 kHz audio support, on-the-fly punch-in recording, 5.1 surround mixing, effects automation, and time compress/expand. Apply over 30 customizable, real time audio effects including EQ, Reverb, Delay, and more. Vegas Pro 9 software natively supports VST audio plug-ins--expanding your audio processing and mixing options.
Efficient, Professional Workflow for 32- and 64-bit systems The Vegas Pro 9 interface provides a fully customizable workspace for accomplishing a wide range of production requirements. Dock multiple windows across multiple monitors, and save your layouts to fit specific editing tasks; nest Vegas projects within the timeline, customize and save keyboard commands, and use application scripting to automate repetitive tasks. System-wide media management produces maximum efficiency. Network rendering saves time by using multiple computers and networked drive arrays to render complex projects. Vegas Pro software also supports 24p, HD and HDV editing.
Powerful Blu-ray Disc Authoring Burn movies to Blu-ray Disc directly from the Vegas Pro timeline for high-definition delivery. Use DVD Architect Pro software (included with the Vegas Pro collection) to author DVDs or Blu-ray Disc media with multiple video angles, subtitles, multiple languages, and special features. Preview and test your work in real time. Apply Brightness and Contrast, Auto Levels, Crop, and Anti-Flicker filters. Set CSS and Macrovision copy-protection flags for masters.
Full-featured XDCAM workflow The Vegas Pro 9 workflow for XDCAM and XDCAM EX is extremely intuitive and efficient. Vegas Pro 9 software provides all the tools needed to edit proxy and full resolution HD and SD XDCAM MXF files natively and supports all frame rates and aspect ratios, multichannel audio, EssenceMarks metadata, and all HD and SD XDCAM compression types. Vegas Pro 9 software can natively read all XDCAM EX frame rates and resolutions. The new integrated device explorer lets you preview and import only the files you need for your current project.
New--4K Support Vegas Pro 9 software natively supports frame sizes up to 4096x4096. The 4K image standard for digital cinema projection is 4096 x 2160 pixels. This level of resolution provides more detail and flexibility to pan and crop. It is ideal for compositing and video effects work, as it provides a high-quality final output.
Digital Signage Support Digital signage support in Vegas Pro 9 software makes it easy to author video for tall signage purposes. To shoot content for these displays, many tripods have a 90-degree camera-tilt option.With Vegas Pro 9 software you can edit in this format with a new "Rotation" setting in the video tab of Project Properties, as well as a "Rotation" setting in the Media Properties dialog (and related rotation commands in the Project Media item context menu).In addition to fast and easy rotation of source media, Vegas Pro 9 software can un-rotate the project output to render to existing widescreen formats, for playback on rotated displays.
Multicamera Workflow Edit multicamera productions intuitively and quickly by specifying shots as you watch your project. Switch between as many as 32 video sources with a keyboard command or a click of your mouse. Vegas Pro 9 software keeps all unused shots as alternate takes to make fine-tuning your edits more efficient.
New--Sophisticated Lighting Effects New in version 9 are Glint, Rays, Defocus, Starburst, Soft Contrast, and Fill Light. These effects let you simulate the effect of light streaming in from behind your source, create colored highlights, change the focus of your shot and more.
New--Enhanced 32-bit Floating Point Video Processing Work in 8-bit mode for speed, then switch to 32-bit floating point for extra precision during final rendering. This mode allows you to take advantage of greater color range for more vivid colors, reduced gradient banding and posterization for smoother color transitions, linear light capability for optically correct compositing, and many other precision enhancements.
Comprehensive HDV support Vegas Pro 9 software includes support for high-performance native HDV M2T playback, and 601/709 color space handling. Experience superior SD downconversion and frame-rate conversion including 24p, and precision upconversion for HD-SDI mastering. Vegas Pro 9 software also has powerful no-recompress technology for faster render times.
Interactive Tutorials Vegas Pro 9 software has a comprehensive help system, as well as detailed interactive tutorials that provide walk-through demonstrations of common features and functionality. These tutorials provide an easy step-by-step method of learning the product and the workflow necessary to complete most common tasks.
5.1 surround encoder Officially tested and certified by Dolby Laboratories, Inc., this professional encoding software optimally prepares AC-3 output for surround sound productions on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Encode 5.1 multichannel or stereo mixes to AC-3 format inside Vegas Pro software.
Customizable transitions and effects Vegas Pro 9 software includes over 190 video effects and 175 transitions--all fully customizable. Effects include: Film Effects, Chroma Key, Timecode Overlays, Media Generators, Credit Rolls, Text Effects and more. Use transitions such as: Clock Wipe, Dissolves, and Page Peels.
Advanced 3D video compositing Create compelling 3D video and text effects, with control over Z-depth, plane intersection, compositing, and more. 3D motion is real time and previewable via i.LINK connector1/IEEE-1394 hardware to an external monitor.
VEGAS PRO 9 FEATURES
Video Features
New--4K support for frame sizes up to 4096x4096
New--Support for capturing directly to XDCAM-compatible MXF files from supported SD/HDSDI sources
New--Adjust source media to automatically match project or render settings
New--Enhanced 32-bit floating point mode eliminates level and contrast changes during final rendering
New--Gradient wipe transition
New--Glint, Rays, Defocus, Starburst, Soft Contrast, and Fill Light video effects
ProType Titler
Intuitive multicam editing workflow
Digital signage support
Improved HDV, SD/HD-SDI support
Red-eye reduction (stills only)
Comprehensive XDCAM Optical Media support, including full proxy workflow
Superior frame rate conversions
Multitrack video editing on unlimited tracks
3D track motion
Enhanced video compositing
Keyframeable Bezier masks
Keyframeable transitions, filters, and track motion
3-wheel primary and secondary color correction filters
Waveform, Vectorscope, Parade, and Histogram monitors
Real time playback of effects, processes and transitions to external monitor
Credit rolls and text animation
Transition progress envelopes
Alpha channel support
Flash (.swf) format import
Support for any aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9, etc)
Supports multiple file formats and frame rates
24p DV support

Audio Features
New--Place audio without quantizing to frame boundaries
New--Choose how audio streams are handled when adding media to the Vegas Pro timeline
Professional audio mixer console
Broadcast Wave format multichannel support
AAF track volume and pan info support
Gracenote MusicID CD album recognition
VST plug-in effect support
Tape-style audio scrubbing
Audio recording, editing, and mixing on unlimited tracks
24-bit/192 kHz audio support
5.1 surround mixing tools
On-the-fly punch-in recording
Auto-input record monitoring
5.1 audio plug-in support for the master bus
Film-style 5.1 surround panning
Downmix monitoring
DirectX plug-in effects automation
Includes over 30 DirectX audio effects
ACID loop properties support
ASIO driver support
Keyboard event pitch shifting
Fader automation
Real time record meters
32 assignable effects and 26 Master and Aux outputs
Bus-to-bus routing
Solo or mute tracks
Master, auxiliary, and effects bus tracks

Editing and Workflow Features
New--Includes native 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vegas Pro software
New--Enhanced user interface with layout presets
New--Impressive lighting effects including Glint, Rays, and Fill Light
New--4K support for frame sizes up to 4096 x 4096
New--Updated UI to optimize viewing and usability
New--Audio mixing and Color Correction layouts
New--Browse XDCAM EX and AVCHD contents in Device Explorer
New--Set generated media to match event length
New--Additional keyboard shortcuts
New--Automatically adjust still images to match project output aspect ratio
Interactive tutorials
Scripting extensions
Save and recall window layouts
Flexible window docking
Cursor object "snapping"
Support for XDCAM essence markers
Envelope brush "painting"
Improved project copy and trim operations
Improved multiprocessor rendering
Project nesting
System-wide media management
AAF Import/Export
A/V synchronization detect and repair
Real time nondestructive editing
Split-screen A/B previewing
Simple drag-and-drop operations
Network rendering
Envelope automation recording
High Definition editing and output
Searchable Media Pool bins
Media subclips
Automatic crossfades
Trimmer window
JKL scrub; timeline and keyboard trimming
Real time A/V event reverse
Dual monitor support
Multiple docking windows
User-definable window layouts
Customizable keyboard mapping
Dual processor DV rendering support
Keyboard trimming and event shuffling
Edit on 23.976, native 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 fps timelines
Unlimited undo/redo
Media Explorer window

Capture, Export and Hardware Features
New--Native XDCAM EX reading and import
New--Support for gigapixel size pictures
New--Read and save DPX, OpenEXR, and MS HD photo formats
New--Open and edit RED ONE files on the timeline
New--Device Explorer for AVCHD and XDCAM EX devices
Blu-ray Disc burning directly from the timeline
No-recompress rendering for long GOP HDV
XDCAM partial conform for FAM mode
Export directly to PSP
AVC/AAC support
MPEG-2, Insert I-Frame at markers
ATRAC 3 input and output
Import from DVD camcorder disc
SDI deck insert editing per channel
Render to mxf for XDCAM
Blackmagic Design DeckLink board support
External control surface support
Advanced streaming media tools
Application scripting for task automation
Subtitle time/text export to DVD Architect Prosoftware
Windows Media 9 Series support, including surround encoding
RealVideo 9 support
QuickTime format support
VideoCD and multimedia CD burning
Red Book audio CD production
Advanced encoding tools
EDL export
MPEG-1&2 support
Supports Windows Media and RealMedia commands
Sony DSR-DU1 and DSR-DR1000 disc recorder support
J-H3 HDCAM player support for DV downconverts
3:2 pulldown removal from DV .AVI files
Exports chapter markers and subtitles to DVD Architect Pro 5 software

DVD ARCHITECT PRO 5 FEATURES
General Features
DVD and Blu-ray Disc authoring
Scripting support
Random playlist playback
Parental control
Photoshop (PSD) layer support
Jacket picture creation
Theme export
Integration with Vegas Pro 9 software
Menu-based and single movie DVD creation
Easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality
Unlimited number of undo/redo
Media Explorer
Adjustable Project and File Optimization Settings
Multi-monitor support
Multi-processor support
Fully customizable toolbars
Get Media from the web

DVD Editing and Layout Features
Keyframeable transformations
Keyframeable crop and effects
Graphical subtitles
Title reordering
Snap to I-Frame
Greater than 100% zoom
4:3 and 16:9 preview settings
DVD mastering tools: DLT, DDP, CMF
Project playlists
Copy-protection tools (CSS and Macrovision)
Media effects
Project navigation tool
Still and motion menu creation
Support for multiple video titles
Real time external monitor preview via i.LINK/IEEE-1394
Subtitle creation and support
Multiple audio track support
Programmable end actions for menus and media
Project overview window
Enhanced asset behavior control
Multiple menus with up to 36 buttons per menu
Menu object editing, alignment and sizing tools
Text editing and shadow effects
Object snapping
Slide image rotation
Add, edit, and move chapter points
Title and Action safe grid area
Customizable themes
Menu looping

Video Features
Buttons on video
Crop and adjust dialog
Slideshow animations
Picture slideshow duration
Multi-angle video selection
DVD movie creation
Picture slideshows
Elementary stream import
24p DVD encoding
No re-encoding of compliant files
NTSC and PAL in normal (4:3) and wide-screen (16:9) formats
Imports AVI, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MOV, WMV, and a variety of still image formats

Audio Features
ATRAC Support
Multiple audio track support
Music compilations
Attach audio files to menus
Media file previewing
Import WAV, MP3, WMA, PCA, AIF, MPEG audio, AC-3 5.1 or stereo into your DVD Architect project
24-bit/192kHz audio support

Testing and Burning Features
Burn mastered folder
8cm to 12cm DVD copy
Button overlap indication
Smart project re-prepare
Dual-layer burning and authoring support
Real time project previewing with virtual DVD remote control or to external monitor
DVD project verification and preparation
Advanced DVD disc optimization with adjustable bitrates
Fit to disc option
Supports a wide variety of DVD burners

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Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was overwhelmed with the choices of consumer video editing software, but took a chance on the Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD software. I am not disappointed. It's the best piece of software I've bought in years!
The software comes with two CDs: one for video editing, and one for architecting and burning a DVD. The software installs quickly and easily, with the software license key contained within the product manual.
The video editing software opens up into a video editing workstation display. As soon as the software opens for the first time, there is a window offering a guided tour of the product. I strongly suggest the investment of five minutes to understand the layout and controls.
There is a video capture menu option, that works nicely with Sony Mini-DV camcorders. I'm using a PCR-109 camcorder attached by a Firewire cable, and software commands the camcorder. I suggest using the "Capture Tape" button rather than the "Capture Video" button, as it automatically rewinds the tape before capturing and labeling each video clip. It stores the video files in your "My Document" folder by default, and also makes a shortcut in the Vegas Project Media tab within the Vegas software. When the capture is done, press the square "stop" button on the screen, and you have your video clips ready for editing.
There are six tracks by default arranged under a timeline ruler, which runs from left to right: (a) text, (b) video overlay, (c) main video, (d) main audio, (e) music and (f) sound effects. All you do is drag the files from the Project Media window to the track main video track. Or, you can select a file from another folder by using the "Explorer" tab within Vegas to locate the folder and file you want. You can drag the tracks around, positioning them to the left or right, and you're free to move the video to the video overlay or text track. You can pan the audio left or right, and adjust the master audio level up or down on each track.
You can easily select sections of the clips, then press the delete key to delete that portion from the final product. Deleting a section does not affect the original video clip in your "My Documents" folder.
There's a preview window in the lower right corner, where you can easily watch how your edited product is coming along. While watching the preview, you can click anywhere on the timeline and press the triangle "play" button, and your preview instantly jumps to that part of the video. Editing and previewing is very quick and convenient.
The neatest feature is the ease of fading in and out. For fading in, just click and hold on the upper left hand corner of the video (or audio) clip. Wait a moment for the arrow cursor to change to the "fade" cursor, then gently drag it to the right. You'll see a blue curve appear over the video segment, representing the amount of fade in time you want. Drag it to the desired amount (say one second), and let go. That's it! You now have one second of fade-in. If you right click on that portion, it brings up a menu where you can select the types of fade-in -- whether you want a linear fade, or more like an S-curve fade that's fast or slow. To make it fade out, do the same on the upper right hand corner of the segment.
If you drag the video clip and overlap the ends of two segments - one that has a fade out, followed by one that has a fade in - you get a nice one second dissolve from clip 1 to clip 2. By controlling the amount of overlap and the amount of fade, you have easy and fabulous control of the transitions.
The multiple video tracks and overlays are simple but powerful features.
There is a "Text" feature where you can easily type in a text title slide like you would for a Powerpoint presentation. Slide the text box between the clips to give the clips a title.
If you put a video clip on the "Video Overlay" track, it displaces the main video - so you can use this track to overlay a shorter, close-up video into the main video while preserving the main timeline and audio. I used this feature for a birthday party video to overlay a close-up shot of dad and baby daughter onto the main party video clip of music, guests and laughter. You can insert video clips, text titles or JPEG files.
The PCR-109 has an ability while the video is being taken to snap a screen shot frame onto Memory Stick. So, when I tell the group to "smile on the count of three, 1, 2, 3" and snap that choice pose, I can position that .JPEG file on the video overlay track and have that pose overlay linger on the screen while the rest of the audio track continues. There's controls on the tracks that you can set the video intensity to 100% or something less that you can make it look like a ghost or dream if that's what you want. You can apply the fade-in/fade-out to the text and video overlays as well. These are really powerful techniques, and it's done very simply and easily.
There's an "insert marker" feature where you can mark and title chapters within the video before you render it. The chapter titles are automatically made available to the DVD Architect program. There is a button in the DVD Architect program that will automatically generate a series of menu pages with thumbnails and chapter titles.
You can render the video into a number of formats, including MPEG2 (for DVDs). One needs lots of CPU speed to render the videos. I'm running it on a Pentium D 830, 3.0 Ghz Dual Core system with 1 GB of RAM and a 4x DVD burner. I find I can render a 60 minute video into MPEG2 in about 50 minutes. Once I define the layout of the DVD, it can prepare the DVD image and burn that 60 minute video onto a blank DVD about 25 minutes. I'm keeping this PC clean of extraneous software to ensure Vegas runs well without software conflicts.
The DVD Architect is less intuitive. I had difficulty making a DVD menu button for the finished movie. By default, it uses the first frame of the video as the image for the button. I can drag and drop the MPEG file onto the layout of the DVD menu, (which creates the active button on the menu of the DVD). I finally discovered that if I then dragged and dropped overlay a .JPEG image file captured from the video (you do that in the preview window of the video editor program) over that button, I can change the appearance of that button to be a scene from the video that I really wanted. The menu feature is called "insert object". If I click on that button (using the DVD remote control) on the fnished DVD, it plays that video file.
I previously mentioned the Architect feature "insert scene selection menu", which automagically picks up the markers in the rendered MPEG video, pulls out the chapter titles, makes the thumbnails, places the titles below the thumbnails, and sets up the navigation. It's smart enough to make multiple menu pages, if needed. All at the click of one button. Very nice.
I can see that I can set the start point for the video to be something other than the menu on the DVD, and even put a video introduction leader to the DVD before displaying the main menu -- but I haven't done that yet.
The Architect program is smart enough to track changes and only reprepare the items you've changed since you created the last DVD. So, if you want to replace one video segment with a newer version, it'll only prepare the DVD changes for that one video segment.
That's all you really need to know to get started. Within a few hours, I've formatted several DVDs of home videos and really, really enjoy crafting it to come out the way I want it. It's way better than some of the freebie software that comes with Windows or DVD burners. This video editor comes with 1,001 sound effects, which I've yet to fully explore. I've only scratched the surface with the basic features and I know there's way more sophistication in the menus and FX features. Have done it the hard way in the past with reel-to-reel video recorders, this is awesome and pure heaven!

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Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned this software for about two weeks. My only prior experience with video editing is Movie Maker and InterVideo WinDVD. I was originally going to purchase Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 but then I noticed this version was just released and it has some new features.
After some initial frustration I am happy with the purchase. The learning curve is what is so frustrating especially for a novice like me. I made two coasters (though I admit that was really my fault) and at one point I was considering trying to return it for a refund because I was getting so stressed. I still get frustrated with the fact that you have to use two separate programs: Vegas Movie Studio 9 to make the movie and DVD Architect 4.5 (included) to make the menus and author the disc.
Now that I've been playing with it every day for two weeks, things are better now. It just takes hours and hours of working with the software which in turn makes the user more familiar with how to navigate through it and achieve a desirable result. No more stress. Now that I have made a couple of DVDs successfully I have a whole new appreciation of Sony Vegas. They turned out great! My movies have a beautiful 16:9 widescreen representation, great audio, decent menus, good video FX, and I've had a blast customizing them. The "Show Me How" tutorial is a lifesaver, but it has its limits.
I have experienced no crashes or anything even close to a crash. I'm using a 3-year-old HP Media Center desktop PC, running Windows XP, with Pentium 4 processor, and 2GB of RAM. I give it 4 stars because of the huge amount of information that is presented at first and the trouble it can cause a newbie and I think the average user is not going to use a lot of the advanced features.

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Vegas Pro 10 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I absolutely LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this software and have never looked back. I've upgraded from Version 9 to get the more 3D processing for generating 3D videos (none of the competition can do as of this writing).
I was a newbie at making videos, and started off with Roxio Video Wave (which I would also highly recommend to anyone starting brand new). However, as my skills progressed, I found I kept wanting to do more than Roxio could accommodate.
I trialed lots of software (I tried Corel's suite, Nero's, Cyberlink's PowerDirector, Adobe Premiere Elements and Premiere Pro), with my hopes set the highest on Cyberlink PowerDirector and Adobe Premiere Elements.
Being a Photoshop user since Version 3 and loving that program, I couldn't wait to try the relevant Adobe Premiere Elements and Elements Pro. Unfortunately, they were total disappointments because of their complexity, kept crashing (those users who complain about that aren't kidding), and the lack of some basic intuitive interface workings. Plus with Adobe they install all sorts of extra "crap" software (bloatware I think the technical term is?) that runs checking registration, etc.
PowerDirector was great, but not expandable and had quite a few little annoyances with its interface I couldn't get over.
Reluctantly, I tried Sony Vegas Pro. I was reluctant because seriously... how many people have received decent software from a camera or hardware electronics manufacturer? Zip. Zero. You get those cheesy programs to make short clips or transfer files from your camera to computer, but that's about it.
Well, let me say Sony's Creative Software division that's created Vegas Pro has certainly altered my stereotype! They're a godsend!
I had a learning curve of about a day with Vegas getting used to their terminology as opposed to Roxio's (for example, in Vegas Pro media on a timeline is referred to as an "event". Roxio also has the same functionality as "envelopes", but Roxio doesn't call it "envelopes").
Anyway, Vegas Pro's functionality is exactly what I need/want in a software package. It does all the little things I find "non professional" producers would do. For instance, if I want a clip in a Vegas Project, I can just drag and drop it from Windows explorer onto the timeline and Vegas automatically does the import into its "library". In any Adobe project or PowerDirector, it's a 2-step process of first having to "import" it into your media library and then dragging from your media library onto your timeline. Vegas Pro knows what you want, and does everything automatically for you when you drag/drop (eg, import it into the media library, etc).
Vegas installed easily, starts in less than a minute on my 4-year old Dell laptop, renders quickly, and hasn't crashed once. It's also not bloated software, and doesn't install more software than you need.
Vegas Pro can handle almost any kind of media file you want to throw at it.
It comes with an amazing set of transitions and video effects out of the box (as PowerDirector does). But if you want more, dozens of companies produce hundreds of additional plugins (both audio and video) allowing you to do more. Two great ones are 3D Six Pack from Pixelan and the NeuBlue additions.
Video is a cinch to work with on the time line. In the same single clip you can easily slow video down, speed it up, and even reverse it without having to use or create separate subclips, and all just by clicking and dragging the mouse pointer. Super fantastic.
With audio, it's a snap to work with. I've even created a few remixes just by working with sound clips across the time line, doing fades, and adjusting audio envelopes (eg, the volume, playback speed, etc) on the time line. I can convert from anything to anything or vice-versa -- no more audio software needed!
Another big advantage of Vegas Pro over Adobe Premiere Pro is you can preview transitions and video effects *before* you actually apply them! In Premiere Pro, you can't do that. Who the heck wants to have to memorize transitions/effects to know what they might look like on your timeline before rendering?
Anyway, with Vegas you can also customize just about everything; windows can be docked however you like; you can write your own scripts to include your own functionality using .NET; the PDF manual was a breeze to read through and very comprehensive with great examples (free download from Sony's website);
After learning their Vegas lingo, it's become even easier and things just work.
The three drawbacks I find to Vegas (which are really minor) are:
1) the media library that came with it has nothing but "demo" clips which I can't use unless I purchase them;
2) the "trimmer" window where you can work with sound/video clips separately outside the timeline works differently than Roxio's similar interface. In Roxio, when you set an "in" and "out" point in a media clip and insert that into the timeline, that's the version (eg, you can't extend beyond the boundaries of the media w/o reediting the in/out points). In Vegas' trimmer window, you can set the in/out point, but when dragged onto the timeline you can extend beyond those points if you need to (I personally wish it was locked like it is in Roxio because otherwise there's no point to having the trimmer window as you can just do all your work in the timeline);
3) the Sony Message boards are restricted to people who have registered their software. So as a "trial user" you're out of luck. Also when registering (not activating) you have to provide Sony with all sorts of information (which I refused to do).
I've been recommending this software to anyone who's thinking of wanting to do more with creating videos than just the basic stuff. I'm not a fan of Sony products (computers, cameras, video cams, etc), but I absolutely love this piece of software. As much as I love Adobe Photoshop (and recently purchased the CS4 version), for video production I'm definitely a Sony software convert.


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The Vegas Pro 10 collection offers an efficient and intuitive environment for professional audio and video production, as well as DVD and Blu-ray Disc authoring. This comprehensive suite offers the most robust and progressive platform available for content creation and production. With innovative stereoscopic 3D tools, broad format support, superior video effects processing, unparalleled audio support, and a full complement of editorial features, the Vegas Pro 10 collection delivers everything needed to produce outstanding results. Vegas Pro 10 includes 32- and 64-bit versions of Vegas Pro 10 software, DVD Architect Pro 5.2 software, and the Dolby Digital professional AC-3 encoder.
An efficient and intuitive environment for professional audio and video production, as well as DVD and Blu-ray Disc authoring. Click here for a larger image

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