If you want to check sync on an event in the timline you could select both the audio and video and then look at the timecode in the "TakeStart" column of the details window. They will read the same if they are in sync. This only works if the audio and video are level cut. To quickly get them back into sync if they are out cut and paste the timecode from the video to the audio event in the details window.

If either the audio or video starts before the other on the timeline. (That is they are L cut) you could put a marker on the clip in the trimmer then you can see this marker in the event on the timeline if you have View/Event Media Markers selected. Simply slide the audio until the markers line up.

Isn't there a way to have it show in both the video and audio clips in the timeline? Seems like it should automatically do this or at least have an option to do so (like showing timecode, take, or sound pitch, etc.). I know that Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro have this feature. Doesn't Vegas have this feature?

Any reason why people are avoiding this question?

I think it's more of a workflow issue of why your clips are out of sync than anything else. If you haven't done any subsequent head trimming of either audio or video, place the cursor at the beginning of one of them and you can snap the other to the same start. This works even if you have previously trimmed the head of both of them together.

I think everyone is not understanding my question correctly.

Here's an example.

I lay down a video event and the audio (synced) lays down with it. If I trim one end of either the corresponding clip trims as well. UNLESS I select "ignore event grouping" and accidently move one of the clips ever so slightly and cause the clips to lose sync. Now there's a big chance I won't catch this especially if it's only a handful of frames, but never-the-less it will be out of sync. All I'm asking is if there is a preference that will show how many frames the video and audio are out of sync (much like timecode is displayed, or pitch shift, or take)? If anyone has used Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro they will know what I'm talking about because both of those tools have this option.

The "Ignore Event Grouping" button is dangerous because of the very reason you mention--it's so easy to screw things up accidentally.

One option is to take it off the toolbar so you aren't tempted to use it very often. You can ungroup a specific audio/video combination very easily by selecting them and hitting "U" on the keyboard.

The other button on the toolbar that messes me up occasionally is the ripple edit button. It's a very useful and powerful feature, but leave it selected by accident and delete an audio track, and your project gets complicated in a hurry.

The answer is "No"

This is why a script was written to deal wit this.

BTW PicSync's method of dealing woith it is really good. Open the media in the trimmer and drop a marker. You'll then be able to sync back up in the timeline very easily. However, The script is probably faster.

Rob Mack

You should probably unmap ctrl+L as well so that you can't possible turn on auto-ripple. If you only remove the button you won't be able to see if it's on or not.

Rob Mack

I happen to like the ripple button and cntrl-L. I use them both often. What is a better solution in your opinion?

I understand your question! In the past I was using a FAST VM. When a video/audio file is placed on the timeline, it is in sync. If you need to shift the audio only, you do it by drugging the audio event. The audio event changes its color to bright salmon to signify that it is not in sync anymore. You can not miss it.
I wish a similar feature was present in Vegas!

That was a response to riredale.

The point was that if you remove the button you should unmap the keys as well.

As for my preference, I prefer to manually ripple.

Different strokes.

Rob Mack

Seems like a good idea to me. Vegas is a little weak on keeping A/V pairs together.

Rob Mack

A better solution would be to pay better attention to what you are doing so that things won't get out of sync in the first place :) If you do find that a clip got out of sync then it is very easy to get it back in sync. But there is no way to have vegas scan your timeline and tell you what clips are in sync and which ones aren't.

I've been using Vegas for what... three years, maybe more? I've never lost sync. Like Jason said, you just need to pay attention to what you're doing!

J--

When I first started using Vegas I assumed groups would work more like some vector graphics software. I'd used CorelDraw for years and was comfortable with its grouping behavior.

I quickly found out that Vegas doesn't do a good job with grouping at all. Since then I've been very careful with the (buglike) feature and have had no trouble with audio getting out of sync.

When you've only got one leg you get good at hopping.

Rob Mack

You're right, if you watch what you're doing, you will not have a problem, just remember you're trying to use a DAW as an NLE and it all makes sense. Fortunately I mostly edit silent movies so A/V sync isn't much of a problem for me.
How about a bit of a reality check here, every other NLE that I've come accross either plain will not let you unsync A/V or requires you to jump through hoops to do it. Why should anyone have to 'watch what you're doing' least they cause the most obvious of all things to go wrong. Surely the idea of any tool is so you can focus on what you're doing, not watching out for the none too obvious slip ups that your tool might have made.