I think it all depends on what features are u looking for. Me, i haven't used Vegas 4, In fact i just started using trial version of Vegas 5. So i dont really have any idea if vegas 4 is better than 5. I would say that a newer version always has new features, so if it was me i would go with 5.

if you are not to use the NEW features of V5 - V4 is working for you so why upgrade ..
.. the main new feature i use is NRS and for my use that was worth the upgrade and on top of that was all the new features in DVDA2 which i do use all the time came along with the it ... all comes down to are YOU going to get your $$ worth using new features ...

Go over the new features list, and if none of them excite you, then stay with V4.

Sometimes, however, new versions make changes in the interface that don't necessarily show up in the features list, but which make a big improvement in productivity. Unfortunately, this was not the case with Vegas 5. All the craziness with the interaction between selection of events, track selection, timeline selection, and ripple is still there. Same with trying to find those tiny fader controls in each event when you want to do a simple fade to black (and heaven help you if you nudge the invisible opacity control at the top of the event).

I am very frustrated these days because I just completed several projects that should have been done in fifteen minutes but each took several hours, all due to quirks in the interface. I have been using this program for almost three years (longer if you consider my VideoFactory experience). Vegas is frustratingly close to being an amazingly productive interface, but in Vegas 5, Sony decided not to address the user interface issues and instead added features not related to workflow, productivity, or ease of use. Hopefully they will put this on their list for V5 (or for an interim release).

And the eternal question is: will the publisher allow future upgrades that skip a major version release? e.g. from V4 to V6? Or will you be stuck with paying full price for V6? That is certainly a consideration when deciding whether to wait.

They've always allowed you to upgrade from any version in the past, I think it would be quite unlikely for them to change that policy now. Besides, as they try to build Vegas' acceptance, any sale is a good sale.

As for interface quirks, I have never, ever, managed to screw up with the opacity and fade handles. Their locations make perfect sense, and require you to be in precise yet accessible locations. To accidentally adjust any of them would require some pretty careless mouse handling... :)

Actually, one interface improvement that HAS made a huge improvement in my workflow is that V5 lets you remap the keyboard shortcuts to your liking.

See this thread for more detail on how this feature has helped me:

I agree, the remap keyboard is a great improvement.

I'm one of the people that did not upgrade from 4 to 5... there wasn't a ''must have' feature like there was in my previous upgrade (from 2.0 to 4.0). The masks didn't do much for me, as I abuse After Effects on a daily basis. Until I buy a control surface (I just don't have the money for a HUI at the moment!), I can't justify the upgrade to myself. I suppose that, without having AE, it might be a more exciting upgrade.

I've never had any problems upgrading from previous versions, and hell, I can't WAIT for Acid 5.0. I'm still using Acid Pro 2.0 & Music 3.0 right now-- THAT is going to seem like an evolutionary upgrade!

David.

So I upgraded when it first came out, and have done a couple of medium-sized projects with v5. In looking back, I don't think I have really benefited from the new version of Vegas much, but the new DVDA has been more than worth the upgrade to me. If I had to do it over, I probably would upgrade again.

Just one man's opinion.

Bezier masks are a great asset. Nested Tracks can be amazing. 3D track motion is tremendous. I'm working the tutorials and getting better (faster) all the time. I've really enjoyed V5 (after VF, V3 and V4). Darryl

Vegas 5 to me ,is not as stable as 4, media bins is worse if anything than 4, 3d stuff is ok but if you use a good 3d program I would say you will still be using it. Track motion presets still missing., I get some strange computer hangs I never experienced in 2,3,or 4.
My opinion is they rushed 5 to be out at NAB and have still not recovered.

Vegas 5 does have more quirky little bugs, no showstoppers for me so far. For video DVD-A is the really big upgrade, so if you use that for DVDs then absolutely. The other video upgrades you have to decide if you will use 3d and bezier masks. There was a ton of audio improvements too. Automation is nice as are the 5.1 changes.

busterkeaton's last post really hits the nail on the head.

I upgraded to V5, primarily for one reason: The ability to save subclips in the media bins. I am working on a 45-minute documentary and must boil down from over 20 hours of tape. Being able to organize according to selected sub-sections of an event is priceless to me.

Oh My! The ability to use my Mackie Control was reason enough for me!!!!!
I use it for my Recording stuido and it works with Nuendo fantastically, but in V4 it was just eye candy...it had no value. NOW the Vegas implemetation of the Mackie Control is BETTER than the Nuendo implementation.

Kudos to Sony for this !

There are some subtle improvements that also make it worth while.
Not to mention the new Excalibur comes out tomorrow and its ONLY for V5.

Brock Landers
aka Dirk Diggler

Oh, man, how could I forget subclips?!!! I've only been yelling on this forum for subclips for the last two years!

Subclips alone worth the upgrade. I'll also second the comments on the improvements to DVDA2 -- all the major gaps in DVDA1 have been filled, and new features like Vegas-compatible subtitling have been added. In my view, DVDA has rocketed from an interesting, quirky application in version 1 to the top of the heap in Version 2.

Thanks all, sounds like a good dialogue ... I think since V4 works great for me I'll stick with it... but I may get v6 if it has a lot of new features + interface upgrades etc.. great thread!

ken

Yes, if you own a Mackie, then by all means upgrade.

Also while we are talking about the features aimed at the Power users, if you have a Dual Processor box or a Gigabet network, then network rendering is sweet too.

I think its worth the upgrade just for DVD-A2. I haven't tried network rendering yet, nor dual processor rendering yet, nor 3d b whatever masks yet, Mackie control yet, and a whole bunch of other things that I already forgot about.

JJK

Still on V4 here.