Bogus Review in PC Magazine

karma17 wrote on 1/2/2024, 2:33 AM

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/vegas-pro

I found this review in PC Magazine absolutely bogus. The author cites more cons than pros with Vegas, and many of his criticisms seem unfair and have more to do with him as an editor than legit criticisms about Vegas. His main criticisms are as follows and I would like to respond to each one.

1. Interface lacks conveniences found in competitors. Not sure what in the world he is talking about here. Vegas Pro has one of the best interfaces available. Click and drag ease, a sleek interface, super easy to use and navigate. The interface is one of the reasons I love Vegas. Has he ever used Da Vinci Resolve? Vegas is a cake walk by comparison.

2. Requires outdated internet security settings to function. Not sure what he means by this. You have to activate through the Magix website online. I find the security more than adequate. What is the issue here? Not clear to me. I find Magix security more than on par with other software programs I use. Have you tried logging onto to Mixamo? It is no worse or better than Magix's system. Again a bogus and weak criticism.

3. Multicam editing is nearly unusable. I can't speak to this one because I only use one camera at a time. How many cameras does the average user shoot with? Is it the multicam system really that bad??

4. No welcome panel with tutorials. Welcome programs? What in the world? There is a welcome panel now and quite frankly, I find it annoying. I realize video editing programs can seem intimidating at first, but the timeline is right there and a 6th grader could probably figure out how easy it is to drop clips on it. There is ample help included in the program. Another bogus criticism in my view. How much hand holding is supposed to be provided?

5. Some program instability. I have found Vegas to be extremely stable and the latest build is probably the most stable. What high-performance program does not have an occasional crash here and there? This is a generic criticism that could be leveled at any video editing program. I call B.S. on this one.

The Bottom Line is Vegas Pro continues to be a fantastic software that is getting better with every iteration.

Comments

Jack S wrote on 1/2/2024, 4:25 AM

@karma17 +10

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set wrote on 1/2/2024, 4:31 AM

Noticed someone's comment dated 15 Nov 2021.

So I guess this is originally old article, while being updated to recent April 17 2023.

 

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* I don't work for VEGAS Creative Software Team. I'm just Voluntary Moderator in this forum.

Dexcon wrote on 1/2/2024, 4:50 AM

It looks to be a review of Vegas Pro 20.

From the article:

Until now, Vegas Pro had been held back by overwhelming interface complexity, so only serious pros needed apply.

Huh? There's not too much difference in Vegas Pro's GUI layout since Vegas Pro 10 (my entry VP version) other than now having a display choice other than 'light'. The reviewer provided no opinion as to what the older version complexity was as against VP20. It almost seems that the reviewer is comparing VP20 to some other NLE from years ago that he has confused as being Vegas Pro.

What is immediately apparent is that the reviewer has failed to do what a good reviewer should do and that is to provide details and explanations about the condensed pros/cons points. As far as I could see, there's nothing in the review pointing out the interface conveniences found in other NLEs that are lacking in VP; no mention about the internet security issue; and a failure to recognise that VP tutorials are accessible by another means (Hub) than the method used in some other NLES - so a big "so what" to that point - it's just different, that's all. The reviewer seems to assume that all NLEs must do everything the same way.

Overall, this was an incredibly sloppy and poorly written review which does the reviewer no credit.

Cameras: Sony FDR-AX100E; GoPro Hero 11 Black Creator Edition

Installed: Vegas Pro 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22, HitFilm Pro 2021.3, DaVinci Resolve Studio 19.0.3, BCC 2025, Mocha Pro 2025.0, NBFX TotalFX 7, Neat NR, DVD Architect 6.0, MAGIX Travel Maps, Sound Forge Pro 16, SpectraLayers Pro 11, iZotope RX11 Advanced and many other iZ plugins, Vegasaur 4.0

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C drive: 2TB Samsung 990 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD

D: drive: 4TB Samsung 870 SATA SSD (used for media for editing current projects)

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Reyfox wrote on 1/2/2024, 7:47 AM

I would love to see Videostudio Pro or Powerdirector do what Vegas can do, with the say, BRAW. Reading the replies shows that the simplest of things, the reviewer didn't have a grasp of. And if you read any past reviews, PD and VS are always highly regarded.... hmmm.....

To fully understand any complex software, you have to spend a lot of time with it, and constantly use it. These "reviewers" are under a deadline. And like all of us, we have our personal preferences. Some prefer the upside down editing of Powerdirector of Videostudio Pro... not me though.

Last changed by Reyfox on 1/2/2024, 7:49 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

Newbie😁

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set wrote on 1/2/2024, 8:58 AM

"To fully understand any complex software, you have to spend a lot of time with it, and constantly use it."

You are correct with this... so lately, there are "My reviews of 'product' after a year / some months"

 

Setiawan Kartawidjaja
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia (UTC+7 Time Area)

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System 5-2021:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz   2.90 GHz
Video Card1: Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Driver 31.0.101.2127 (Feb 1 2024 Release date))
Video Card2: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB GDDR6 (Driver Version 551.23 Studio Driver (Jan 24 2024 Release Date))
RAM: 32.0 GB
OS: Windows 10 Pro Version 22H2 OS Build 19045.3693
Drive OS: SSD 240GB
Drive Working: NVMe 1TB
Drive Storage: 4TB+2TB

 

System 2-2018:
ASUS ROG Strix Hero II GL504GM Gaming Laptop
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 8750H CPU @2.20GHz 2.21 GHz
Video Card 1: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 (Driver 31.0.101.2111)
Video Card 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 VRAM (Driver Version 537.58)
RAM: 16GB
OS: Win11 Home 64-bit Version 22H2 OS Build 22621.2428
Storage: M.2 NVMe PCIe 256GB SSD & 2.5" 5400rpm 1TB SSHD

 

* I don't work for VEGAS Creative Software Team. I'm just Voluntary Moderator in this forum.

Howard-Vigorita wrote on 1/2/2024, 9:56 AM

The Vegas review reads like that of an air-head. In sharp contrast to the same person's review of DaVinci Resolve. He's the head of PC Mag's review department so obviously he's more sophisticated than he made himself out to be. His motivation is anyone's guess but my impression is that the Vegas review is a calculated hit-piece.

VEGASPascal wrote on 1/2/2024, 11:17 AM

Davinci is a 4, Adobe is a 4, Filmora is a 4... but Power Director is a 5? 😉😄

rraud wrote on 1/2/2024, 11:26 AM

Another inaccurate statement in the PC Mag review: "originally developed by Sony"

Vegas was originally developed by Sonic Foundry as an audio only DAW). Video was added prior to Sony's acquisition as well.

Mohammed_Anis wrote on 1/2/2024, 11:28 AM

Just as an excercise, without a lot of informative input, I asked Chatgpt to write pro vs con review of VEGAS PRO. The reviewer would've faired better in plagirizing it.



 

VEGAS PRO is a popular video editing software, and like any tool, it has its pros and cons. Let's explore both sides to provide a comprehensive overview.

Pros of Vegas Pro

1. **User-Friendly Interface:** Vegas Pro is known for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. This makes it accessible for beginners while still offering powerful tools for advanced users.

2. **Robust Editing Features:** The software provides a wide range of editing tools, including advanced color grading, compositing, and audio editing capabilities. This allows for high-level professional editing.

3. **Flexible Workflow:** Vegas Pro supports a flexible workflow, allowing editors to customize their workspace and adapt the software to their specific editing needs and styles.

4. **Strong Community and Support:** There is a large community of Vegas Pro users, providing a wealth of tutorials, tips, and plugins. Additionally, the software has good customer support for troubleshooting and advice.

5. **Cost-Effective:** Compared to some other professional editing software, Vegas Pro is relatively affordable, offering a good balance between features and price.

### Cons of Vegas Pro

1. **Performance Issues:** Some users have reported performance issues with Vegas Pro, especially when working with very high-resolution footage or complex projects.

2. **Compatibility Limitations:** While Vegas Pro supports many formats, there can be compatibility issues with certain file types or codecs, potentially requiring additional conversion software.

3. **Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features:** Although the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering the more advanced features of Vegas Pro can take time and may be overwhelming for beginners.

4. **Lack of Certain Advanced Features:** While Vegas Pro is powerful, it may lack some of the high-end features found in other professional software, like sophisticated motion tracking or 360-degree editing tools.

5. **Occasional Stability Issues:** Some users have experienced crashes or stability issues, particularly during longer editing sessions or when using numerous effects and transitions.

In conclusion, Vegas Pro is a strong contender in the realm of video editing software, particularly for those seeking a balance between advanced capabilities and user-friendliness. However, potential users should consider their specific needs and possibly trial the software before committing, to ensure it meets their requirements in terms of performance, features, and stability.

Reyfox wrote on 1/2/2024, 12:04 PM

@VEGASPascal, PD is often rated as their #1, with Videostudio Pro #2. With statements like this: "For more modern and complete tools, look to our enthusiast-level Editors’ Choice video editing software picks, Corel VideoStudio and CyberLink PowerDirector." You can see why I would think all their reviews would be suspect, and wonder about "payola".

There is nothing wrong with using a consumer editor or even recommending it. But reading that "review" shows a total lack of knowing not much about the software. Notice no acknowledgement of the replies correcting the inaccuracies....

Newbie😁

Vegas Pro 22 (VP18-21 also installed)

Win 11 Pro always updated

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16 cores / 32 threads

32GB DDR4 3200

Sapphire RX6700XT 12GB Driver: 25.3.1

Gigabyte X570 Elite Motherboard

Panasonic G9, G7, FZ300

VEGASPascal wrote on 1/2/2024, 12:13 PM

@VEGASPascal, PD is often rated as their #1, with Videostudio Pro #2. With statements like this: "For more modern and complete tools, look to our enthusiast-level Editors’ Choice video editing software picks, Corel VideoStudio and CyberLink PowerDirector." You can see why I would think all their reviews would be suspect, and wonder about "payola".

There is nothing wrong with using a consumer editor or even recommending it. But reading that "review" shows a total lack of knowing not much about the software. Notice no acknowledgement of the replies correcting the inaccuracies....

Agree.

NOVAdash wrote on 1/2/2024, 4:49 PM

I would hope anyone planning to commit to a video editor would do an evaluation of each trial version. It's exactly how I ended up with Sony Vegas 15 years ago over Corel, Adobe, and Magix (lol).

3POINT wrote on 1/2/2024, 10:35 PM

I'm longtime user of Vegas and since a few years also of Powerdirector and Resolve. My opinion: Unfortunately there^s no ideal editor so I combine their pros to eliminate their cons.

If I really had to choose to use only one of them, I probably would choose.....

Reyfox wrote on 1/3/2024, 7:51 AM

Sadly, people look for confirmation bias in just about everything. I had PD many years ago because it could do multicam editing. I tried a few of it's features, they were nice, but for me, nothing special. I can't comment on it today though. I've owned Resolve Studio for several years now. It was a gift from my wife. I've yet to edit a single video in it.

If it weren't for a Humble Bundle on VP14 Edit, I doubt if I would be here today. I agree with @3POINT, there is no perfect editor yet, at least what I am looking for. So do have several different ones installed on my computer. Each has something they excel in that the others do not. It's a video editing tool chest. Use the right tool for the job at hand.

Newbie😁

Vegas Pro 22 (VP18-21 also installed)

Win 11 Pro always updated

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16 cores / 32 threads

32GB DDR4 3200

Sapphire RX6700XT 12GB Driver: 25.3.1

Gigabyte X570 Elite Motherboard

Panasonic G9, G7, FZ300

Elynde wrote on 1/3/2024, 2:06 PM

I tried a lot of different editing solutions before I ended up with Vegas Post. Windows Movie Maker in the 90's, Ulead back in the early 00's, Pinnacle until 2015, and Power Director until 2022. Each had their limitations. Pinnacle crashed a lot, didn't render cleanly, and started having plugin problems. I loved PD, but they suddenly ended their partnership with NewBlueFX and made plugins I paid for outside of their program stop functioning. I tried Davinici, but it was too hefty for my laptop during trips. So, Vegas.

Vegas just works (with the exception of the current red/blue swap on my AMD laptop). The interface took me a week to figure out enough to do more advanced edits, and I adore Vegas Effects, and actually had to pull out Vegas Image for a photo gig that Photoshop was going too slow on. I haven't had a lot of crashes or anything, and that's running on a 4 year old desktop that I really need to upgrade or replace.

So, yeah. That review is biased.

Reyfox wrote on 1/3/2024, 3:02 PM

@Elynde the "red/blue" issue is only with Vegas Effects now. My understanding is that the info was passed along. It's only with the AMD graphics. But if you go back to 23.7.2, that issue will not be there.

But your experience reflected mine. After 2 weeks of using the Humble Bundle VP14 Edit, I updated to VP15 Suite. VP21 has had a few "hiccups" every now and then, but the way I edit and with my source material, Vegas, "just works"...

gary-rebholz wrote on 1/4/2024, 3:15 PM

Unfortunately, that reviewer has never liked VEGAS. I've talked to him and given demos, but he still holds his negative opinion. We'll just keep working to get better.

Reyfox wrote on 1/4/2024, 3:18 PM

@gary-rebholz no accounting for his personal tastes in editing software. His bias is well known to anyone who has read his previous reviews.

Newbie😁

Vegas Pro 22 (VP18-21 also installed)

Win 11 Pro always updated

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16 cores / 32 threads

32GB DDR4 3200

Sapphire RX6700XT 12GB Driver: 25.3.1

Gigabyte X570 Elite Motherboard

Panasonic G9, G7, FZ300

set wrote on 1/4/2024, 4:20 PM

leave that guy then.

Setiawan Kartawidjaja
Bandung, West Java, Indonesia (UTC+7 Time Area)

Personal FB | Personal IG | Personal YT Channel
Chungs Video FB | Chungs Video IG | Chungs Video YT Channel
Personal Portfolios YouTube Playlist
Pond5 page: My Stock Footage of Bandung city

 

System 5-2021:
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10700 CPU @ 2.90GHz   2.90 GHz
Video Card1: Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Driver 31.0.101.2127 (Feb 1 2024 Release date))
Video Card2: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB GDDR6 (Driver Version 551.23 Studio Driver (Jan 24 2024 Release Date))
RAM: 32.0 GB
OS: Windows 10 Pro Version 22H2 OS Build 19045.3693
Drive OS: SSD 240GB
Drive Working: NVMe 1TB
Drive Storage: 4TB+2TB

 

System 2-2018:
ASUS ROG Strix Hero II GL504GM Gaming Laptop
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 8750H CPU @2.20GHz 2.21 GHz
Video Card 1: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630 (Driver 31.0.101.2111)
Video Card 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 VRAM (Driver Version 537.58)
RAM: 16GB
OS: Win11 Home 64-bit Version 22H2 OS Build 22621.2428
Storage: M.2 NVMe PCIe 256GB SSD & 2.5" 5400rpm 1TB SSHD

 

* I don't work for VEGAS Creative Software Team. I'm just Voluntary Moderator in this forum.

Steve_Rhoden wrote on 1/14/2024, 10:57 PM

Although his review is long and goes somewhat deep, it is obvious he carries a preferential disdain for Vegas Pro.

It is pointless trying to convince users such as this about any serious improvements Vegas makes, just never gonna change..... The fact that he recommends instead Corel Video Studio and Cyberlink Power Director at the end of his review, speaks for itself !

Reyfox wrote on 1/15/2024, 4:12 AM

There is nothing wrong with Videostudio Pro. It has a lot of nice features for those that want to do something quick. It has a host of templates, robust titling, and if you get the Ultimate version, some nice additional plugins. For the price, it isn't bad at all. For most consumers, it's more than enough, easy learning and timeline playback is quite good. But... it edits "upside down" like Powerdirector and Magix MMS/VPX. So maybe that's preferred method of editing and doesn't need more than that.

For sure, his bias has been showing for years, and hasn't learned much at all about Vegas

When he wrote, "For more modern and complete tools....." and he recommends consumer editors, shows his level of experience in editing with Vegas...

His final sentence speaks to where this reviewer lives in editing...."Vegas Pro offers a full slate of video editing tools, but they’re not organized in a way that nonprofessional enthusiasts can easily grasp." I came from a consumer enthusiast editor to Vegas, and in a couple of weeks, was off and running, being amazed with how fast timeline editing was.

We all have our preferences in editing software. Being a reviewer, you should be as impartial as possible. This person isn't.

Last changed by Reyfox on 1/15/2024, 4:17 AM, changed a total of 1 times.

Newbie😁

Vegas Pro 22 (VP18-21 also installed)

Win 11 Pro always updated

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 16 cores / 32 threads

32GB DDR4 3200

Sapphire RX6700XT 12GB Driver: 25.3.1

Gigabyte X570 Elite Motherboard

Panasonic G9, G7, FZ300