Do I need to prepare my source files for use in VegasPro?

paul-s8540 wrote on 1/2/2025, 6:08 AM

Hi Everyone,

I have a large number of downloaded video files that I'd like to use to create a project(s) with. How can I find out if they are all compatible with VegasPro? What I'm trying to understand is if I need to do any re-encoding or processing of the files before working with them in Vegas to ensure that they all work/play/render properly in my project(s).

The majority of the files are H.264 MP4 files, but there are various codec types, for example:

Baseline or Main or High / LX.X

When using downloaded source files which have uncommon properties, should I :

Use something like handbrake to re-encode all of the source files before using them in a project?
If so, what codec (& other settings?) would be appropriate?
Will the re-encoded files be of a lower quality than the downloaded files?

Comments

set wrote on 1/2/2025, 7:23 AM

I personally just try drop directly to VEGAS Pro, and then test playback.

When the media plays correctly, no flicker etc, then it works ok.

If not, then re-encode.

paul-s8540 wrote on 1/2/2025, 8:33 AM

Thanks, I was just wondering if there is a way to detect which of my source files would need to be re-encoded before starting a project, rather than having to test each clip, and so that I don't have to mess about with re-encoding stuff when I'm in a creative flow.

alifftudm95 wrote on 1/2/2025, 8:44 AM

If you priorities smooth playback, you gonna need to transcode the media into intermediary codec like ProRes. However, you will need a massive storage to accommodate such massive files. This is pretty normal in Post prod. 30second ads sometimes came in with 800-1TB raw clip in sizes.

In VEGAS, you can use the software as transcoder by itself. Just drop all of the entire clip across timeline and use the batch export function. Make sure to select ProRes 4:2:2 before exporting.

You can watch this tutor and apply the same principle as I mentioned.

H264 is a compressed file, they dont playback very well on paper. However, from my experiences, today computers hardware are more than capable to read H264. Tho, if your project get lil bit complicated/stacking it will slowly and surely bog downs on you. I always made Proxy if the H264 clip is beyond 4K.

So far only H265 (HEVC) are the worst file to dealt with. I dont even try to make proxy for it, just transcode the files into ProRes. No computer (Except Apple M1/2/3/4 Chips) able to decode these files natively using hardware.

RogerS wrote on 1/2/2025, 8:24 PM

You may need to take care depending on how the source file was created to begin with. Can you share the exact settings and software you used?

MediaInfo can help with this, too: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-how-to-post-mediainfo-and-vegas-pro-file-properties--104561/

RogerS wrote on 1/2/2025, 8:26 PM

@alifftudm95 What do you mean, all current GPUs can decode h265 (HEVC) in hardware. VEGAS is also handling these files much better than in the past.

Transcoding to ProRes is a fine thing to do though, so not disagreeing with that especially if you have a few of these files in a multicam setup.

alifftudm95 wrote on 1/3/2025, 7:49 AM

@alifftudm95 What do you mean, all current GPUs can decode h265 (HEVC) in hardware. VEGAS is also handling these files much better than in the past.

I don't get a good playback for HEVC on all NLE (VEGAS/Resolve/Pr) on my spec out (Kinda) PC. I feel the stats stating certain CPU/GPU can play HEVC are not translated correctly to true world. Yes, it will play smoothly if you just lay it out in timeline, but once it gets a bit more complicated in the edit, things start to drastically slow down.

And this almost true to all other mutuals that using the latest and top of the line Windows Hardware. (Ryzen 9/ i9/4090/7900)

Only Apple M series computer able to decode/encode HEVC like nothing, cuz I personally tried it before and its mind blowing.