Download or not?

Swede wrote on 8/16/2003, 12:34 AM
I am planning to buy Vegas 4.0 but I have two questions:

1. Should I download or buy the box? What is the difference? I am a newbie on editing, is there perhaps a manual or videocassette following the box alternative? If I download where is the manual?

2. Where shall I buy? Where is it cheap? (I am going to London in september, perhaps you can recommend a store in London where I can buy Vegas 4.0?)

Comments

efiebke wrote on 8/16/2003, 4:24 AM
I purchased most software products by downloading them. I then make a back-up CD carefully remembering to include a .txt file which contains all serial numbers and activations codes, etc.

If I remember correctly, I downloaded Vegas 4.0 and DVDA. Typically, there are a number of files you'll need to download if you purchase a Sonic Foundry (now Sony) product. These files include the actual program file, a manual file (yep! you'll be downloading the manual too), and additional file samples.

Talk about instant gratification. Downloading purchased files is just way cool!

I'm happy with the Vegas 4 program.

Ted
PeterWright wrote on 8/16/2003, 4:26 AM
Also, the manual in the boxed version is a .pdf file, which you'd have to get printed somewhere. I believe some third party suppliers are including a printed manual, though.
IanG wrote on 8/16/2003, 4:50 AM
Things are still up in the air with the Sony takeover and the new release of Screenblast (Sony's packaging of Videofactory), but it used to be cheaper to buy VF and then upgrade to Vegas than to just buy Vegas. Last time I looked at UK prices the box was costing about £1 / $1, and no discounting - an expensive way to buy! If you can, I'd wait 'til the dust settles and then see what's on offer.

Ian G.
farss wrote on 8/16/2003, 7:26 AM
One thing to watch if you do go down the download path is for any of the freebies that get thrown in that are on CD. You cannot download them and silly me paid USD 36 to ship a CD of well, not much really. SoFo did give me the first two of the Vision Loop series (later on) so I'm not gripping but I still wish they'd find a cheaper way to ship.

I'd probably buy more of the Vision series now that they are out but the shipping cost adds 50% to the price and in Australian dollars that gets real expensive.

Maybe if any Australians are reading this that want this sort of stuff we could bring them in in bulk and split the frieght costs.