Jeff,

I'll add a couple things...

1. You'll get the full manual, but in PDF format. You can either print it off at a Kinko's, or buy the printed manual here.

2. The demo has no restrictions except on output. You cannot save any projects, and anything you render has the Sonic Foundry logo imprinted on it every few seconds with audio beeps.

3. Essentially all you're buying is the license code. With that, you can activate and run any build of Vegas 3.0, no matter where it came from (download here, e-mailed from a friend, off the disc, etc). If you ever lose your disc, just come to this site and download another copy of the installation file. All it will ask for is your serial number.

4. It should replace your LE version, but I'm not sure on that. Regardless, you'll still want to download the latest version, 3.0c to ensure you're up-to-date. The installation will probably detect the LE version and ask you if you want to update. If it doesn't, install anyway and remove LE after you're done.

Hope this helps,
Nick

I bought the pre-printed manual from the recommended site on SF.
Definitely worthwhile.
This is a dense program and the book is definitely worthwhile - I'm cutting like a maniac, and still using the manual, after a month of non-stop editing. :)

There's a point about the free utility cd. When you buy the download version you are offered a free cd of extra stuff. I assume that it will be in the box when you buy the packaged version. There is no way you can download that material. They will ship it to you via UPS at your cost. With me being in Norway that would have come to 33 dollars. Probably much cheaper within the US.
If they want to be international, Sonic Foundry needs to think again on that particular part of their distribution scheme.

Also, they claim on their site you can save up to 40 % on buying downloadables directly from SF. I bought my upgrade to Vegas 3 like that and only later realized that I could have had it packaged from Sweden for 17 dollars less, free utility cd and all. That's 50 dollars if you count the UPS thing.

In the words of a great American poet: You'd better shop around.

Tor

I would suggest the boxed version because, I also suggest buying the DV and Audio Production manual. That way your shipping is less than buying separately.

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/products/NewShowProduct.asp?PID=684

You can download some demo pages to browse through.
I just looked at it really quickly, but it seems like it will help me alot.
I got it at the same time as I bought SF6.0 and a couple loop CDs. The shipping to Canada isn't too cheap either, every little bit helps.

M

I bought the DV and Audio Production Manual, which is how I got my copy of VV3-LE so I won't be doubling up on my shipping anyway. From these posts I think I hear the following:

* with the packaged version, I will get an extra CD that I would want to have sent with the downloaded version anyway.
* the demo is save restricted so I will be stuck using LE until the packaged version arrives if I go that route
* buying the manual seems to be worth the extra $$$

I think from this information that it seems as though the packaged version is the way to go. In fact, with this product (the upgrade from VV-LE to VV3) the download and packaged versions have the same cost. The shipping and waiting will be the only extra 'costs' associated with buying packaged version.

Let me know if I'm off base here...

Thanks!

Jeff Daly

Jeff, Let's answer your actual questions one by one:

1. If I order the packaged version, will I get a full manual?

No. You have to print the manual manually or purchase it from e-novels.


2. What are the restrictions of the demo and how long is it useable?

The demo has a few restrictions such as: Can't save, some transitions (like Page Peel) will not work, MPEG Encoding is disabled, I believe Print to Tape is disabled, and I believe it does NOT use the Sonic Foundry codec.


3. If I order the download version, will they keep record of the transaction in case I need to re-download?

The download can be made as many times as desired whether you are registered or not. The download is the exact same for the demo or the full package. Therefore, you can download as often as needed. When you register the product, it will be taken out of demo mode and give you full access to the program. You can also re-register (if you need to reinstall) as needed. Also, once downloaded, you can burn it to a CD for backup purposes eliminating the need to re-download.

BTW - to get the current version (3.0c) you HAVE to download it.


4. If I install the demo today, will it replace my LE version or install completely seperately?

If you want the warm fuzzy of having the box and original CD, I would wait until I received it to install it. However, there is NO difference between the two except for a small manual (NOT the full-blown instruction manual) that is include in the box and, maybe, an extra CD or two. If you don't mind waiting, get the box version but go ahead and download 3.0c and the manual. If you need it NOW, just order the download version.

I may be off base here, but I believe that you will find that the downloaded manual is more up to date then the printed edition. At least the version date (date and time saved) is later. It may make little or no difference, but all you have to do to get the download is print it, which is cheap. Not only that, when the next version comes out, you won't feel so bad throwing away the old manual in favor of the new one.