It's not a matter of being "ADULT" like or "CHILD" like. Come on, even Micro$oft mentions things in advance of plans they have for their programs.

All I was referring to is whether or not DVDA will have a life in the future. That's it. I'm not asking what features it will include, etc...

If money was no object I WOULD go out and find something else. In the meantime I try to work around DVDA's difficencies in the hopes that they (SONY) will not shelve this program.

As for VEGAS, it's obvious that SONY will continue marketing it. Unfortunately, as for DVDA, it doesn't seem so sure.

In view of all this, I thought my question seemed quite reasonable, namely, is there a future for DVDA? I personally hope so, but it's not my decision.

Sorry if you feel differently.

All I'm saying is any number of people have asked the same question.
Has Sony responded? No.

So in my opinion it isn't very adult to see one person after another asking when the next version is coming, what will it have or even if there will be another version. Its like kids in the back seat of the family car on a long trip asking every every five minutes are we there yet?

Like that situation we'll get there when we get there. Someone asking every few days if a new version is coming soon is basically doing the same thing. Yes, its starting to get annoying.

I have never read any suggestion that DVDA is to be scrapped.

Why would a video editing software company choose not to have DVD capability?

The only possible reason for scrapping would be if it's features were incorporated into Vegas, and there are arguments for and against that.

Unless you have clients wanting multiple angles / soundtracks, definable end actions etc.right now, it is perfectly possible to design impressive DVDs within present parameters.

<<It's not a matter of being "ADULT" like or "CHILD" like. Come on, even Micro$oft mentions things in advance of plans they have for their programs.>>

And they sure get a beating when they miss the date.

BillyBoy writes <<So in my opinion it isn't very adult to see one person after another asking when the next version is coming, what will it have or even if there will be another version. Its like kids in the back seat of the family car on a long trip asking every every five minutes are we there yet?>>

I haven't asked any questions about when a new version of Vegas is coming out. :-)

But seriously, the reason is quite simple, Vegas is a very complete program, not lacking any obvious features. While DVDA, unfortunately, falls short in a few ways. Consequently, it's the reason for my question, and apparently, the reason others have asked too.

I'd bet even more people think it's not very adult to berate other posters. You're a middle-aged man, we're looking forward to the day you start acting like one.


>So in my opinion it isn't very adult to see one person after another asking when the next version is coming,

Enter the "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" philosophy here. There are choices that should be based on available information. Apparently there is no information available regarding the future of DVDA. Either assume or move on. (just thinking out loud)

It's amazing that clearvu's question couldn't be answered simply without berating him and stirring a debate. It was a reasonable question posed in a professoinal manner. I share his frustration with DVDA.

This isn't usenet!

Alive.

LOL!

Giddyup!

Mike

No David, it isn't reasonable to ask the same question over and over. The topic has come up repeatedly both here and in the Vegas forum. Sony and SoFo before have made it crystal clear their policy is not to comment on the status of future releases. Neither when they will be released or what new features they will have. Its good business policy. Very typical in the software industry.

So people constantly asking and OBVIOUSLY not using SEARCH to see the parade of similar threads all with the same answer does get annoying. Also there is nothing wrong with someone gently reminding them asking every couple days is very much like kids in the back seat of the car asking are we there yet.

If DVD-A doesn't currently meet the needs of some users you have two choices. Either try another product or wait and see what the next release brings. All these phony boloney posts that someone just got to have such and such feature making demands that someone from Sony tell us if the next release will have such and such feature or not is like I said ;very much like kids in the back seat asking are we there yet every five minutes.

Woohoo!

Need beta testers?

-Jeremy

Sonic Foundry, and now Sony, have always had a policy of not saying anything about future features or timetables for new releases. I don't really have a problem with that, it's their policy.

However, the author of DVDLab has a policy of telling his users exactly what he's up to and what new features he is working on for the next release. He will even occasionally post screen shots of the new stuff and ask for user feedback. Personally, I like this approach quite a bit better because it lets me know what direction the software is going AND I have the opportunity to influence its direction. But that's his policy and Sony has a different one altogether. It's just the way small companies work vs. large companies.

With DVDLab, I feel like I'm getting the software I want, with Sony, I'm getting the software they want me to have. Don't get me wrong, I'm not really complaining, I'm very happy with Vegas, but somewhat less so with DVD Architect. I just wish I felt more "in the loop" with Sony instead of just waiting for them to unexpectedly throw me a new bone every once in a while. Sure, I'd like to know what their working on, but it simply isn't going to happen. Although, this policy isn't going to stop me from using their software either.

James

DVD Labs is put out by a very small company Maybe a one man operation. Don't know for sure. So they can afford to say up front what's being worked on in the hopes of driving sales because of it.

Lager software companies tend to not say what is coming out next to avoid having the embarrasement of not meeting a deadline or saying something will be in release X and for some reason it not making the cut. Microsoft is a classic example of doing that and they always catch a lot of flack because of it. No version of Windows has been released on time yet and never has everything in the beta been in the final released version.

While it would be nice to know what's in store, I understand why the policy is there. I also know SoFo in the past and I see no reason why Sony going forward won't continue to listen to their customers and implement many of the requests you see in the forums. They have in the past on top of adding goodies nobody expected.

The fact is right now DVD-A is a good DVD authoring program. Its missing some features. No kidding. I was one of the first to jump on the missing end action bandwagon. But at some point you stop complaining and assume the developers got the message. I suspect they have. So then it becomes a matter of waiting. Some people have more patience than others.

Your comment that Sony gives you software they want you to have verses what you want is again in my opinion SILLY talk. You don't get to be the size company Sony is by not listening to what your customers want and then delivering that product. Maybe Apple. <wink>

I'd for once have to disagree with you BB. I can see now advantage to any company or to its user community to not give some indication of what and when. No one with half a brain is going to hold them accountable if they don't deliver quite eveything they talked about or if its a bit or even a lot late.

Without that information how can anyone make informed decisions?

From what you are saying the only thing we can say with certainty is that DVDA is dead. If we're not happy with it or want more features go buy something else. I can assure you if I went out and bought DVD Producer no matter when and what Sony came up with for the next DVDA release they'd never be getting any of my money again.

Sorry but in my opinion that sort of policy is treating your users with contempt and makes no business sense either. As you pointed out uStuff do exactly the opposite and no matter what you may think of them they are still a very long way away from chapter 11.

BillyBoy,

I don't think it's silly at all. Who of us wouldn't want to influence the direction of our favorite piece of software?

My suggestions implemented in DVDLab = 3 (within days of the request)
My suggestions implemented in Vegas or DVD Architect = 0

DVD Architect has been out for months and still no "end actions," which is a feature request that comes up here very often. We have no idea if it will make it into the next version. Heck, we don't even know when the next version might be released. We know nothing. We take what they give us, when they give it to us. Once again, I'm not complaining, larger companies have to operate differently than smaller companies, that's just the way it is.

It would be nice, though, if Sony would keep us informed as to what they are thinking about implementing. It would be another way to keep a loyal user base.

James.

Amazing how some can twist what I said into something else. Geez guys chill out. All I'm saying is I understand Sony's policy about not revealing plans about future products. Its called running a business. I've run two. I understand. Not only is it acceptable, it is the NORM in the software business.

Do you see Microsoft saying what's going to be included in the next version of Windows? Do you see Adobe say what will be in the next version of Photoshop? For that matter do you see GM or Ford posting pictures of what their 2005 models will look like on their web site? Does Kellogs, Post or General Mills run commericals about the next cerial will be? No?

One more time for the clueless. Our comments here DO influence future features in the next software version. SoFo's track record on that speaks for itself. What some apparently want is instant confirmation that their suggestions will be or not be implemented. That's just wishful thinking, contrry to good business practice and simply not done. So yea, its silly to expect it.

Actually I can vouch for the fact that Sofo people (now Sony of course) do read, listen and take note: it actually happened to me! (I still find it hard to believe...) I posted a suggestion over at the COW to the effect that if a velocity envelope is applied in what was then Vegas Video 3, it made sense (did to me anyway...) that re-sample should be on by default (and changeable per user's needs) etc....Well much to my surprise, someone from Sofo actually responded (literaly posted "noted!") and voilà, we have smart resample. (PLease don't take this a a personal sales pitch or recognition campaign: just trying to put a specific example on the board as to the responsivenes of the team behind these apps)...I wasn't initially going to upgrade to Vegas 4 but I just had to after witnessing what to me feels an incredible customer service by the team. This and these boards make me feel like a priviledged member of a great community of people.

Regards everyone,

Paul.

Get a clue....

http://msdn.microsoft.com/longhorn/

> Do you see Microsoft saying what's going to be included in the next version of Windows?

Interesting link bobojones. "Microsoft", although a "BIG" company surely is letting others know what their upcoming software will evolve to.

And that's more than what I was originally asking of SONY. I'm not wanting to know what DVDA will include in the future. If you read my original post, all I wanted to know was whether or not SONY was going to keep on developing DVDA or move on to something totally different for DVD authoring. And if it is considered "alive", then what is an approximate release date?

I understand that many things can stall the release of software, however, surely an approximate date isn't asking to too much. eg. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th quater.

I think its Bobo that needs a clue.

ISV's are Independent Software Vendors, NOT consumers.

Brian, no matter how you reword it you're still asking the same question: What will be in the next version and when will it be out.

I'm sorry, but this is getting more silly as we go along. Do you seriously expect Sony to say something along the lines of Oh gee-whiz we don't know if or not we'll continue to develop DVD Architect, maybe we'll just come up with something else, or maybe we'll go in another direction or just maybe we'll put a different name on it and jack up the price, we better let everybody know our plans. Or worse should they say: Darn, sales of DVD Architect aren't what we thought they would be so we're going to discontinue. We'll post something to that effect in the forums to be sure to kill any future sales we might have got.

Nope, they won't do either. They told you as much as they are going to say. Its alive. Meaning expect another release. When, I don't know, and those that do aren't saying. That's how the software biz works.