DVDA version confusion

illusory wrote on 5/25/2011, 9:48 PM
I was trialing Vegas Movie Studio 10 Platinum and DVD Architect Pro 5.2. All the information I have gleaned over a month of testing, about how i can use these programs together, was based on those two trial software versions.When I decided to make the purchase, and bought Vegas MS, i found that the serial number included there for DVDA was for something called DVD Architect 5.0, and the serial number did not work on my installed trial. Ok, I thought, i'll have to buy DVDA Pro separately, but going to purchase it i discovered that you seem to have to buy the $600 Vegas Pro (which I do not need and cannot afford) in order to get DVDA Pro.

Now, this was certainly not at all clear in the trial version process, and I feel a bit duped, especially considering the files i created in the trial DVDA Pro will not load in the purchased DVDA.

What is the difference between DVDA Pro and plain DVDA, exactly?

Is there any quality difference in the resulting DVD? Can I load in my prepared MPG files with their corresponding .wav audio, and still have it render the same quality DVD in DVDA (plain)

And last, is there any way to purchase DVDA Pro without Vegas Pro?

thanks for any assistance,
NJ

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 5/25/2011, 10:09 PM
Downloading the trial version of of DVDA Pro and then buying Vegas Movie Studio ($99) does not constitute being "duped," by any stretch of the imagination.

That being said, there are very few differences between DVDA Studio (that comes with your software) and DVDA Pro (that comes with Vegas Pro). The one limitation that is mentioned most frequently is that 5.1 surround audio is not available for Bluray preparation in the Studio version. Other differences can be determined from the product comparisons on the website, which you apparently did not consult before deciding on your purchase.

BTW, your registration of Vegas Movie Studio entitles you to substantial upgrade discounts on the Pro versions.
Steve Grisetti wrote on 5/26/2011, 5:38 AM
I agree. Sony is certainly upfront about what each programs does and what you get for the money.

Here's a comparison chart for Pro and Studio versions of its video editors and DVD authoring programs. The link to it is right on every product pages.
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudiope/compare
BlackMax wrote on 5/26/2011, 12:41 PM
>I was trialing Vegas Movie Studio 10 Platinum and DVD Architect Pro 5.2. All the information I have gleaned over a month of testing

Hmm you should be an expert then on the diffs?

>What is the difference between DVDA Pro and plain DVDA, exactly?

If that chart doesn't give you the detail you want (and it didn't for me) your best bet is to download the PDF files of each user manual and compare them side-by-side.

>Is there any quality difference in the resulting DVD?

I doubt they use different codecs, i.e. the output oughta be the same.

>And last, is there any way to purchase DVDA Pro without Vegas Pro?

Not to my knowledge.
Steve Mann wrote on 5/26/2011, 7:44 PM
One difference I am pretty certain of is that the AC3 encoder in studio is not as good as the AC3 encoder in DVDA Pro. (The clue? In Sony Vegas Pro you can select either the Pro or the Studio AC3 encoder).
GaryDZ wrote on 5/28/2011, 4:50 PM
Using the "non-Pro" encoder, DVDA 5.2 will not produce a Blu-ray with 5.1 surround. The Pro AC3 encoder will.