My experience is most of the more common FX filters, like levels, color balance, color curves, HSL don't really slow down the render to the point it becomes painfully slow. In fact I did some experiements early on when I was first got Vegas, darn if I can find where I put my notes comparing render times.

As I've hinted at in a couple recent posts is if you are going to render to multiple file types like I always seem to do, one "secret" for lack of a better word is if I render to 'print to tape' via AVI, from the finished project file still on the timeline the initial render as expected is rather slow. However once rendered, instead of rendered again from the project with all the source files I instead close down the project, start a new project and simply drop in the just rendered file, then render from that under the different file type. The process is anywhere from five to eight times faster in my experience. I'm sure I'm not the only one that discovered this little speed "secret" on their own.

That's the best way I've found too, BillyBoy. Once you have a clean .avi "master" then any MPEG.WMV renders are of much higher quality than if the project were rendered directly to MPEG/WMV from the timeline. I didn't know this when I first started using VV3 and was disappointed in the first few MPEGs. This Forum taught me that MPEG/WMV compression of several layers with any FX in a timeline project produces artifacts and what appears to be visual "blems".

I'm always producing several file types from an original .avi master. Clients and friends almost always want several formats to give to their family members and friends. I always show them examples of each option and their application, too.

For example, my client might be fifty something and only want a VHS tape for their parents (not many 70 to 80 year olds have a DVD player!) AND the client wants a DVD for themselves (Boomers love electronic toys!). Boomer's kids might be 20 to 30 and want a DVD (5.1 thank you very much VV4!) AND a VCD or CD-ROM to take to the office and show their friends! This age group may also want a .WMV copy for streaming from their personal website!
Steve