I'd start with 9.0b. Seems to have the fewest problems. Do not use 9.0a

For all the plugins you mentioned, go to their website and download the latest versions. All of those you mentioned (not sure about Velvet Matter) have 64bit compatibility if you need it.

I am going to use 9.0C 32 bit on win 7 32 bit for my first 'real' production tomorrow, and look forward to it.

/Ulf

Please follow up and let us know how it goes with 9.0c .. especially if using still images.

Just out of curiosity, what prompted you to want to move to 9.x at this point in time? It sounds like you bought it, but then didn't install it right away. What version of Vegas are you using? Is there a feature you need that is only in 9.x? Is something broken in your current version of Vegas that is fixed in 9.x? Is your current version of Vegas slower than you'd like, and you hope that 9.x will be faster?

I am not in any way saying you shouldn't upgrade, and in fact I constantly ask myself if I should finally purchase the upgrade.

However, every time I ask myself that question, I go back to the release notes:

9.0 release notes

and when I look at these I am always astounded (flabbergasted, actually) at what an amazingly small set of features are in this release. Only seven new video features were listed in the original release notes linked to above, almost none of which really changed workflow and, except for XDCAM and MXF users, didn't really let you do something you couldn't do before. I remember being especially disheartened when I read the very first item listed under "Workflow" that the user interface had a new darker palette. To me, putting this first on the list (which I assume was done because they thought this was the most important new workflow feature) is the epitome of empty-headed engineering and marketing, the equivalent of the old marketing adage for TV advertising that "if you don't have anything to say, sing it." Well, if you don't have any new features worth a damn, then lead with how great your UI looks. I know (and respect) that this UI stuff floats some people's boat, but I don't see how it can be worth real money to someone who uses this stuff 24/7 (that's 24 days a month, 7 months a year).

So, with that slight OT grumbling aside, what prompted you to upgrade now?

Oh come on John, what about, "Added a Prioritize quality over speed check box..."?

Wait a minute, WTF?

John, don't forget that a software system like Vegas Pro (or any NLE for that matter) is under constant and continuing development. Some new features my have not made it in the initial release of the major upgrade (9.0a in this case), but the program has been prepared for them to be introduced at a later time, i.e. in one of the minor updates (like 9.0c).

Things I like in the 9.0c that were NOT mentioned in the 9.0 Release Notes:

- smart rendering of more formats, and even some mixed-format sequences
- implementing Elastique Pro algorithm for audio time stretch / pitch
- finally fixing the secondary display corruption when playing back pre-rendered avi's
- finally fixing Open Copy in Sound Forge to change the audio bit depth of the resulting take

Yeah, it's not much - but having sold my VPro 8, the upgrade to 9.0 didn't cost me a penny (and the buyer has the 8.0 for a fraction of the price, so it's a win-win).