Grazie Goes Vegas!

Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 12:51 AM
Okay Guys 'n Gals, if UPS get it correct and deliver it to me today I should have Vegas Video in my hands in the next 8 hours [now 7:00am GMT Friday 13th - Oooer! Friday 13th - do you think I should be installing it today?].

What I need are some "MUST-do's" and "MUST not's" prior to installing it. Any ideas?

I've cut my teeth on Video Factory and also want to know if I leave VF on the system or will it create problems? Do I need to remove it? I hope not - as at least it is stable - yes?

I've got a Canon XM2 PAL=UK [US=GL2]. I've read on the Vegas KB that Canons hold the BUS and can create a problem. Any feedback on that? I will add that I tested the capture procedure in VF while I was in the camcorder shop - it work. I've also Captured with VF at home now - no problems. Does Vegas have a particular issue with a Canon cammy?

Best regards

Grazie

Comments

philfort wrote on 12/13/2002, 1:26 AM
Welcome :-)
I have both VF and VV on my system, and they work fine side by side...
Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 2:15 AM
Thanks for that Philfort. I really am very excited at the functionality. Just to have the separate Preview on a TV screen really intrigues me. And the rendering efficiency. Any other "bonuses" in terms of getting work done? I'm sure there are - but your with your experience maybe I can get a head start. Yes?

Thanks again,

Grazie

ps - still waiting in for UPS!
PDB wrote on 12/13/2002, 2:56 AM
Grazie,

I was new to Vegas a few months ago...Apart from this forum which is very helpful, I recommend the Vegas forum on Creativecow.net and a few others I don't have the addy to right now...All sorts of tips and best practices to be found there (and here of course). By the way, a really cool guy, Satish, has developed a couple of pluggins for Vegas Video for free and are to be found at debugmode.com I believe...

Welcome to Vegas!
Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 4:27 AM
Thanks PDB... I'll try to give some valuable input to VVers when I've got myh head around it. Yes?

Thanks for the Satish tip - Went there 3 weeks ago - downloaded it - but found nothing in the ZIP file. Odd - n'est pas!

Regards

Grazie

PS: It's 10:26am - Where's that UPS guy with my Vegas Video?..... I want it NOW!
TorS wrote on 12/13/2002, 5:24 AM
Why don't you just download the demo? It's the same thing - only restricted in use until you type in the code you're getting in the box.

Tor
Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 6:40 AM
Don't have Adsl connection yet. Just signed up... will be posting bits 'n pieces on Chieworks site very sooooon.....

Grazie
wcoxe1 wrote on 12/13/2002, 8:57 AM
MAKE ROOM.

While you sit and ponder your fabulous future, you might want to go the START button on windows, click Setup, Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, and delete anything you know you don't need.

Then, from Start, do a Search for *.tmp and delete everything found.
Then, from Start, do a Search for *.~* and delete everything found.

Then, go to the Recyle Bin and Empty it.

All this was in preparation for the next step.

DEFRAG all drives before you install ANY Program.

Then, periodically, defrag again, and again.

Keep the drives clean, and defrag. GOOD INSURANCE.

Good luck, and Merry Christmas!
jetdv wrote on 12/13/2002, 9:47 AM
AFTER you install Vegas, you also need to do some preparatory steps:


After a clean installation of VV3, make sure you go to:

File -Properties-Video and make sure you have the "Template" set for the default DV NTSC (or DV PAL) and also set your "Prerendered files folder" to a video drive you have installed and not your C drive partition. Do the same in the next tab for Audio and set the Sample rate to 48,000. Go to the Ruler tab and select SMPTE Drop frame (or whatever is appropriate for PAL).

Now go to Options-Preferences-General and set the Temporary files folder to your video drive and not your C drive partition. It is near the bottom of the window. Make sure you have "Ignore 3rd party codecs" checked and you do not have "Use MS DV codec" checked. I also use "Make spacebar play/stop" as a personal choice.

Also, go to the Video tab in this menu and set your Dynamic Ram preview. I use 256. Make sure you select 64 mb less than what it shows as your max available. Go to CD Settings and select your drive. I then go to the Editing tab and I uncheck "Enable looping" and I check "Collapse loop region". It is a personal choice. Finally, go to the Video Device and set your Device to OHCI and make sure the box is checked at the bottom for Recompress edited frames.

Make sure that "Options-Quantize to Frames" is enabled and that Ignore Event Grouping is not enabled on the toolbar.

In Vidcap (the built in Video Capture program), make sure you select your video drive to capture to and not your C drive partition under Options-Preferences. There are other settings that will vary with each persons setup. I also shut off scene detection and use deinterlace for still image captures.

Make sure to use the default DV NTSC (or DV PAL) template for prerenders and project renders. Of course some of these settings may differ for each person, but maybe it will help some who are not setting some basic things to begin with.
Frenchy wrote on 12/13/2002, 11:03 AM
Grazie:

Way to go! I have VF and VV on my system w/no problems. (like you, I came over from the VW "darkside"). I use VV and my wife uses VF. I have no specific help on the install - it's been covered above, and was trouble-free for me. One thing I really like about VV is the capture utility - many more options than the VF capture. Check out the "advanced capture" tab - one can log DV tape information (name, clip, rating, comments, etc., and timecode is automatically recorded) with or without capturing. Then you can sort and do a batch capture, if desired. A helpful thread for me was:

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=104702
(See the post from SonicEPM)
Have fun,

Frenchy
tserface wrote on 12/13/2002, 12:24 PM
I have VF and VV on my system as well, but VF is collecting dust and, with it being Friday the 13th and all, it looks a little creepy with the cob webs handing from it's poor little icon. Don't get me wrong, as entry level programs go VF is pretty darn good. Same cool interface as it's big brother VV. Lots of the same transitions and effects. You really can't beat it for the money. However, once I crossed into VV land 3 years ago, I have never been that interested in VF. I guess I should remove it from the system, but that would be like killing an old friend simply because they were not as good as some other friend. I just can't bring myself to do it...

Tom
MyST wrote on 12/13/2002, 12:33 PM
"that would be like killing an old friend simply because they were not as good as some other friend."

Think of it more like getting rid of an old girlfriend, now that you've got a new one. Unless of course, you're the type to keep the old one around, in case the new one lets you down. ;)

M
Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 2:01 PM
I've been away from my screen all day and now have the "Little Beauty" in my hand - Wooooah there!

Big thanks to all have given me some not on-the-manual-starters. BIG thanks to jetdv - now that's an explanation you don't see everyday! Thanks a million.

Phew... it's Friday night.... I've been in London Town doing Shopping stuff with partner.... I'm going to roll up on the sofa with a nice single malt and ZZZZzzzzzzzzz......

Seeyah tomorrow

Grazie
jetdv wrote on 12/13/2002, 2:11 PM
If the box version is not 3.0c, you will STILL need to download the current version. It is best if you have the current version installed.
bjtap wrote on 12/13/2002, 3:02 PM
Grazie,
I asked the same question regarding VF and VV3 on the same computer. Advice I got and followed was remove VF. I don't believe you will miss VF, but you can always keep it on until you can make that decision.
I also suggest you go through the tutorial in the printed manual AND print out the bigger manual located on the CD, it is chock full of information.
Barry
Stiffler wrote on 12/13/2002, 3:13 PM
Hi Grazie!

I don't have much to add, but welcome to the Vegas forum!

If you are making room on your HD, you may want to leave your VF videos there. Vegas will be happy to play with them.
Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 3:38 PM
Yo Stiffy [might I call you that?] - good to see yah!

Jetdv - You mean I'll need to download an extra item - VV 3.0c? I just got it today? Aw c'mon - what's this about? - Hey ho, there goes my telephone budget as well.

Thanks anyway - VV 3.0c is that right?

Grazie
Jimco wrote on 12/13/2002, 3:42 PM
Grazie,

Good to see you here! One thing I've missed from the VF forum since moving to VV is your colorful posts!

Jim
jetdv wrote on 12/13/2002, 4:05 PM
After you install it, check to see what version it is. If it is 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.0b, then download the upgrade to 3.0c. If it already 3.0c then you are all set. There were many bug fixes made between 3.0 and 3.0c. Likewise, 3.0 won't open files made in 3.0c so, since most people are now on 3.0c, you would not be able to open the sample .veg files posted in various places.
Sab wrote on 12/13/2002, 9:33 PM
Hi Jetdv,

I agree completely with your steps for setting up Vegas except for one. On my systems, the only way I was able to get stable DV out to tape was if my prerendered files were on my C drive. While I felt this was peculiar at the time, it works. What do you suppose is happening. I come from the Canopus/Premiere camp where the temp files always went on the video drive and not the C drive. We use removable drives so anything rendered always stayed with the drive. I'd love for Vegas to do the same but it just doesn't on my systems. Any thoughts?

Mike
Grazie wrote on 12/13/2002, 11:30 PM
Jimco - Obviously THAT's why I needed upgrade! Pine no more - Hello - Heeeere's Grazie!! I'm here... hope I don't step on anybody's toes.... larf.....

Just been reading the "manual" and the stuff written in it, would have helped me "flatten" the learning curve when I went through my own VF up-skilling. C'mon SoFo have a re-look at the VF manual and quick Keystroke Charts! IMHO - Give Newbies a better chance.

Jetdv [ now that's a reeeeally Kool email handle - love it!], I'll be set to download and upload stuff when I get on to ADSL [BT Broadband] next Friday and if I need to upgrade to 3.0c I will take your advise - yes? Oh yes people, once I'm on ADSL - <=£1.00 per day - I'll have continual INternet connection/s - sooooo ... expect more feedback here and on VF AND more often! I just think the option to communicate with my email buddies around the World is very valuable for me. Hey let's face it filming and editing can be a bit insular - if you aint working within a group of like-minded colleagues - yes?

I love these products, the people on the Forum and the medium I'm starting to explore again, afresh with Vegas. Oh yes, my Canon XM2 is outstanding! The flowing images appear to be "right-up" against the inside of the glass TV screen. It's quite unnerving to see one's "footage" truly appearing as real broadcast. And yes, it is a very big responsibility to keep pushing myself to be more professional with this craft - yes?

Jetdv - I'm printing off your advise as I write this. Today I'll install Vegas Video.

Best regards

Grazie
jetdv wrote on 12/13/2002, 11:42 PM
Mine seems to work fine from my video drive. Even if I were to put them on the C drive, I wouldn't leave it at the default. Bare minimum, I would set up a render subdirectory and point it to there. But do whatever works best for you.
jetdv wrote on 12/13/2002, 11:45 PM
Grazie,

JET Digital Video is actually the name of our company. I just shorten it to jetdv for simplicity. Just add .com to check out our website.

Edward
Grazie wrote on 12/14/2002, 2:21 AM
Ed - [ might I call you that?] - your advise helped me through the night!

YES - I do have VV 3.0c

Q1: What is SMPTE? How would it relate to PAL? I've just plumped for 25fps in the Timeline. Yes?

Q2: "Quantize to Frames" - WHo he? What does it do?

Q3: I've got 256 RAM maximum in menu said 157 ? But a default of 64 appeared so I stayed with that. Yes?

Q4: Audio rate was defaulted to 44,100. Left it at that. Yes? What does the 48,000 do to performance? I suspect the higher the Audio rate the better the Audio quality.

Q5: What is the Batch Convertor that came on the INstall disc? Yeah, I know I can RTFM - but please just give me a "nod" in the right direction.

Welllllll..... I think this product is simple the "Canine's Dangle Bits" - work THAT out for yourself!

The undocked Preview screen sitting in my crumby TV screen is Fab! Loads of space to play around with.

I'm now going to "unpack" the December offer Fx's that I downloaded a week ago and use them in VV. OOooohhhh where to start.

Soooo.. I installed on Saturday the 14th NOT Friday 13th after all!

Thanks jetdv for your help,

Grazie

ps: Now where did I put my Canon XM2? [only joking - it's in front of me! ;) ]
JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/14/2002, 8:26 AM
Grazie,

I will try to give some answers as best I understand them:

A1: SMPTE stands for Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers and is the industry standard time code that is used for editing movies. You can learn more about it at smpte.org web site. I don’t claim to understand it but from my music days I know that it’s a way of syncing two devices (i.e., MIDI to MIDI, MIDI to Video, Video to Video) using a standard notation. Not sure how important it is if you only have one device other than a great way to reference each individual frame in relation to time.

A2: I think "Quantize to Frames" keeps your edits at frame boundaries (which is a good thing).

A3: Dynamic RAM preview if great for complex compositing where your computer can’t do a real-time preview. Vegas will render to RAM in order to give you a smooth preview. I have never used this option (just haven’t needed it yet) and wouldn’t worry about it unless you need to use it. I assume the advice is to always stay 64 meg below the max you have to offer. Mine is set to 16MB out of a 127MB max.

A4: For audio sample rate: 48,000 is what DV audio requires. 44,000 is what CD audio requires. If you’re making audio CD’s leave it at 44K. If your making DV video, change it to 48K. Not sure what will happen if you don’t. I assume longer rendering times due to the conversion that must take place. I could be wrong.

A5: The batch converter is really great for all your batch processing needs. How about processing wav files that are in the wrong format. You know, you collect sound FX from the internet but some are 22K samples and some are 44k samples and you want them all to be 48K samples so they’re all ready to insert into your videos without further conversion. You can also use it to clean up the audio in your video. Let’s say you have a low hum on all your video captures. You can run them through a notch filter in batch mode and remove it. Of course, you could also do this in Vegas while you’re editing as well. It’s just a neat utility for doing batch processing. Probably a more practical use is to convert a bunch of AVI files to MPEG files before authoring a DVD. Just drop in all your AVI’s select MPEG2 as the output format, and go to bed (don’t forget to press the “process” button first though). Wake up to a collection of MPEG2 files ready to drop into your DVD. Or start processing those MPEGs while you editing the next batch in Vegas. It’s just a great timesaver for batch jobs. Now if I can just get it to clean my basement.

Now my turn:

I have one suggestion. You might want to disable Ripple Edit. Why? It doesn’t always behave, as you would expect. (...at least it doesn’t behave as I would expect). Play with it and see what you think. It has gotten me into trouble twice because it doesn’t consistently ripple inserts like it does deletes.

Decide for yourself but here’s how I got into trouble. If you are creating titles, and you cut and paste to make a new title so you get all the properties consistent with existing titles, it will push all the existing titles from that point on over when you do the paste. Which means all the titles that you’ve already placed for the rest of your movie are now off by the amount you inserted. Not the desired effect. If you generate a new title it doesn’t do this. It only happens when you "paste" one. As I said, I have messed up my titles more than once by cutting and pasting rather than generating new and didn’t realize it until I rendered, burned a DVD and watched the results (to my horror). The second time it happened, I turned off ripple edits and I don't miss it a bit.

Just something to be aware of. Since I almost never want an insert on one track to move everything on the track over, I keep ripple edits off. I only turn it on when I really need it. Your mileage may vary. ;-)

~jr