How about a petition to make Vegas free?

Birk Binnard wrote on 12/14/2015, 11:11 AM
There is a precedent for this: When Microsoft discontinued development and support of it's comprehensive website development program called Expression Web it made the final version available as a free download for anyone who wanted it. This happened a few years ago, but people still use the software and there are several forums devoted to helping active users - including one hosted by Microsoft itself.

Vegas has a loyal following, although the various versions of the software are a bit confusing. So why not post the final version of Vegas Pro as a free download for anyone who wants it? Doing that would allow Sony to make a clean break with Vegas, and would also end all the speculation about "what's next?"

PS: I'd include DVD Architect as part of that free package also - for all the same reasons.

Comments

Jamon wrote on 12/14/2015, 11:45 AM
I think they might be unable to offer it free due to licensing restrictions. It's also too early to expect them to let go of one of their most valuable products. I also think a new Vegas update will be released soon. The previous upgrade was skimpy on new features, and there's so much invested in Vegas with established brand momentum that there's little reason not to release a new version. My guess is they shifted more focus back to preparing the new Vegas update after they released the previous Catalyst upgrade. Then once they've renewed the Vegas name, they'll continue to focus most effort on Catalyst development. Even when Catalyst takes the spotlight as their top video product, they'll have little incentive to give Vegas away, because some people will continue to buy it for years after development ends.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 12/14/2015, 12:43 PM
> "There is a precedent for this: When Microsoft discontinued development and support of it's comprehensive website development program called Expression Web it made the final version available as a free download for anyone who wanted it. This happened a few years ago, but people still use the software and there are several forums devoted to helping active users - including one hosted by Microsoft itself."

Expression Web is tool that exploits proprietary Microsoft technologies like .Net Framework and Silverlight in a world of Open Source technology. It was in Microsoft's best interest to make the tool free because the Internet is moving away from proprietary technologies so this wasn't some good will gesture to Expression Web users... it was a "Hail Mary" play to save their proprietary foothold.

You didn't see Microsoft give away Front Page did you? That's because they replaced it with Expression Web. So Microsoft is not in the habit of giving away technology that they can still sell, but they will occasionally give way technology that saves their business interests.

> "Vegas has a loyal following, although the various versions of the software are a bit confusing. So why not post the final version of Vegas Pro as a free download for anyone who wants it?"

What "final" version would that be?

Sony hasn't discontinued Vegas Pro so you are a bit premature in thinking they would give anything away for free that they are still maintaining and selling. It might be different if Sony discontinued Vegas Pro and was getting out of the NLE business but clearly they are not. Catalyst Suite is their new line of video software tools for professionals. Vegas Pro still has many features that Catalyst doesn't and may never have. I don't see any reason to give anything away for free.

Check you calendar... Sony stopped developing ACID Pro 7 back in 2010. They are still selling it today 5 years later and calling it "your NEW creative partner...". The chance of them giving Vegas Pro away even if they did stop developing it is quite slim. I wouldn't waste any time on a petition.

~jr
Steve_Rhoden wrote on 12/14/2015, 2:35 PM
This post by you Birk is very premature, and one of nonsense.
So i need not say more!
Grazie wrote on 12/14/2015, 2:59 PM
Oh please do, Steve.

G
Allegretto wrote on 12/14/2015, 7:42 PM
Highly unlikely Vegas would ever be free. Take a look at the formats listed in Render As and Open. Most likely Sony has paid to license many of those codecs, so they are not free: Dolby Digital AC-3, AVC/AAC, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MXF, XAVC, XDCAM, etc. Vegas wouldn't be very useful without them.
VMP wrote on 12/14/2015, 7:54 PM
Same could be said about Acid Pro 7.

I don't think a petition or whatever pleade would make any difference.

VMP
musicvid10 wrote on 12/14/2015, 11:55 PM

Ya' can't give away what you don't own.