I suggest changing the multiple registration mechanism of Vegas to one registration.

You need to get it online and authorize any codecs you plan on using. I assume this is done to cut costs- Magix only pays for licenses for ones that are used.

Failing that, perhaps contact support and see if there is some other option.

Most NLEs and plugins require an online activation. As per @3POINT, how did you activate VP18 in the first place without an internet connection? Vegas Pro definitely requires an online activation at the install stage in order to use the NLE.

Thanks to all of you for the explanation. Our IT security team sequestered my work station, experimented with the initial installation and registration ... made a one time connection to the internet ... then thoroughly scanned my workstation. I and they did not anticipate having to connect again for codec "authorization". Should I assume that every time I import media from a different camera, I'll have to connect to the internet again? Our IT guys are going to run out of patience with me real quickly :-(

Does anyone have a list of what codecs Vegas needs to activate? Are there any render templates that also need activation?

Re constant activations, most cameras these days are using similar files (AVC, HEVC, some still AVCHD). Try to amass a collection of likely codecs and connect. I did this on the first day I used the program and have never seen the screen since. I have a growing collection of file types I'm testing Vegas with (that are mostly variants of AVC and HEVC).

Does anyone have a list of what codecs Vegas needs to activate? Are there any render templates that also need activation?
 

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/vegas-pro-faqs-and-troubleshooting-guides--104787/

FAQ no 10

While you're there, read also FAQ # 11.

Personally, I've never run across any media where Vegas asked me to download and install an additional codec.

Wouldn't this be a possible good solution for installing Voukoder? Or are those codecs included in Voukoder only used for rendering?

Would be a one-time download using another PC and then installing if that's a possible solution.

https://www.voukoder.org/forum/thread/783-downloads-instructions/

Voukoder is using non-licensed or open licensed codecs. Vegas and most other NLEs pay for the codecs used including MPEG, MP3, and probably ProRes, and of course the now gone Dolby AC3.

Voukoder is using non-licensed or open licensed codecs. Vegas and most other NLEs pay for the codecs used including MPEG, MP3, and probably ProRes, and of course the now gone Dolby AC3.

Unsure how that's a problem? What matters is if it works right?

That was factual additional info on the topic. He did not say it was a problem.

Personally, I've never run across any media where Vegas asked me to download and install an additional codec.

Vegas doesn't ask for downloading and installing codecs, it just ONCE asking you to activate an already installed codec as soon as you import or export the first time with that codec. The codecs needed to be once activated are listed in FAQ10.

Voukoder can be a solution to render to several choices of codecs but it is not a solution to decode imported files.

"Or are those codecs included in Voukoder only used for rendering?"

Yes, that's it.

I think Vegas does a call home for a license check around once a month. The advantage of doing that is that you can deactivate a machine in your online Magix account even if the registered machine is toast. And then install and activate to a new machine without support assistance. Disadvantages are you need to be online once a month for the license check and can only deactivate that way a limited number of times a month. Deactivations from a Vegas menu while online are unlimited, however, so you should do it that way if possible. I've only ever seen codec activation upon 1st use of a particular codec, except after I uninstalled and reinstalled Vegas. I know I've seen them for hevc and I think mp3 too.

correction... now calls home every 2 weeks per the FAQ

See @set earlier in this thread (and the comment below that).

Our IT guys are going to run out of patience with me real quickly :-(

A comment only ... if your employer requires you to use Vegas Pro as part of your job duties, surely the IT department should be more helpful in assisting you in getting your job done rather than being obstructive.

Should I assume that every time I import media from a different camera, I'll have to connect to the internet again?

Short answer: NO. If they're using the same codec that has already been activated, there's no need to activate it again.

Hi there, apologies for necroposting - please feel free to split this off into a new thread.

I finally downloaded the demo, l was suprised how quick it was, and realised it's a small file. Google AI tells me that file needs to work with an internet connection.

I do not wish to expose my Windows 10 to the internet, least of all because Win 10 is end of life but also because it's Windows and l've gotten malware whilst doing a fresh install of Win XP before it had completed, admittedly this was way back in 2007-ish and XP was already quite dead, but still, it didn't take long for malware to get on my machine.

I know Linux isn't immune either. My friend, would you not consider that other manufacturers allow offline activation using unique data files downloaded via a user's software registration account? From experience it's not an easy system, my nickname for FL Studio aka Fruity Loops Studio, is "Admin Loops" because over the past 8 years l've only ever really done admin with it (trying desperately to get a PIN code to get into my account, then downloading an upgrade, then upgrading, then downloading a license, then re-verifying license, then desperately trying to make one synth loop without reading the manual, then giving up for another 3 years). So my point is, you will not get torn to pieces by software pirates, it's really hard work to activate offline.

Also, l'd hope few people would be stupid enough to download cracked software these days, with the ransomware threat for example. Same with, say, fragrances, people eventually learn to pay a little extra to guarantee a genuine product. I know nothing will happen overnight but you really need offline activation.

In fact l think it might be a dealbreaker for me, sorry.

I too am necroposting for this same frustration. Since Windows 11 is requiring constant surveillance, I have an internet kill switch that keeps me offline unless I really need it. Using specific software that gets rid of most of the telemetry, like spybot anti-beacon still isn't enough for me and my business.

I just did a fresh install of Vegas and after activation, I was surprised to find that even dropping a video into the UI now requires being online. I tried to render a video........ error message again that I had to activate the mp4 codec. This seems like a HUGE problem for businesses that need their editors to not be constantly leaking private video footage that has the risk of being leaked before the theatrical release date. I'm now looking into other editing software. Does anyone have any suggestions for software that doesn't require a constant online feed?