In order to get "upgrade pricing", you need to be a registered user. Whether VV3.0 is on your PC or not is irrelevent. As long as SoFo can match your serial number to your personal info, you're in. I think sometimes people get hold of a "slightly used" serial number just to get the cheaper upgrade price. When they call SoFo to complain because the serial number isn't any good, SoFo needs to see your personal info matched with that serial number. If you live in New York, and that number has been registered in Taiwan...Oops.
So, the download is a product in itself. It doesn't need the previous version to install properly.
If people are going for the reduced upgrade pricing, they just need to be able to prove that they're the owner of that VV3.0 serial number.
The upgrade is NOT more expensive. For registered users the price of Vegas 4 + DVD Architect with the AC3 encoder is only $300! (Until March 15th) Unfortunately I can't afford it at the moment. Praying that by March 15th a miracle happens . . .
Just clicked on the link, entered my registered serial number for VV3 and ordered VV4 + DVD for $299 + $9.00 shipping via UPS. Estimated shipping date is March 10.
I would rather have the CD, so I'll wait.