Just to clarify:

Magix Video Pro X is the equivalent of Vegas Pro

Magix Movie Edt Pro is the equivalent of Vegas Movie Studio

At least that's my understanding. To complicate matters the Magix programmes have different names in different parts of the world. My impression is that the Magix editors are developed in Germany whereas Vegas has stayed in the US with Gary and his team.

You're asking on the Vegas forum, so you're bound to get biased replies.

Video Pro X (VPX) is not exactly the equivalent of Vegas Pro. They each have things that the other doesn't do or does better. Unfortunately, there is no comparison list, so you have to go through the details of each on the Magix site. Even then, you won't see many of the lesser known features of each.

I use VPX and Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium but have Vegas Pro 15. Being used to VPX, I have trouble getting my head around Vegas (it not as simple as users claim).

The question is, what all would the new user expect to do with the program?

For a new user who has never edited video before, I would suggest Vegas Movie Studio or Movie Edit Pro Plus or Premium. It takes a lot of work just to get familiar with these. After a couple of years, maybe look at stepping up.

You mention "regardless of price" but presently, I would say that it's a no brainer. There is a HumbleBundle deal on for Vegas presently that is hard to beat. At the 25$US level, get Vegas Pro 15 Edit, DVD Architect, Vegas Movie Studio, SoundForge Audio Studio 12, and more.

Edit: Here are a couple of threads on the same topic:

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/light-comparison-of-vegas-pro-and-vs-with-movie-edit-pro-and-vpx--105964/#ca655916

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/vegas-pro-or-magix-video-pro-x--105944/#ca655857

Hi Guys and thanks for your feedback. I have been a Vegas Pro user since its first version so obviously I prefer it over all other NLE because I am already familiar with it and find it very easy to use.

My question is for newcomers who want to start with one NLE and keep using it until they master it with no intention to switch to another NLE. Since they will be using it professionally, I think suggesting to start with a cheaper or a consumer based NLE like Fastcut Plus, Movie Edit Pro or even Vegas Movie Studio is not a good idea.

Also, I am not talking here about extras like bundled software and plugins, I am talking mainly about the core NLE, that is why I did not initially mention Vegas Pro, Vegas 365 or Vegas Pro Suite. But, based on the pricing alone, I think EricLNZ is right and Vegas Pro ($349) is the closest alternative to Video Pro X ($399).

Since I do not want to be biased and just suggest the software I am familiar with, Vegas Pro, I want clear pros and cons for both Video Pro X and Vegas Pro. Anybody know where I can obtain that?

"I use VPX and Magix Movie Edit Pro Premium but have Vegas Pro 15. Being used to VPX, I have trouble getting my head around Vegas (it not as simple as users claim)" Well, it is a matter of getting used to, after all. Also, if a certain software is known to be easier than another, it is not necessary true that this will be the case for every body. For example, I find MacOS hard to use comparing to Windows although so many people claim the opposite! Same thing with iOS, as I find it stupid and hard to use comparing it to Android. So I think every person have different logic.

For first time editors each will be a new learning curve. Magix has trial downloads on all the products (to my knowledge) so suggest they try trials of each to find which they are most comfortable with.

@aboammar

As I stated, HumbleBundle deal for Vegas - 8 days left. 25$US gets you Vegas Pro 15 Edit, DVD Architect, Vegas Movie Studio, SoundForge Audio Studio 12, and more. Upgrade from Vegas Pro 15 to 16 is 150$, total 175$, compared to Video Pro X at $399.

For first time editors each will be a new learning curve. Magix has trial downloads on all the products (to my knowledge) so suggest they try trials of each to find which they are most comfortable with.

Well, trying a demo make sense if you already have some background on how to use NLE. Newcomers normally do not have any background thus will need to watch video tutorials on how to use a specific NLE. So, an advice to select a specific NLE is the first step, then after watching some video tutorials and learning how NLE work, they can start later on trying alternatives.

@aboammar

As I stated, HumbleBundle deal for Vegas - 8 days left. 25$US gets you Vegas Pro 15 Edit, DVD Architect, Vegas Movie Studio, SoundForge Audio Studio 12, and more. Upgrade from Vegas Pro 15 to 16 is 150$, total 175$, compared to Video Pro X at $399.

As I said before, price and bundled software/plug-ins are not important at first stage, as I need a comparison (pros and cons) for the core application and that is the NLE itself without any extras.

I've used both VPX8+10 and Vegas Pro 15+16 (amongst other NLEs too)...

They perform a similar role, but some of the differences I can think of off the top of my head (in no particular order):

• There is no obvious way to re-order effects in VPX - if you want to change the order it's a case of deleting all of the effects on a clip and putting them back in the way you now want them. Vegas allows easy re-ordering
• VPX generates background proxies for faster playback perfectly with no user intervention necessary (although you can tweak various settings if you want).
• VPX runs with an internal 16-bit colour (as of the most recent versions) vs selectable 8-bit or 32-bit in Vegas
• Vegas allows FX to be applied at the clip, track or master level, VPX is only at clip level as far as I remember (but it does have a couple of "Master FX" for output colour-correction etc.)
• Both NLEs use OFX, but vendors have to "enable" use of the OFX package in a given NLE - they do this for Vegas as a matter of course, but some don't for VPX!
• VPX tends to be more GUI-based for things like FX, Colour-Grading etc. (i.e. drag-and-drop interface, tweaking FX on the preview etc.) where Vegas often has input boxes for things (although there are plenty of examples of GUI-based things in Vegas and textbox entry in VPX)
• Vegas makes better use of AMD graphics hardware (for acceleration and decode/encode etc.), for NVidia and Intel I think both are pretty similar.
• VPX tends to need less user intervention to make things "work", i.e. no random so4compoundplug-type issues - but like all NLEs it has various bugs (just look at the Magix.info forum for them)
• There are more "presets" in VPX for text effects, motion effects and transition effects, but if you're not into presets and are happy creating your own then that's a bit of a moot point!
• Tracks in VPX a multi-purpose and make no distinction between type - however, if a video with audio is dropped onto the timeline the default is to make a single track with both the video and audio (this can be switched to creating a video track and a separate audio track in the preferences)
• Neither NLE separates the video and audio into separate V1, V2, V3 and A1, A2, A3 etc. tracks above and below a virtual centreline as is the case with Resolve, Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer etc. - they both put an audio track next to the video that contains the audio (assuming the default behaviour has been set to separate video and audio tracks in VPX!)

In terms of core functionality, they're both about the same overall (as are most NLEs) with the ability to cut, stabilise video, perform tracking (as of Vegas 16...), colour correct and grade, do basic compositing (although I think Vegas has a slight edge here) and render out video. Neither has optical flow for fancier retiming or morph-cut/smooth-cut style transitions though, which is slightly frustrating as when it's used properly it looks great!

As others have said though - they're both a bit overkill for first-time editors and not cheap! And picking up on a point of using one NLE from starting out to professional use, (don't flame me for saying this) they may want to look at something like Avid Media Composer, Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve if they intend to work at a studio etc. as these are more "standard" - it's irrelevant if the user is intending to be an independent film maker as then you can use whatever you want! Basically all "pro" level NLEs will get the job done and it's just personal choice as to which "feels" right to the user.

Obviously, this is just my opinion and I'm happy to be corrected on any of the points above! 😉

@jrb101

I agree with almost everything you say.

There is a workaround to the inability of reordering effects. Keep one object with the effects, and use the copy/paste of the effects one at a time to another object. There are a couple of combinations/permutations to this. Slightly more laborious than in Vegas. However, reordering effects brings other problems since one effect affects another effect, as I'm sure you know, so some of the effects would have to be adjusted.

To add to the list, and from what I have seen on this forum and from my limited experience with Vegas 15, here are more differences and similarities:

1. VPX has multiple timelines (movies) on tabs. These can be used for nesting. The nested event can be updated in its movie tab and automatically updates the main movie. Each timeline can be exported as a project. Other projects can be imported as movies on other timelines. Vegas does not have multiple timelines and nesting is done by importing a veg file.
2. VPX has a right-click audio sync feature that usually works very well to sync 2 or more audio (with or without video) objects (events) together. I don't believe that Vegas has this.
3. DVD Architect can be used with both but outside of the VPX. It's superior to what comes with VPX which is, actually, quite good.
4. VPX DVD/BR menu can be exported to PSD for import and modification in Photoshop or Xara, and then imported back in VPX.
5. VPX has up to 9 audio tracks that can be used for multi-language audio for use with DVD/BR. Don't know if this is available with Vegas.
6. VPX cannot do closed-captioning. Don't know if Vegas can.
7. VPX - right-click on a video clip, insert still image at playback marker (or insert still image in range) to create a still image from a video object without having to export to jpg and then import. I saw a tutorial on how to do this in Vegas 13, I believe, and it was not easy. Does Vegas now have a feature like this?
8. VPX does object tracking, but you don't see the path on the monitor, only in the curves. Vegas appears to be much better at tracking.
9. VPX integrates with Xara Designer Pro X or Xara Photo & Graphics Designer for creating animated or static overlay graphics or masks (feature broken in current version of VPX, grrrrr) aka rotoscoping. I have 2 tutorials on this if anyone wants to see how this is supposed to work.
10. VPX can be run in master/slave slave/master with Samplitude Pro X, for overdubbing and scoring.
11. VPX has a BPM Wizard, aka Remix Agent that helps identify the BPM of an audio object and place snap markers on the beats to assist in cutting to the beat.
12. VPX has Travel Route Animation for mapping/animating routes on various types of maps.
13. VPX has access to an older limited version NewBlue Titler EX; there is no plugin for Titler Pro available.
14. VPX can create panoramas of up to 6 photos. Don't know about Vegas. A pan studio is available from Magix for more than 6 photos, but it's a SAL, so could be used for both Vegas and VPX.
15. VPX - drag and drop objects from Windows Explorer to the timeline; object automatically inserted into the Project Folder. Does Vegas allow this? In Vegas, I have to drag and drop to the project folder and then import to the timeline.
16. VPX comes with and is integrated with Xara 3D Maker for creating static and animated 3D (extruded) titles and logos.
17. VPX can use an external image editor for editing photos (normally done before using an nle). I use PaintShop Pro. The original image is modified and updated on the timeline in VPX. Don't know about Vegas.
18. VPX and Vegas both can use external audio editors for cleaning and mastering audio objects.
19. VPX has a SoundTrack Maker feature with different styles, moods and emotion changes.
20. VPX - no plugin for SmartSound Sonic Fire Pro, unfortunately.
21. Vegas has scripting, VPX no. However, effects and effects curves, collages, titles, etc. can be saved and reused in VPX.
22. VPX overlays video/images/titles differently from Vegas. In VPX, the background track is always the lower numbered track, so a video clip would go on track 1 (its audio on track 2) and then any overlays, PiP and titles would go on tracks 3 and above. Visually, the tracks have 1 at the top, so you have to understand that 1 is the bottom of the heap. In Vegas, you have to insert tracks to make overlays; the background track is the higher or highest numbered track. Visually, the top image, like a title, is higher on the screen.
23. Moving the playback marker is different between the VPX and Vegas. In VPX, grab the top triangle of the playback marker and drag, just click somewhere else on the timeline in the top of the playback marker zone. In Vegas, dragging the top of the playback marker creates a zone, I believe. To move the playback marker, get the double-arrows on the playback marker vertical, then drag (I had to look that up in the manual as it was definitely not intuitive).
24. VPX has an Import tab that basically recreates Windows Explorer. Objects that have been imported to the timeline or Project Folder have a light on them in the Media Pool. Objects can be opened in the Source monitor from the Media Pool Import screen, and trimmed before importing. Virtual folders can also be linked for quick access. I haven't looked at all of this in Vegas.

I have seen many comments on this forum about difficulties with some third party plugins, mainly NewBlue, not working properly or not working from one version of Vegas to the next. I have not had this problem with VPX. Plugins from several versions ago of VPX and even those from old versions of Movie Edit Pro continue to work in the latest version of VPX. However, there is presently a bug with keyframing HitFilm plugins.

A new version of VPX will be coming out this summer. I have no idea as to what the new features will be.

Again, it would be helpful to know how the user intends to use an nle for professional work. Making movies with a lot of effects is quite different from doing weddings with few effects.

"VPX cannot do closed-captioning. Don't know if Vegas can."

Yes.

"VPX - right-click on a video clip, insert still image at playback marker (or insert still image in range) to create a still image from a video object without having to export to jpg and then import. I saw a tutorial on how to do this in Vegas 13, I believe, and it was not easy. Does Vegas now have a feature like this?"

Yes, in Vegas Pro there is an Event Button which does this, so it's a one-click-option.

"VPX has a BPM Wizard, aka Remix Agent that helps identify the BPM of an audio object and place snap markers on the beats to assist in cutting to the beat."

Not a native Vegas Pro feature but Vegasaur offers this feature. And who uses Vegas Pro without Vegasaur … :D

"VPX has Travel Route Animation for mapping/animating routes on various types of maps."

Again, not a native feature but there is a free Route Animation plug-in for Vegas Pro.

"VPX - drag and drop objects from Windows Explorer to the timeline; object automatically inserted into the Project Folder. Does Vegas allow this?"

If "objects" means video, audio, grafic, etc.: Yes.

"VPX can use an external image editor for editing photos (normally done before using an nle). I use PaintShop Pro. The original image is modified and updated on the timeline in VPX. Don't know about Vegas."

Possible via Scripting/Vegasaur.

"VPX has an Import tab that basically recreates Windows Explorer. Objects that have been imported to the timeline or Project Folder have a light on them in the Media Pool. Objects can be opened in the Source monitor from the Media Pool Import screen, and trimmed before importing. Virtual folders can also be linked for quick access. I haven't looked at all of this in Vegas."

More or less this conforms to the Vegas Pro concepts of Explorer/Project Media/Trimmer.

"I have seen many comments on this forum about difficulties with some third party plugins, mainly NewBlue, not working properly or not working from one version of Vegas to the next."

In most if not all of the cases these has been licensing restrictions of bundled plug-ins which has been part of a special bundle offer.

@Marco.

Thanks for your clarifications.

Yes, "objects" means video, audio, graphics, photos, etc.

I haven't run into any licensing restrictions with VPX plugins, but it seems that some people have with Mercalli V4 where in some cases it seems that there was a 2-year limit.

Vegas has access to more third party plugins than VPX.

@jrb101, @john-brown and @Marco. Thank you so much for your detailed contribution .. I highly appreciate it 👍👍👍

"I have seen many comments on this forum about difficulties with some third party plugins, mainly NewBlue, not working properly or not working from one version of Vegas to the next."

- This is not my personal experience, on the contrary, VPX generally gave me more issues with NewBlue than Vegas.

I made some comparisons in the past, and have not renewed VPX due to issues I had, and the fact I prefer to focus on one NLE to upgrade and be proficient at.

That said VPX is not bad per se, I liked some aspects of it, but to me OFX support was not as good as Vegas (maybe it has improved), keyframing was troublesome at times, FX parameter setting was a scrolling hell, stability an issue from time to time, and it lacked scripting.

Scripting is something I start to like and appreciate more and more, especially since I adapted a script to do something I was missing in Vegas.

@bitman

Magix changed the OFX interface and it's much better now. I haven't had any problems recently with NB OFX, but some users have reported problems. There is currently a major bug (been there for more than 6 months) for the HitFilm plugins - keyframing X and Y causes X to go to almost infinity. Magix has not been very active in fixing reported bugs.

@bitman

Magix has not been very active in fixing reported bugs.

Maybe they are busy developing the new Vengas Post, I hope.

The MAGIX VEGAS Pro changelog here. I believe @john-brown means the other side.

VPX11 came out today. The most interesting thing is the new video engine developed by Magix and they added in Vegas Stabilization. They also fixed most of the bugs, but not all.

Indeed, got an invite to upgrade. VPX and Vegas are growing towards each other it seems!

I whish next Vegas got the tabbed/ project nesting thingy from VPX!

I think they definately should merge the two software teams and create a more powerful one with one software. This way they could keep up with the developement easier, bug squashing, support, new features and get an even better software that would get ahead of the others on the market. It makes no sense for Magix to produce two competing software on the same user level.

Consolidate and grow!

That might sound easier than done though. The two teams are in different countries, speaking different languages, and maybe burning for their own thing. So perhaps not so easy to just merge. But anyway I think it's the way to go.

Don't forget Vegas Movie Studio, it is basically Vegas Pro geared towards new users. It isn't as fully featured as pro, but is simpler in some ways as far as learning curve goes. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with Video Studio X, though I wish Magix would take whoever is working on that app and dedicate them to the development of Vegas Pro and VMS, it doesn't make sense to have 3 different NLE apps, in some cases competing with each other. It just causes confusion much like you are expressing here.

 

 

You are very right Sir. Why MAGIX is making different versions of video editors. Ok each version might have been meant for each category of users like beginners, pros etc., then IF MAGIX mentions the usefulness to the category of users like, like Vegas Movie Studio (for beginners), Vegas Pro (for professionals) etc., it would remove the confusion.

@aboammar - Why are you asking?