Chienworks is right, this is normal, but I have to agree with Daniel that it doesn't make sense. Whether or not they are put to use is beside the point...a pro version of a software package should include everything the stripped down version has, plus extra and unlocked features.

I recently helped a friend upgrade from Screenblast Video Factory 2.0 to the newer full version of Screenblast Movie Studio 3.0 with DVD authoring ($29.95 upgrade). Much to my surprise, when he received the CD, the DVD authoring application turned out to be Sonic's MyDVD Version 5.0, not a lesser version of DVD Architect. Sony is bundling a completely different product in with what used to be VideoFactory 2.0 from Sonic Foundry. This explains the difference in the number of DVD templates. Trust me, the templates in MyDVD are a bit underwhelming. It is, after all, an entry level product. Hope this helps.

I'm of the same opinion. Considering how much Vegas+DVD costs compared to the "consumer level" packages, the average buyer has not only a desire to create a unique product rather than a "canned" one, but also the ability to design his own backgrounds, buttons, etc. Heck, I'm actually closer to the consumer level rather than the professional level, and I've never even used any of the themes / templates packaged with DVD Workshop, Pinnacle Studio, TMPGEnc DVD Author or DVD Architect. Frankly, I find most of the designs extremely hokey. ;-)

Rob

I like making my own Themes. Download the theme specs from this site, open your photoshop and play away. It's looks terrifying at first but when you start reading it is all real easy.

Best/Tommy

On the same principle as Luxo posts about, I was surprised Vegas doesn't output Flash as Screenblast does.

I understand the "pro" desire to design your own themes, etc., but I'd still like to have 40 themes to choose from when I just want to whip out a DVD of some home movies or something. There certainly hasn't been a rush of people submitting theme packages for use in DVDA...
I also concur about the FLASH export. I would really like that that in my $500 video application. I won't have it, but my totally inexperienced sister-in-law ("what's FLASH?") will. Go figure.

I'm just moaning. I'm about as loyal a Vegas user as they get. As a matter of fact, I was in Madison, WI on Tuesday, and I stopped in their offices asking for a job! (no such luck...)

Dan

I agree with both sides of the fence on this one.

I agree with the pros that most of the people who buy a higher end product won't bother with themes.

But for what I have to pay for Vegas+DVD, I expect I should get all the content of the lesser product. If Sony doesn't want to include it on the CD, how about a download from their site with an appropriate registration key?

It's possible that I may never use them. But perhaps even if I don't like them, I may either:
1. Take bits and pieces of them and reuse them in different ways, either audio or video. There's got to be something in there that might be useful.
2. Get some ideas from what the designers have done, use them as examples for what to(or not to) do.

After reading Spot's article on copyrights, I'm wondering where I can find ANYTHING to use for my hobby. Freely usable content, even if it's not quite what I want, is not something to scoff at. Even royalty free stuff can come with an expensive one-time price tag. Since my hobby generates no revenue, I can't spend endlessly.

I'm a new amatuer enthusiast, not a pro, and I don't have the patience or the time to do everything myself. I bought Vegas+DVD so I COULD do all the cool stuff myself, not so I would HAVE TO do all the cool and time consuming stuff myself. I want to pick and choose the stuff I play with, with reasonable fall-back options when time is tight, or I need to throw something on DVD for a friend, or the inspiration just isn't there, or whatever.

I think this is one of the great strengths of the Vegas design: there are presets for all sorts of things; if you don't know enough about a particular feature, you can just stick with the defaults. When you decide to learn more, you can use those presets as examples of how to do it, and begin changing it from there. It allows you to "learn as you go", only tackling new topics when you are ready to try something new out. More DVD templates fit the same bill; as both fall-backs when you aren't rady to tackle something yourself, and examples when you are.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

-Jayson

....a pro version of a software package should include everything the stripped down version has...

Strictly speaking, I don't think that the DVD portion of Screenblast Movie is a "stripped down version" of DVD Architect. Isn't it a completely different product?

Rob