Personally, I do render to that little 3" screen a lot as it is quicker than rendering to something else, especially when you watch it afterwards and relise that you made a stupid speeling mistake.

Where the hell is the upgade to the titling capability? That should have been one of the highest priorities. Vegas has the lousiest titling of any NLE. Even sub $100 NLE's have better titling capabilty. I can't believe they can look at the competition and not see how weak they are there. You can't even do a drop shadow in DVD Architect. I'm tired of having to use third party titling software and just can't afford the extra time it takes. I think it time to switch to another NLE. Sony, I'm extremely disappointed and upset about this upgrade!!!!!

Well one thing caught my eye - A/V synchronization detect and repair

Premiere has had this one for a while and several people have asked for this in Vegas over the last releases - so let hope it is what I think it is.

beyond that - not sure. Nothing too amazing in print for now. On the DVDA side - don't see any DTS or Line 21 support listed (Although it would be nice to see Line 21 support in Vegas as well) so right now Encore has the edge as far at that goes.

Also - as a side note/question - I did get a Sony newsletter that talked about Studio and it said it was with "DVDA" and from what I gather the main Vegas flavor will be Vegas+DVD anymore - so is the version 4 of DVDA included with Studio 7 the same DVDA 4 included with Vegas 7? Wondering if it might be cheaper to "downgrade" just to get DVDA 4.

Did I read this right "Multichannel BWF Support:?

Ah, no hang on, we had that before I think. Their idea od "Multichannel' is stereo!

Guess I'll have to actually buy the thing to find out how many channels = Multi.

Bobm

Totally revamped Titler and Credit Roll generator!!!!!!

September Fools!

John

hm...
it seems that the only real improvement is the audio rendering (hopefully AC3 rendering will be hyperthreaded... )

PS and ipod crap has ben there since V6.. and its updates of course..

Im hopign for CPU performance..
Im hoping for some new filters..
Im hopign DVDA4 supports BD and HD DVD... it better .. coz right now the only reasons i have to upgrade is for DVDA4...

I dont know WTF a brush envelope is all about..
XDCam.. well cosndiering the grunt required to run this, im actually glad to hear it....

to be honest, it hik there is more in the bag than what we are being led to believe.. We'll find out soon enough... ive got my upgrae preordered, and as soon as it hits the shores, i'll be there waitng...

Features include improved video monitoring,
((I heard abotu this.. on screen and external at the same time.. ))

customizable window layouts, (Meh.. already there)

color-coded snapping, ((no need ))

improved HDV, SDI, and XDCAM support ((Lets hope this is indeed improved... the only thing killing Vegas in the real world is its rendering time... id liek to capture straight to cineform STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX.. same way premiere does... ))

Cinescore™ plug-in support,
((More than likely, your Veg file will be seen as media within Cinescore... accessed the way we access soundforge now ))

A/V synchronization detect and repair,

((thats already there..))

playhead scrubbing, ((Is that new word for tape style scruibbing? LOL))

drag ripple and arrange, ((Already there)) source project editing ((already there... ie embeded timeline tweaking..)), and auto-frame quantization.((Dunno if i want it to be automatic... specially when muticamming using audio syncs... ))

• Superior audio control: Vegas software provides the ultimate in audio flexibility, including unlimited tracks, 24-bit/192 kHz audio support,
((So long as it changes the bitrate to the cards native bitrate.. as an example, a soundblaster card WONT play back a projct if its using 44.1.... u have to change it.. lets hope on the fly 44.1 to 48k resampling of mp3's doesnt crash...Also want better asio support.. ))

on-the-fly punch-in recording,
((Isnt that already there?? ))

5.1 surround mixing, ((Meh...))


effects automation, ((Been there done that.. ))

and time compress/expand. ((yeah, we know.. ))

Apply over 30 customizable, real-time audio effects including EQ, Reverb, Delay, and more. Vegas 7 software natively supports VST audio plug-ins—expanding your audio processing and mixing options.
((nothign new here.. ))

• New! Full-featured XDCAM workflow: Vegas 7 software provides all the tools needed to edit proxy and full resolution HD and SD XDCAM MXF files natively, and supports all frame rates and aspect ratios, mutichannel audio, EssenceMarks metadata, and all HD and SD XDCAM compression types.

((ok if it can support Native, why would i want to work in proxy.. is this a hint that its not as grunty as they lead us to believe? ))

• Comprehensive HDV support: Includes support for high performance native HDV M2T playback, and 601/709 color space handling. Superior SD down conversion and frame rate conversion including 24p, and precision up conversion for HD-SDI mastering.

((does this mean the interpolation engine has been improved?? friggin hope so... Its too soft... ))

• 5.1 surround encoder: Output high fidelity surround mixes by encoding 5.1 multichannel or stereo mixes with Dolby Digital AC-3 encoding software. DVD Architect 4 software also imports AC-3 files for the creation of multichannel 5.1 DVDs.

((bummer, no support for 1.0, 2.1, 3.1, 4.0, 5.0... i guess were stuck with the same ol encoder... ))

• Customizable transitions and effects: Vegas 7 software includes over 190 video effects and 175 transitions—
((hmm... i only count 47 native filters in V6... not including my 3rd party plugs... maybe there IS hope here.. unless they intend to call preset chains effects... i also only count 23 native transitions.... i certainly hope theres not too much cheese....))

all fully customizable. Effects include: Film Effects, Chroma Key, Timecode Overlays, Media Generators, Credit Rolls, Text Effects and more. Use transitions such as: Clock Wipe, Dissolves, and Page Peels.

((WOW!! PAGE PEELS!!!!!))

• Advanced 3D video compositing: Create compelling 3D video and text effects, with control over Z-depth, plane intersection,

((Wonder if theyve improved the Keyframing?? maybe implement the same surround auto keyframe engine into teh bezier masking.. click and drag and it writes teh keys.. then once completed, like Particle ilusion, u can smooth it out... now THAT would be a major improvement.. ))

compositing, and more. 3D motion is real-time and previewable via i.LINK® connector1/IEEE-1394 hardware to an external monitor.

((yeah, but runs likie a bag of cow dung.. ))

• VST plug-in effect support: You can use effects to manipulate the audio components of your project. The included audio plug-ins can improve the quality of the audio in your project or create unique sounds. Vegas software supports additional DirectX and VST effects from a variety of vendors. Audio effects can be applied to all events on a track, to busses, or as assignable effects.

((Meh, olld new.. i was using VST plugs in DX environemtns 6 years ago with a plugin called Amulet... worked a treat.. ))

• Broadcast Wave Format support: Vegas 7 software supports industry standard Broadcast Wave Format. Multichannel Broadcast Wave Format files can be opened and edited like any other audio file, or can be imported and auto-arranged on the Vegas timeline based on the file timestamp metadata.

((we'll see... ))

• Tape-style audio scrubbing: You can use scrubbing to scroll playback of your project at varying speeds. A tape-style scrubber above the timeline mimics dragging an analog tape past the playhead.

((so long as the speed is consistant.. ))

• Project nesting: Use project nesting to add a Vegas project (.veg) to the timeline and edit and apply effects the same as you would a standard media event. This feature can help you streamline your project workflow.

((Yeha if it doesnt crash... ))

• System-wide media management: You can use the Media Manager window to search and manage your collection of media assets so you can easily find the right file for your Vegas projects. The Media Manager maintains a database of your files, including attributes, ACID metadata, and tags that you can assign to classify your audio and video clips.
(( yeah well... ))

• Powerful DVD authoring: Create DVDs with multiple video angles, subtitles, multiple languages, and running commentary. Apply image-correction filters to fine-tune still images and video. Filters include Brightness and Contrast, Levels, Auto Levels, Crop, and Anti-Flicker. Set CSS and Macrovision® copy protection flags when creating masters. DVD Architect 4 software also supports the latest devices, including dual-layer DVD burners.

((yeah but what about friggin HD DVD and BD??))

• Adobe Photoshop layer support: For the ultimate in control over the appearance of your DVD project, you can import an Adobe® Photoshop® (PSD) file to create menus, buttons, and more.
((ok... not that i do this.. i dont.. ))

• Multi-angle video selection: Add video tracks to allow multiple viewing angles of your DVD project. During playback, press the Angle button on the remote control to change angles. You can add up to eight video tracks for each title.
((yeah.. go on... ))

• Multiple Subtitles and Audio Tracks: Add up to 32 subtitle tracks and up to 8 alternate audio tracks to aid the delivery of your project in multiple languages.

• Animated buttons and menus: Spice up your DVD interface with animated buttons and menus. Use keyframes to create moving buttons and special effects.
((Bout time.. ))

• Buttons on Video: Add interactivity to your DVD programs by adding button links directly on the video for easy navigation to other areas of interest on the DVD.

((Another bout bloody time. so long as we can draw teh button freehand.. like a bezier mask... ie, trace an area of the video or image frame and allocate THAT as the button... ))

filmy,

A/V synch tool is in Vegas 6.0. Best feature in that update, for my money.

See you Vegas!!!! I think think the features we saw described for v7 are a joke!!!!! I'm off to PP2 along with prospectHD!


PSP capabilities.....I can't stop laughing!

The sky hasn't fallen yet. We havn't seen the product yet. This reaction seems to prevail at every prerelease of the new version.
See the product, if it fails your commercial needs (amateurs I think are well catered for in every version that has come before the new one), then jump ship.
Sony will get the message quick and lively if sales dive. Their new version would be a commercial disaster. I am sure the development team is well aware of this and make every effort to make sure the new version is going to meet the expectations of existing clients and bag a heap of new ones.
Any rantings about the new version are just that. Can't be changed, it's in the can! When the reality hits lets evaluate then.
Mick.

I think what happens is a vicious cycle of:

a) Sony makes minor "brush ups" to each new release of Vegas, which are enough to get "the faithful" like us (only) to upgrade...

b) Sony sees sales are not what they wanted, so they

c) Don't allocate more financial/manpower resources to programming and marketing support, that would create "breakthrough improvements" in Vegas, resulting in..

d) Lack of significant new features in new vegas upgrades, which lead to lack of new sales..

and the cycle continues..

What I'd suggest to Sony is that they "take the plunge" and try to develop an "NLE category killer" boost to Vegas and make it more competitive with PP and other high end NLEs, and offer two versions, (3 total including movie maker).

They might be surprised by the significant sales boost, if they REALLY make some significant improvements to Vegas, vs just doing a touch-up paint job for each new release.


My honest .02,

Ken

Ken,

I agree with much of what you said. In my opinion, Vegas has improved slowly but steadily since I started using V3. I give credit to the steady abcd upgrades and fixes to each version along the way too. I fear Sony may do to Vegas what IBM did to Lotus 123 (because of the cycle you describe) and that's unfortunate. I hope we're wrong about that.

Sab

>>>A/V synch tool is in Vegas 6.0<<<

it is? I did not know this - i don't recall seeing anything on it and people still talk about material slipping out of sync with Vegas 6. I don't think it is built in - sure you aren't thinking about a script?

P.S - I did some looking and I did find the little "sync" right click thing but I don't recall this being "advertised" as a "A/V synchronization detect and repair" feature. Plus for the hack of it I loaded some random things on a timeline, moved them all over and could not see anything out of sync and when you right click on somehting the options to resync are greyed out.

In premiere you can sync items by "linking" them, as opposed to Vegas where you "group" items. Premiere has a group option as well but also you have the option of syncing by timecode...which Vegas does not have. So maybe this is what I am misreading the Vegas 7 feature of "A/V synchronization detect and repair" as. Currently if you move audio and video around in Vegas you can not tell the audio to sync up with a certian time code and we have talked about this several times in relation to EDLs in Vegas - namely that once you drop things on the timeline Vegas seemingly ignores the timecode info and goes off of first frame.

So as I mentioned I dopped some things on the Vegas timeline, "grouped" them, cut them moved them around, ungrouped them and than tried to resync the items - couldn't do it. Also tried with a "locked video" and audio - dragged the audio away from the video but the sync options were greyed out. In Premiere I can unlink the video and audio cut up the video, cut up the audio than resync using timecode and bam - back in sync.

or am I totaly missing something here?

filmy:
It is. It may have came in a 6.something update.

Ungroup an AV clip and drag the audio left/right and let go. Vegas will let you know that the clip is out of sync. You can then right click and rectify things.

It's there alright, just slip some A out of sync with the V and RClick it!

But really that's a little lame, what's been complained out is the way Vegas doesn't treat A/V pairs properly, they should require serious effort to get them out of sync in the first place.

And for a laugh try deleting just the vision of an A/V pair, Vegas says the remaining audio is way, way out of sync, wierd. So if you do this a lot like a did in a recent project you end up wtih so much red audio you could never tell if it was something that should be in sync off or just Vegas loosing the plot.

Bob.

Bob and Glen - as I was editing my post above you both answered. I can't get anything to resync - read my "PS" on my post for what I did.

I called Sony customer support and they told me Vegas 7 would be out Sept 7th, next Thursday

Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis?

<edit>
I saw this is another thread:

"It seems that Sony has confirmed that Vegas will be released at IBC."