Just got a multi-page ad from Best Buy which contained a 2 page spread for a Panasonic 3-CCD camera, a VAIO desktop and Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD. The picture on the monitor looks like DVDA. Nice to see the marketing.
I agree. I saw the ad as well, and it's nice to see a familiar face in a national ad.
On a side thought: Does Sony make money on Vegas 5.0? Or, do you think they just plan to kind of "whore-out" the Sonic Foundry stuff. I mean, had Sonic Foundry still ran the show, would they have a $99 package that does SO much for SO little?
I see it as a double edged sword. On one hand Vegas may get some new customers that want to upgrade from Vegas Movie studio, yet on the other hand -- I'd venture to guess that some people might dismiss Vegas 5.0 as just a consumer level editor becuase they see such $99 ads.
I got some version of Pinnacle for free with a $30 firewire card.
I got Nero 6 for free with my DVD burner.
I also got some lame software with my Sony Camcorder.
I got a stardard version of Matchware Mediator 7 which retails for $399. free with my video card.
Once software (or music) is produced, additional copies cost a dollar. It is easy to eliminate (or hide) features to make a cheaper product . The idea is to flood the market and get everyone used to the workflow, stability and value and then upgrade for the "must have" features.
As you can tell from different forums, almost everything is "must have" once you get hooked.