Pre-purchase Questions

dalydose wrote on 9/24/2002, 10:55 AM
I currently own and use Cinestream/EditDV, but started looking at other options when the rumors started that Discreet was not going to continue development of the software. I tried (and hated) Premiere and someone sent me to Vegas Video and I ordered some training package that included VV3LE. So far, so good...I was able to get up and running and put something together without much of a learning curve and I haven't even really cracked the training manual or gone through any of the lessons.

My questions are with regard to the economics and timing of switching. I think I've made up my mind that I will become a VV-dude, but I want to be smart about it. I can keep using Cinestream for complex issues and VV3LE for simpler things until VV4 comes out. I don't want to buy the full version of VV3 and have to pay for an upgrade in 3 months.

Does anyone know any credible rumors as to when VV4 would be expected? Is SoFo good about giving recent purchases a good deal on upgrading? *IMPORTANT* Is SoFo committed to keeping this product active and developed?

Thanks,

Jeff Daly

Comments

John_Beech wrote on 9/24/2002, 11:06 AM
Jeff, I noticed nobody had answered you yet.

First, I know of no rumors (credible or otherwise) about release dates for VV4 - or VV3.0d (it's currently VV3.0c).

Second, I too didn't want to learn a softare package which wasn't going to be continually developed. These guys have a hot piece of software which demand won't permit it to languish!

Third, I think you can confidently purchase VV3.0c, i.e. right now and be very happy you did.

Fourth, in my experience, most software companies are composed of folks who know what it's like to feel screwed because you bought the full thing only to, a short time later, feel like you are being roasted for an upgrade fee.

To this, I have no answer as I don't work for SoFo, but I get good vibes from these guys. Hence, 'I' wouldn't worry overly much about it as I think they'll do the right thing.

My 2¢

John Beech
Chienworks wrote on 9/24/2002, 11:40 AM
I'm not SonicFoundry either, but here are my observations:

Generally there is no prerelease notice of the release dates either for new versions or for updates. They arrive when they arrive. There may be lots of speculation, but it's not something you can count on.

I don't know SonicFoundry's specific rules on this, but often if you buy a full version shortly before a new version comes out, they'll upgrade you to the new version for free. Don't quote me, but it may be something like 30 or 60 days (i'm just guessing).

Even after the "freebie" period, often the upgrade price is small fraction of the full package price. I've seen upgrade prices from one version to the next of the same package in the $99 to $149 range quite often.
Tyler.Durden wrote on 9/24/2002, 11:48 AM
Hi Jeff,

I can understand your aprehension regarding a purchase considering what the discreet edit* owners/operators have been through recently.

Looking at the SoFo revenue stream, Vegas Video represents a significant element to the business plan. Unlike edit* which was a small potato to the bean counters and always considered the bastard child of another parent as far as discreet was concerned.

SoFo appears to be solidly committed to Vegas, and the user base is eager to see it succeed.

Not to undermine Vegas' overall value, the investment in Vegas is worthwhile for its audio capabilities alone... and the cost is minimal compared to lines such as discreet's.

Regarding upgrades, SoFo is nearly generous to a fault IMHO.


I seem to recall some rumor around here of SoFo shareholder announcements regarding *something* in early 2003.

HTH, MPH


SHTUNOT wrote on 9/24/2002, 12:42 PM
IMHO it will all come down to how quickly they can get acid 4 together enough to transfer resources to vegas 4 R&D. So I would gamble on a 2nd quarter 2003 release[to get it right]. If your worried just call customer service and ask them.

Personally I can't see you using anything else BUT vegas after you've purchased the full version. From the simple to the complex its that damn good.

Here is another great resource for info on vegas.
http://www.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/select_forum.cgi?forum=sonicfoundry_vegas

Later.
Baylo wrote on 9/24/2002, 1:06 PM
Quote from Sonic Foundry's 10-Q SEC filing for the quarter ended 6/30/02:

"The growth of Vegas Video has somewhat offset the quarter and YTD
declines mentioned above. Vegas Video sales of $442 for the
quarter and $1.6 million YTD are significant increases over the
2001 totals of $122 and $189. A new version of Vegas Video is due
out in early 2003."

Top of page 21 if you want to go looking...

Mark

vicmilt wrote on 9/24/2002, 9:22 PM
Am using VV3 professionally and have yet to come up with anything it couldn't handle, with ease and elegance.
For the price it's untouchable... but for any price, it's already workable.
Don't wait - it's fine the way it is.
SHTUNOT wrote on 9/24/2002, 10:09 PM
A new version of Vegas Video is due out in early 2003."---With acid 4's release so bad it makes me worried as heck if they pull this again. I am willing to wait for the stability!
seeker wrote on 9/25/2002, 2:54 AM
Jeff,

There may be a special upgrade price to upgrade Vegas Video 3.0 LE to the full blown Vegas Video 3.0, but I don't see it listed in my Fall Sonic Foundry catalog. Check with Sonic Foundry to see if your Vegas Video 3.0 LE qualifies you for an upgrade price.
TorS wrote on 9/25/2002, 5:36 AM
This quote is from SF's site:
Upgrade Vegas® Video LE (any version) to Vegas® Video 3.0: $199.95

Tor

David_Kuznicki wrote on 9/25/2002, 6:48 AM
To chime in (although I'm only a Vegas 2.0 user)...

I think that there can be no doubt that Vegas is a great buy... especially considering that you've worked with Premiere. Premiere, comparatively speaking, is difficult, ugly, and not nearly as flexible. I'm a strong believer in Vegas-- the differences between Vegas, Premiere and even Avid Xpress (currently using Avid 3.0... I am SOOOO behind the curve w/ upgrades!) are night and day. Vegas is a great value, hands down.

And that's not even getting into the audio portion of the program, which is, for an NLE, THE most robust I've ever seen.

Will Sonic Foundry support it? No doubt. Will it be buggy? I doubt it. Acid (which everyone, myself included, derides as buggy as hell), lucritive as it may have been, has always been a thorn in their side. Looking back, Acid 3 NEVER got fully patched, 4.0 is currently spotty-- however, I don't remember too many issues when Vegas 3.0 came out, nor when Sound Forge 6 arrived. I don't know what it is about Acid.

IMHO-- this isn't even a choice. You shouldn't be asking yourself 'Do I want Vegas?' You should be asking 'Why haven't I bought Vegas TODAY?'
dalydose wrote on 9/26/2002, 11:28 AM
I think I will find the $200 to upgrade the LE version to the full.

Thanks for the input!

Jeff Daly
Burbank, CA

John_Beech wrote on 9/26/2002, 8:13 PM
Sensible fellow.
David_Kuznicki wrote on 9/26/2002, 8:19 PM
Ahhh... another convert!

Now, all I need is for another couple o' hundred thousand people to see Vegas for what it is & I can ditch my Avid Xpress altogether!

Best regards! You did the right thing!
David.