I work in a business where programmers daily are tasked to keep customers happy - thus addicted. If *I* were running prodad, I would have tasked someone the 4 hours MAX it would take to recode a patch of the VP 14 V4 to work on 15, and given that away to users free, immediately. (honestly, the patch would probably take 30 minutes in reality) 4 hours is NOT a huge allotment of programming time and EASILY WORTH the customer satisfaction they would gain, plus future sales due to respect. I'm not gonna BUY yet another version for 15. I'll probably never buy from that company again. Nor my friends, nor friend's friends....etc

Unfortunately with VP14/15, we lost AC3 encoding capability.

No, you didn't. You can still encode to AC3. You just no longer have the "Pro" encoder (which everyone seemed to modify to work like the "studio" one anyway). So, no you can't change the parameters anymore but you CAN encode to AC3.

I work in a business where programmers daily are tasked to keep customers happy - thus addicted. If *I* were running prodad, I would have tasked someone the 4 hours MAX it would take to recode a patch of the VP 14 V4 to work on 15, and given that away to users free, immediately. (honestly, the patch would probably take 30 minutes in reality) 4 hours is NOT a huge allotment of programming time and EASILY WORTH the customer satisfaction they would gain, plus future sales due to respect. I'm not gonna BUY yet another version for 15. I'll probably never buy from that company again. Nor my friends, nor friend's friends....etc

But the customers in your business example will not pay about $ 200 only a year very likely. That will be another type of business.

But the customers in your business example will not pay about $ 200 only a year very likely.

My personal threshold for an annual Vegas 'subscription update' is about that..$ 200. That's what it's worth to me, after the initial outlay, to continue supporting the ongoing feature develoment, yes. But Not for a relatively simple plugin, like Mercalli. ProDAD would be better off maintaining its customer base through VP15, and when they have a meaningful update to Mercalli V5.0, offer an upgrade path to that version. Everbody will understand once they have a new current version, the previous one will be unsupported (end-of-life cycle). What does that mean in the long term? More happy customers, more income and subscriptions for ProDAD, more ongoing business and future for everyone.

My personal threshold for an annual Vegas 'subscription update' is about that..$ 200. That's what it's worth to me, after the initial outlay, to continue supporting the ongoing feature develoment, yes. But Not for a relatively simple plugin, like Mercalli. ProDAD would be better off maintaining its customer base through VP15, and when they have a meaningful update to Mercalli V5.0, offer an upgrade path to that version. Everbody will understand once they have a new current version, the previous one will be unsupported (end-of-life cycle). What does that mean in the long term? More happy customers, more income and subscriptions for ProDAD, more ongoing business and future for everyone.

100% This.

Calling this a subscription is totally misleading. With Vegas, if you don't pay the upgrade you still have the use of your existing installed version. With subscription, as soon as you don't pay the rent you have NOTHING. That's the real problem; not the price.

When you purchase a subscription to a magazine for example, you can still read all those that you have received. But if your subscription has ended, you won't get those new ones. I don't think that's unusual or misleading. What is misleading is that if, when I purchase a bundled product, the 'bundle' doesn't remain functional/updated with the next version. Problem is, yes, I can go back and use the old plugins in the old Vegas, but who's to say that this roundtrip is compatible? It's usually a one-way street only, lower versions can usually only be imported into newer versions.

I make it a point to never use any of the bundled stuff, been burned too many times finding I can't edit a project in one version of VP that I created in another version using a "free" bundled product.

When you purchase a subscription to a magazine for example, you can still read all those that you have received. But if your subscription has ended, you won't get those new ones. I don't think that's unusual or misleading. What is misleading is that if, when I purchase a bundled product, the 'bundle' doesn't remain functional/updated with the next version. Problem is, yes, I can go back and use the old plugins in the old Vegas, but who's to say that this roundtrip is compatible? It's usually a one-way street only, lower versions can usually only be imported into newer versions.

Have you purchased the license rights to use the Software also within another Software then the bündle?

Have you purchased the license rights to use the Software also within another Software then the bündle?

Fair enough. But you also haven't been told that you can't.

Wouldn't it be good if companies such as MAGIX clearly highlighted in their promotional and point-of-sale information that bundled software - bonus or purchased - will/may only work within the purchased primary product and not in prior or future releases of the primary product. Such a clear and evident notice would likely avoid misunderstandings and disappointments as is clear has occurred from this and other similarly related posts re VP15. Please don't refer to EULAs and the like as they are so long and legalisitic that you need to get legal advice to understand them. It's only fair for the vendor to clearly summarise the basics of the purchase conditions at the point-of-sale rather than creating what could be described as a situation that is 'misleading by omission'.

misleading by omission

That seems to be the game nowadays... and has happened here before. The question is, was it intentional?

This "plug-in" thing has been around a very long time. It is true that the makers of these plug-ins are missing an opportunity of keeping customers by not offering a discount to those upgrading to a new version of the software (with which they are included). Mercalli 4.0 is really worth it and they probably if they offered a $75 dollar upgrade to the whole software get many users (I already had it). Or even offer a re-license fee for those items included with the older version of the NLE software. Over the years I've kept many older versions of various software on my machine to have access to only one specific tool. If you don't understand that this has often been the case in the industry I can see why you are upset, but if your an old timer then you should know better.

The upgrade for Mercalli 4 and CMOS Fixr that was bundled with VP14 Suite is now available on proDAD's website for $99 US. https://www.prodad.com/Video-Stabilization-for-Professionals/Mercalli-V4-Plugins-for-Vegas-29796,l-us.html

That gets you the stabilizer, CMOS Fixr and a standalone version of the stabilizer. I purchased it last night.

I make it a point to never use any of the bundled stuff, been burned too many times finding I can't edit a project in one version of VP that I created in another version using a "free" bundled product.

hasn't been 'Free'. You pay for it. +$$ for 'Pro', +$$$ for 'Suite'. Don't forget, this is important.

It would seem that Magix don't know themselves what the "£200 value" is they suggest the bundled Boris plugin provides. I asked if it was the OFX version as sold by Boris which works as a plugin with Vegas 14 and other hosts. The reply:

"It usually is the case that third party products packaged with our software are specially programed to work with that program. However this isn't always the case, so I would suggest contacting Boris if they shed any light no this issue."

Current ProDAD website 'special' says:

Upgrade von Vegas 14 Pro Mercalli V4 Bundle auf Mercalli V4 SUITE Vegas

So, the only thing we really know is the price (EUR 99 = approx $150 AUD), and, that this 'Upgrade' is obviously restricted to Vegas14 Pro users.

I guess, if you are (like me) considering to skip this episode of Vegas, in the next round - next year, you wouldn't be eligible for this 'special' anymore, since I would be upgrading from 14 -> 16, and would have to buy the complete plugin version from scratch.

I have put the question if this version is limited to VP15 exclusively, awaiting reply.

@JackWhite, could you be bothered trying to find out from Boris Cust Support if this version is Host-Locked ('Vegas') or Version-locked? (VP15)? Strange that Magix doesn't seem to know..You would think that they are in charge of what works with their software.., na?

ProDAD has reworked theire webstore in the last two days or so. There are some small but important new points.

For the major product "Mercalli V4 Plugins for Vegas" they have added now the technical information "Vegas Pro 13 and higher". On the old page they had mentioned "Vegas Pro 13" only. Means to me, that the product "Mercalli V4 Plugins for Vegas" is not restricted to any Vegas version - as it was in the past (for me the separat purchased plugin worked in VP13/14/15 anyway).

The interesting point: the new offered upgrade "Upgrade from Vegas 14 Pro Mercalli V4 Bundle" for $99 works with a serial that I have for the bundled Vegas Pro 14 plugin. Since the upgrade is to the "Mercalli V4 Plugins for Vegas" and since this product "Mercalli V4 Plugins for Vegas" that is not restricted at any Vegas version, I would conclude that you will receive a new serial that will work for all Vegas versions that we have up to now.

Hopefully also for upcoming versions because "Vegas pro 13 and higher" does not exclude anything. But please be aware that this is my interpretation only.

official ProDAD response:

wenn Sie über proDAD kaufen, dann besteht der Support auch für künftige Versionen von Vegas weiter, sofern Vegas weiter Mercalli unterstützt.

Da das nicht unser Produkt ist kann ich das heute nicht bestätigen. Ich gehe aber von einer Weiterentwicklung von Vegas aus.

today.

official ProDAD response:

wenn Sie über proDAD kaufen, dann besteht der Support auch für künftige Versionen von Vegas weiter, sofern Vegas weiter Mercalli unterstützt.

Da das nicht unser Produkt ist kann ich das heute nicht bestätigen. Ich gehe aber von einer Weiterentwicklung von Vegas aus.

today.

That is what I said all the time. An external supplier like proDAD cannot gurantee something for the future of Vegas, since they do not have that in their hands.

Hi I downloaded and installed Vegas Pro 15 a few days ago and have just realised that the BCC transitions that are now listed in Vegas Pro 15 need to be registered. Having looked at the information about installing and activating Boris Continuum 3D Objects on the Magix site, it tells me to go to Help and Free Downloads then to Download Manager. Neither of these elements exist under the HELP although under further investigation it seems some elements might be missing if not logged in with administrator rights. I'm logged into Windows 10 with administrator rights and vegas pro 15 was installed without problem. So how do I install the Boris Continuum 3D objects? Anyone got any ideas please.

Thanks Paul

Before I really buy that upgrade some things have to be clear (for me):

1. At 1 is stated "Mercalli V4 SUITE Vegas 15 Pro" , that means??????????

2. At 2 suddenly another amount than advertised and that I clicked on, it's only a small difference but that means????

99 dollar + 21 % BTW is 119,79 dollar (US dollar op web shops is bijna altijd zonder btw), 119,79 dollar is 100,62 Euro (koers 0,84). Vandaar het kleine verschil. Meestal nemen ze doordoor euro = US dollar vanwege de btw (US + 21 %BTW), maar hier zijn ze heel precies!