[Release] VEGAS Pro 15 – Inspiration Meets Productivity

VEGAS_CommunityManager wrote on 8/28/2017, 7:07 AM

Dear community,

Nearly a year has passed after we revived the VEGAS product line, and in that time, a lot has happened:

new product pages
new community space
new VEGAS magazine
new social media channels
most importantly: a ton of updates for the VEGAS products

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to give the VEGAS family "new life."

I want to highlight two teams which are the most essential for the software to thrive and evolve. The first, is our amazing development team. Thank you for fighting any and all challenges you have faced in the code jungle! The second team is a team without which, none of this would make any sense – the wonderful VEGAS users! Thank you all for staying with us and giving us great feedback and such clear direction! Your passion for this software is what keeps us constantly working to improve your favorite tool.

But enough rambling from my side. You probably wanna know, what exactly is new in VEGAS Pro 15.

Here it is – the list of new features

A new MAGIX AVC/AAC codec significantly accelerates encoding on machines that utilize Intel® Quick Sync Video (QSV) technology
A new MAGIX AVC/AAC codec significantly accelerates encoding on machines equipped with modern NVIDIA graphics card GPU technology
The user can now select from the list of attributes of a copied timeline clip event to specify which attributes will be pasted into a target event
ACES 1.0 support enable users to work with the expanded color spaces and dynamic range of modern cameras.
More efficient handling of AVC files on the timeline through Intel QSV technology
Picture-in-picture OFX plug-in enables the user to perform size and position adjustments of video at any of the four effects levels (including track and event) through parameter adjustment controls and direct interaction with the Video Preview window
Crop OFX plug-in enables the user to quickly crop out portions of a video at any of the four effects levels (including track and event) through parameter adjustment controls and direct interaction with the Video Preview window
The user can specify which track header buttons and controls appear on tracks and set these (separate for audio and video tracks) as project defaults for all new tracks in the current and new projects. Controls that have been hidden can be accessed through a new "hamburger button" menu
LUT Filter OFX plug-in enables the user to apply LUTs to their project at any of the four supported FX levels (event, track, media, and video bus)
Redesigned timeline clip events now contain headers to hold important information and buttons and can be customized through the hamburger button/menu system.
The user can specify which controls appear in the transport area of both the Trimmer Window and the Video Preview window as project defaults for the current and new projects. Controls that have been hidden can be accessed through a new "hamburger button" menu
A simple "one-click" option creates a freeze frame on all selected events touched by the timeline cursor
Users can specify one of four options for the shading of the VEGAS Pro interface ranging from very bright to a dark interface
Users can define the amount (strength) of color they want shown in their buttons
Modern controls enable logical docking and undocking of windows and maximizing windows within a dock
A user-friendly and intuitive Render As dialog box makes it easy to understand and specify render options
The Share Online option now provides direct render-and-upload operations for YouTube, FaceBook, and Vimeo
Optimized default user layout to reduce visual clutter
Non-selected timeline clip events are now the same color as the corresponding track header while selected events are white. This (while directly opposite previous behavior) reduces visual "clutter" and the harsh appearance of events, particularly in large projects
New layout option enables user to switch back to the VEGAS Pro 14 default layout, including revealing all buttons in the hamburger menu system
The default Pan type has been changed to Constant Power which is the most logical and expected type
Audio notification alerts you when your render is complete for all format types

Furthermore, if you want to see some tutorials for VEGAS Pro 15, have a look at our tutorials on our brand new YouTube Channel.

Best Regards,

The VEGAS Pro 15 team

Edit: To give a little more perspective, here is a list of bugs which were fixed from VEGAS Pro 14 in VEGAS Pro 15. These are roughly 50 fixed bugs. We also fixed near 100 in the 7 VEGAS Pro 14 updates that we released.

Fixed: Application hangs when importing 4K Lumia 950 footage
Fixed: Attempting to rename bus in Mixing console does not show edit box
Fixed: Some MP4 thumbnail frames show as green
Fixed: iPhone video does not import properly
Fixed: ProRes/MOV audio out of sync with embedded video stream
Fixed: Interactive Tutorial has 'old' artwork
Fixed: Cannot read MOV files created by JVC GY-HM200 correctly
Fixed: ProRes 422 HQ file audio badly distorted
Fixed: Protype titler help file links inactive
Fixed: Multi-channel audio files do not show up correctly with ProRes plugins
Fixed: ProRes Import - Audio channel duplicated on to other audio channel
Fixed: Atomos Shogun 4k Recorder files fail to produce audio in Vegas
Fixed: Iphone 4s MOVs fail to open in Vegas Pro
Fixed: H.265 MP4 Drone Footage failing to import to Vegas
Fixed: MP4/AVC without Audio
Fixed: Horizontal splitter for docking area is not painted
Fixed: iPhone 7 Video doesn't load in Vegas Pro 14
Fixed: Track Motion preset selector is missing
Fixed: Keyframe event "Set To" context-menu operation does nothing
Fixed: mp4 video created by Action Mirilis video capture software plays audio only
Fixed: Search field text clipped when docking below other windows.
Fixed: Plug-In Manager missing vertical separator
Fixed: Can't open HEVC file in Trimmer or timeline.
Fixed: Docking UI: maximize docking window, exit & restart Vegas, restore window: crash
Fixed: Hor & Vert Control handles split in 2 when using Automation
Fixed: Automation dropdown arrows are between Bus/Input/Master headers
Fixed: Win7: Render As template 'Favorites' star crowds/cuts into template names
Fixed: Clipped icons in Edit Details window
Fixed: Exporting AVCHD 5.1 -> when import exported file first 2 audio tracks bounced and one track empty
Fixed: 'contains no video' error message when reading customer's MPEG-4 file
Fixed: Mute button state doesn't not match context menu with automation on
Fixed: Rear speaker icons swapped
Fixed: AVC (Panasonic P2) file incorrectly reads as all green
Fixed: Crash when double click Loudness Meters window while in Audio Mixing layout
Fixed: Not all MAGIX MP4 custom render frame rates yield expected video length
Fixed: Markers & regions don't get saved in ProRes or HEVC files in the trimmer
Fixed: Picture in Picture Help "?" opens Mirror video effect help content
Fixed: Crash on Tools-> Multicamera -> Expand to Multiple Tracks
Fixed: Annoying blinking when resizing windows
Fixed: Track Compressor Reduction meter pegged
Fixed: Elastique broken in Audio Event properties
Fixed: ProRes audio imported into Vegas precedes video by 30ms
Fixed: OFX effect parameter dialog is malformed when opened by keystroke
Fixed: Master Bus is confused about mute
Fixed: Render As ->Browse, Save As dialog File name is not auto-populated
Fixed: Horizontal resizing of the app causes redraw issues
Fixed: Saved projects don't retain markers & regions for MP4's
Fixed: Rendering HEVC CBR does not produce CBR output

Best regards
Mathias

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Comments

set wrote on 9/23/2017, 5:48 PM

Unfortunately iPhone7 HEVC is blank.

There's slight difference of both files.

LongIslander wrote on 9/23/2017, 5:52 PM

Odd beacause the iphone 8 came up blank on my VP15 as well. Going to have to retry it again.

NickHope wrote on 9/23/2017, 8:39 PM

Same result here as set. The iPhone 7 HEVC sample gives blank video. The iPhone 8 4k 60p sample reads but is upside down. VP14 build 270 and VP15 build 177.

LongIslander wrote on 9/24/2017, 12:47 AM

Well Ill be damed! That iphone 8 clip does work. But here is another raw 4k60fps file from the 8 that once again comes up black. Weird how it worked 1 clip and the other is black. Same exact settings nothing changed?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x4zahkezngubn4o/Video%20Sep%2024%2C%2003%2023%2011.mov?dl=0

(for those getting link corrupt just copy/paste link as plain text)

JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/24/2017, 8:12 AM

Currently upside down, but a good thing the clip still can be read.

Rotation is a Windows issue that has been around for years. The EXIF data in images has rotation information in it that the Mac honors but Windows ignores. So depending on which way I hold my iPhone, the images may be upside-down on Windows but they are always rightsize-up on my Mac because it respects this information and compensates for it. I assume video has the same metadata which Windows again ignores but the Mac uses to determine how you were holding the camera and displays it the correct way.

I was able to read both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 footage on my Mac with a program called EditReady which I use to rewrap my old HDV footage to make it Mac compatible (i.e., M2T -> MOV). I assume it doesn't rely on QuickTime and they have their own decoders. I was able to re-encode it as H.264 so that my QuickTime based programs could play it.

~jr

melinda-brasch wrote on 9/24/2017, 3:15 PM

Hi MathiasH, I just ordered the Vegas Pro 15 upgrade after reading your glowing report. When I put in the http: address they said to download my product, it switched me to another website that I did not find where I should look for my download. When I finally found a place to have a question - I got back a note that I'd hear from them within 2 days. Any chance you can help me find my downloads? Thanks

LongIslander wrote on 9/24/2017, 4:12 PM

Currently upside down, but a good thing the clip still can be read.

Rotation is a Windows issue that has been around for years. The EXIF data in images has rotation information in it that the Mac honors but Windows ignores. So depending on which way I hold my iPhone, the images may be upside-down on Windows but they are always rightsize-up on my Mac because it respects this information and compensates for it. I assume video has the same metadata which Windows again ignores but the Mac uses to determine how you were holding the camera and displays it the correct way.

I was able to read both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 footage on my Mac with a program called EditReady which I use to rewrap my old HDV footage to make it Mac compatible (i.e., M2T -> MOV). I assume it doesn't rely on QuickTime and they have their own decoders. I was able to re-encode it as H.264 so that my QuickTime based programs could play it.

~jr

The real question is why are you commenting that your mac can read the files on a sony vegas forum? ; ). Additionaly windows does orientate the video correctly. Vegas does not.

JohnnyRoy wrote on 9/24/2017, 6:14 PM

The real question is why are you commenting that your mac can read the files on a sony vegas forum? ; ). Additionaly windows does orientate the video correctly. Vegas does not.

Just another datapoint. You are expecting Vegas to read iPhone formats that were just introduced only days ago that most Macs can't read yet. I know it doesn't help your situation but it does help put it in perspective.

BTW, I run Vegas Pro on my Mac using VMware Fusion ;-)

~jr

NickHope wrote on 9/24/2017, 9:19 PM

Hi MathiasH, I just ordered the Vegas Pro 15 upgrade after reading your glowing report. When I put in the http: address they said to download my product, it switched me to another website that I did not find where I should look for my download. When I finally found a place to have a question - I got back a note that I'd hear from them within 2 days. Any chance you can help me find my downloads? Thanks

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-where-can-i-download-vegas-pro-and-other-vegas-software--104782/

NickHope wrote on 9/28/2017, 4:29 AM

Well Ill be damed! That iphone 8 clip does work. But here is another raw 4k60fps file from the 8 that once again comes up black. Weird how it worked 1 clip and the other is black. Same exact settings nothing changed?

@LongIslander The one that reads as black is reported by MediaInfo as constant frame rate mode (60.000fps). The one that reads correctly, but upside down, is reported as variable frame rate mode:

I'm not an iPhone user but I doubt you've got any control over that. We also can't be sure exactly how MediaInfo is deciding what's variable frame rate and what isn't. I've heard it can be fussy about that, and claim something is variable when in fact it's just one frame that's off.

Does Filmic Pro work on the iPhone 8? It might be worth trying as it's said to produce a constant frame rate, and might tweak other factors that stop footage being read correctly by Vegas. Having said that, I'm a bit sceptical about how much camera apps can adjust certain aspects of a phone's underlying tech. I've never found an Android app that can guarantee constant frame rate.

animagic wrote on 9/29/2017, 3:42 PM

Is there any grace period for those who recently upgraded to version 14? I believe I bought the beginning of July 2017.

I second that question. A lot of software offers a 60 grandfather/grace period for upgrades. Will there be anything like that forthcoming? :)

It would be nice to have at least an answer from Magix one way or the other. There must be a number of users with the same question?

LongIslander wrote on 9/29/2017, 9:22 PM

Will we see XAVC hardware encoding added to VP15 in the future?

gerdagerd wrote on 10/10/2017, 6:40 AM

I would love the ability to start vegas temporarily without GPU acceleration, something like a parameter in the shortcut. "-nogpu" or similar.

I find myself having to turn GPU off for some projects , because they wont start up with it enabled.

Ossyni wrote on 10/11/2017, 4:04 PM

Ohhh please NO !

THE new TIMELINE design unusable
uncomfortable, too dense! 50% useless line !

WHY ? ? ?

Very narrow track.
The original (v14) is really logical. The v15 NO !
There are too many unnecessary stripes and can not be used.
Very annoying!
Please restore the original v14 timeline design !

I've been using vegas for 10 years, but I'm just disappointed.

gary-rebholz wrote on 10/11/2017, 4:35 PM

@Ossyni,

THE new TIMELINE design unusable

I guess you're talking about the new event headers. If you don't like them, just turn them off. Update 1 gives you that option.

BukaTV wrote on 10/12/2017, 10:57 AM

A new MAGIX AVC/AAC codec significantly accelerates encoding on machines that utilize Intel® Quick Sync Video (QSV) technology

I am going to name my first child after you, I mean it! lol

LongIslander wrote on 10/15/2017, 2:45 AM

Still same issue in the latest build with iPhone 8 HEVC files. Some work and others just show up black. Both of the videos below were shot on the same exact settings below.

4K 60FPS HEVC.

1. Shot of Dark Corner of Room (vegas shows file as completely black)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/l2e2rio2y20vr7r/Video%20Oct%2015,%2003%2019%2036.mov?dl=0

2. Shot at ceiling fan (bright light)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lk8xoclmnxv7z27/Video%20Oct%2015,%2003%2019%2046.mov?dl=0

I am noticing a trend that the footage I take in darker areas shows up as completely black in Vegas as opposed to bright/daylight clips work accordingly.

gerdagerd wrote on 10/29/2017, 2:51 AM

Sadly, VEGAS15 still crashes because RAM runs out, whenever I load a couple of HEVC Videos from my Samsung NX1/NX500, be it UHD, 4k or even just 1440p. This problem has been going on since the first version of vegas 14 was released and can not even be remedied by disabling the new decoder in "internal" settings. PLEASE FIX. Unusable with HEVC footage from samsung cameras at least.

NickHope wrote on 11/30/2017, 9:09 AM

@LongIslander Your iPhone HEVC issues appear to be fixed in VP15 update 2 (build 261). I tested your files and they look OK now.

JR42 wrote on 1/9/2018, 4:08 PM

Does the Nvidia support mean that AMD hardware support is gone?

gary-rebholz wrote on 1/10/2018, 8:55 AM

Does the Nvidia support mean that AMD hardware support is gone?

No. AMD support has not changed, so what has been there is still there. Additionally, we are working closely with AMD to update our support for their cards similar to what we've done with Nvidia. We're not there yet, but we're making progress.

megabit wrote on 1/10/2018, 9:13 AM

Excuse me Gary - I'm sure you at Magix are doing your best, but nevertheless may I ask you this question: what is it that "you've done with nVidia"? My GTX1080 card is still hardly used (nor for timeline playback acceleration, nor for rendering)... Thanks

Piotr

gary-rebholz wrote on 1/10/2018, 9:36 AM

My GTX1080 card is still hardly used (nor for timeline playback acceleration, nor for rendering)

The most noticeable benefit for most users will be when rendering to the MAGIX AVC/AAC MP4 codec where people are reporting render speeds up to twice as fast as rendering with CPU only.

megabit wrote on 1/10/2018, 9:55 AM

Ach, OK - the AVC/AAC renderer has indeed benefited, I hear. Unfortunately I don't use it - and in other tasks, running Vegas with my nVidia turned off (CPU only) is still much quicker and less crash-prone...

Piotr

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