I am also a beginner, but what stumped me was his audio terminology. For instance, what is "bed music"? I'm sure you audio experts have known that for a long time and I have an idea after reading his book. I've read his book through once so I could sense the "big picture" and I plan to go through it in more detail and actually try the examples from the CD. It's been fun!

BTW, jd555, what other book did you read?

Douglas has indicated that he's in prep of an update or new book. Perhaps he'll include a glossary of audio and video terms that will be beneficial to everyone; newcomers and the experienced alike.

A glossary would be great. I've written down some other terms he uses that I'm still unsure of. But since I'm more into the video side I've been able to gloss over those parts.

The original book actually exceeded the budgeted pages. Now the publisher knows that Vegas is a popular subject, and I've been given more pages for the updated version of the book. I'm very excited, and looking forward to hearing from folks about what they'd like to see in the next revision.
BTW, this is the second complaint that the book wasn't elementary enough. There was one post on Amazon that I spoke way over people's heads. I honestly tried to make it as simple as I could, ie; insert CD into CD tray....But, different folks view things from various perspectives. I'll be MUCH more advanced in the next version though. Fair warning.

Tim,

For starters with little or no knowledge of video editing, go for
"Digital Video & Audio Production" for Vegas 4.0 by Gary/Micheal.
Its a hands-on step-by-step guide that builds a solid foundation of Vegas.Easy reading....terminology fully explained . For beginners, this book is a must-have. Let me know if you need more info.

james(jd555)

> I honestly tried to make it as simple as I could, ie; insert CD into CD tray....

- but which way up? ;)

I haven't picked up a copy of SPOT's book yet only because of this darn Bell's thing (5 months and counting) can't see that well yet to read much. Got a LARGE print version? <wink>

Seriously, if the writing style is similar to how SPOT writes his tutorials or posts, it shouldn't be hard to follow. Its a tight rope to strike a balance writing a book on any technical topic. If you're too elementary some buyers will feel ripped off if a lot of pages are devoted to things they already know or are well covered in the manual. At the opposite end some people may have trouble with some of the terms and get lost if they aren't explained to the nth degree.

Sidebar

Many years ago I wrote a book. Self published, but I sold a bunch of them... all over the world. I offered a money back gurantee and I got about a dozen requests asking for their money back. One guy wrote a nice little letter asking for his money back. Just thumbing through the returned book about every other page was dog eared or had something underlined. Some people are really hard to please. ;-)

Spot,

"I'll be MUCH more advanced in the next version though."

Is your new book going to be for Vegas 4 advanced, or for Vegas 5?

-- Seeker --

No comment ;-)

Thanks James,

I'll look that one up.

After the first pass through SPOT's book, I think it is the right level. It is challenging for my level, but I need that push to improve my skills. Looking forward to his next book.

Tim,
Read the first 2 chapters carefully. In there, I clearly explain pixel aspect ratios, what pixels are, what DV standards in NTSC and PAL are, as well as several other basics. The first two chapters are dedicated to total basics, nothing advanced at all.

Granted that the wealth of info in selective forums is unbelievable...but I do find myself lacking on the audio side..and I did purchase the book. But I feel it is a problem of resources: ie. the web is full of advice/tutorials/veg files etc. on vid projects BUT very little info on audio, AND that is my one and only criticism on the book: reading through the audio sections I got the feeling that it was all way over my head: audio is critical, I read the book ( three times) and still haven't got a grip about audio (not about panning techniques, more about graph .equalizers and others...I guess I should buy a Audio book aswell..or amybe Spot could enlighten us?

At present. I have the feeling I'm making a lot of the video side of Vegas and very littlle of the audio side which is a strong point. I'm missing out somehow, aren't I?
The other aspect wich I miss as a newcomer (not being acquainted with After Effects and a newcomer to Photoshop are the strengths of compositing: I feel my level as an editor (which is very low) needs some help to learn the strengths of these tools within Vegas.

Regrads,
Paul

Spot,

I think you could have a book design that easily incorporates tips for both new and advanced users. You could create a footnote style that where a certain graphic indicates the footnote is for new users and the footnote could explain elementary material. A different graphic would indicated a more advanced treatment of a topic. Readers would get accustomed quickly to whehter or not the footnote is intended for them.

You could use either footnotes, sidebars or special callouts in the layout of the book.

Also as folks indicated here, I think a glossary is something readers rely on. It sets a certain comfort level. For books on a new technical subject I usually read or skim the glossary first.

You may want to a have a complete newbie read the book and list all the terms they don't know. "Bed music" probably would have come up on that list.


PS
I think it's pretty cool that Spot is already being cagey about which version of Vegas the book will address

With all due respect, anyone who feel's he has better way to do the book should write one himself...

Good ideas and input from all so far, thanks.
As far as the 'new' book, it's merely an upgrade to the new book, so the current formatting will not change. Too costly, too much of a delay to release the new book. While I'm writing some of the original sections over again, it's mostly about NEW information, tutorials, compositing will receive a heavy dose, plus a few additional audio things.
PDB, there is little about what panning does other than saying, "Right and Left position of audio is controlled by Panning. Insert a Panning Control by...." etc. What do you want to know about Panning? In my mind, I figured that panning/balance of Right/Left is something that everyone knows whether they use an NLE, DAW, or just a stereo receiver. But I'm very much interested in hearing more ideas. Just like Vegas is great from all the forum input, I'd like to make the book equally great from more forum input.