It seems that Sony Creative Software flat-out refuses to sell earlier versions once the later version is shipping. Such a pity. So, now that 11 is out you cannot buy a license for 10 from them.

What you can do is shop around places like B&H or even some of the ebay sellers who still have 10 in stock, or pick up a version 10 from someone who is selling their old license. If you can obtain the version 10 license key through a 3rd party then SCS will let you register and activate it.

I do now, I just installed the v10 trial. It opens AVC without QuickTime, unlike v9. During the v11 trial period v10 was not installed.

If you're thinking multiple versions installed has something to do with the instability, I can install Windows 7 fresh and test with v11 alone.

Usually you can have multiple versions installed, but I noticed that when OFX filter dialogs crashed in VP11 they also crashed in VP10. I had to uninstall both versions and then reinstall 10.

If compatibility mode solves your problems with VP11 then I don't think I'd worry about the niceties. All Compatibility mode does is flag vegas to use older versions of certain DLLs and other resources. I have one computer that Vegas needs compatibility mode for, and one where it's not needed. What I think has happened is that somehow maybe Windows is differently updated, or some software snuck a DLL back in after a windows update. It could even be a graphics driver exploiting a new or old quirk of Windows which is then fouling up Vegas. Graphics drivers are pretty notorious for exploiting OS quirks to tweak their performance, especially in benchmarks.

That said, Compatibility Mode doesn't solve every one of Vegas's problems. As near as I can tell there are multiple bugs stemming from multiple causes. If VP11 is working for you in compatibility mode then maybe don't look that gift-horse in the mouth.

And, as Kelly said, you'd need to look elsewhere to purchase a VP10 licence. Ebay, B&H, Videoguys, someplace like that.

Rob Mack

Thanks Chienworks. Can't seem to find a Vegas Pro 10 upgrade for sale. The versions on eBay, if they're even legit, are full price. I wonder if it's even possible to sell to someone else and transfer your license in a way Sony Creative Software recognizes.

While on the subject, I wish software like this didn't require internet activation. It used to be common for people to setup a PC dedicated for multimedia production that would be stripped of networking and other unrelated processes. I know there are ways to activate indirectly, but I miss the days when you could just enter your serial and be done.

There's probably a v10 keygen or crack that could be downloaded quickly, give access to the previous version, and without requiring internet activation. It seems like something software makers should really think about, that paying customers are more limited, required to jump through more hoops, than those who don't pay.

Since most of us pay each year anyways, might as well just make it a yearly subscription, that gives you access to benefits of membership. Then remove the activation locks, and focus more on adding value than trying to restrict. Make it so, as a member you have access to all previous versions, as well as community forum, free plugins, and special offers.

Thanks for the info Rob. I didn't test it in-depth, Compatibility Mode merely prevented it from crashing within seconds. But it did cause startup when GPU acceleration was enabled to hang for around 30 seconds. It still crashed, it just was extremely unstable without Compatibility Mode, where it could crash seconds after starting, by doing nothing more than dragging a clip into the timeline and opening the Track FX.

"I wonder if it's even possible to sell to someone else and transfer your license in a way Sony Creative Software recognizes."

an upgrade is a new license, and your lower version license is still fully in effect. Yes, if you can find an individual who will sell you their Version 10 license, just send an email with the new owner's name, address and email and the serial number to Sony CUSTOMER SERVICE. (Not Tech Support).

Hmm. Interesting that you get crashes just from opening the Video Track FX Plug-in Chooser window. I was having to actually open an FX and adjust it a couple of times to get Vegas to crash. Only with OFX effects, not DirectX effects. And merely setting Vegas to Windows 7 compatibility mode seemed to have fixed that.

I can't speak to GPU acceleration since neither of my computers supports it. It's always off for me. It's galling, but I think if I was having crashes I'd turn it off.

Rob

No internet activation. Prefer a iLok ?

Have you tried the suggested Temp file thing ? (OK, you had V11 only to start with ?) . Presumably basics like your temp file and data are on separate drive to system and apps ?

Downgrading to V10 may stuff up later already-installed versions of common bundled plugins and do all sorts of unpredictable things.

geoff

Rob, please keep in mind I didn't log the steps to cause various crashes and am going off loose memory. It may be that it didn't crash until adding a specific plugin and tweaking a parameter. I just know that it crashed almost immediately after installing, and nearly constantly while trying to do anything until switching to Compatibility Mode. If I get a chance I'll try a clean install and will log the steps.

Geoff, the v11 trial ended, so I suppose to try the temp thing I'd have to purchase it.