Upgrading from v.17 to v.18

Danny-Lawrence wrote on 7/15/2021, 4:39 AM

Please may we have more explicit information on the relationship between these two software packages. A post on a Vegas Forum declares emphatically that, unlike v.17, v.18 is no longer part of the Vegas family ["As many of you have seen, MAGIX has released Movie Studio 18 today. I would like to note that Movie Studio 18 is not considered a VEGAS Product, and as such, the VEGAS team will not be able to offer any support here in regards to it. My suggestion is to post questions in regards to Movie Studio 18 to the forum at https://www.magix.info/us/news-forum/. Over the coming months, the VEGAS and MAGIX websites will likely be reconfigured to reflect the change in branding for Movie Studio."]

The advertising for the upgrade suggests otherwise, refers repeatedly to Vegas and implies that v.18 of Movie-Studio is a lightweight version of Vegas Pro 18. Yet I note that Magix also state that they are only still 'working hard' on how to fully import v.17 Movie-Studio projects into the v.18 software. Existing users of Movie-Studio v.17 (and earlier) need something much more explicit from Magix on the nature of this upgrade. Instead of glossy graphics please can we have chapter and verse of not just additions and improvements but all significant departures from v.17. Whatever the discount offered, I won't be upgrading until I have that information.

On a related question, are Magix offering a trial of v.18 which can be used whilst leaving v.17 entirely intact?

Comments

FayFen wrote on 7/15/2021, 4:55 AM

Why you want to rush into 18?

If you want to play

https://dl03.vegascreativesoftware.com/trial_moviestudio18platinum_dlm_l34ht.exe

** As it's basically a different program it shouldn't bother your VMS17. Just watch what it does...

(I haven't and I wont try it myself)

vkmast wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:08 AM

The free trials of "Movie Studio 18" are available here https://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/free-trials/video-editor-free-download/. The new numbered versions haven't overwritten previous versions and I don't think this will either. It's a different installation.

Note that MAGIX marketing is understandably trying to entice current VEGAS MS users to upgrade to their version and using the vegascreativesoftware.com site for that during what is probably a transitional period before it's moved to magix.com. As has been stated, it's developed by a different team than the VEGAS MS was.

(Note that VEGAS Creative Software is part of MAGIX.)

EricLNZ wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:25 AM

@Danny-Lawrence To put it simply it is not an upgrade. It is a switch to what is a very different product. It is certainly not a lightweight version of Vegas Pro 18.

Danny-Lawrence wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:33 AM

Thank you for such an explicit statement. Why then does Magix imply otherwise in its advertising and why are those of being invited to 'upgrade' (which is what is implied by going from v.17 to v.18) not given an equally explicit and comprehensive statement of the implications of this change?

EricLNZ wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:37 AM

@Danny-Lawrence Good question but only Magix can answer it. Personally I find what Magix have done very misleading.

Ronald-Henderson wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:39 AM

Movie Studio 18 suite appears to be very similar to PhotoStory. It is a completely different user interface. It is aimed squarely at consumers who don't know much about video editing. Unlike Vegas Movie Studio it does not have a user interface where one has complete freedom on how to use video. Just my humble opinion.

EricLNZ wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:42 AM

@Ronald-Henderson Read the first post by Dr Zen in this thread for detailed background info: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/movie-studio-18-has-nothing-to-do-with-vegas-movie-studio--130401/

john-brown wrote on 7/15/2021, 8:24 AM

@Ronald-Henderson

Hi,

Movie Studio 18 suite appears to be very similar to PhotoStory. It is a completely different user interface. It is aimed squarely at consumers who don't know much about video editing. Unlike Vegas Movie Studio it does not have a user interface where one has complete freedom on how to use video. Just my humble opinion.

Definitely not true. It is similar to PhotoStory only because PhotoStory is a flavour of Movie Edit Pro. Magix Movie Studio is the same as the Movie Edit Pro line (not PhotoStory) with Basic (do not go there), Plus and Premium (Plus and Premium programs are identical).

"It is aimed squarely at consumers who don't know much about video editing" - not true or if you wish, the same could be said of Vegas MS users. You still have to learn all about video editing either way.

"Unlike Vegas Movie Studio it does not have a user interface where one has complete freedom on how to use video." Not true, you have Storyboard, Scene overview, and Timeline modes. In timeline mode, you have complete freedom for editing. Even more as there are no dedicated tracks in Movie Edit Pro - a track is a track and you can put whatever you like on them. In VMS, you have audio tracks, video tracks, etc. - that is limiting.

John CB

MarianHa wrote on 7/15/2021, 8:38 AM

If I only read this before purchasing MS18...

FayFen wrote on 7/15/2021, 10:36 AM

If I only read this before purchasing MS18...

When was it? hurry and ask for a refund.

vkmast wrote on 7/15/2021, 12:01 PM

@MarianHa regarding refunds, please see the current terms quoted here.

Ooievaar wrote on 7/15/2021, 1:34 PM

If I only read this before purchasing MS18...

I nearly clicked the BUY button, but wanted to read what others had experienced....
So happy that I did that 😃.

john-brown wrote on 7/15/2021, 1:55 PM

To all, try before you buy. Also, it would be best to wait a bit as it seems that the capability to open VMS files has not yet been perfected in MMS18.

John CB

Reyfox wrote on 7/15/2021, 3:38 PM

I am not into product bashing. And like many here, I have more than one editor. I also have Video Pro X in addition to Vegas Pro 18. They both serve their purposes for me.

We have our "favorites", but please, let this not turn into "mine is better than yours" conversation. I feel for those who have been a long time VMS user to find out their product is no longer supported. But they do have an upgrade path to Vegas Pro. Who knows what VP19 has in store for the VMS users. Maybe a simplified (VMS) layout as an option. Maybe Vegas Pro is way more than you need, and the "new" Movie Studio will meet your needs at a price you can live with.

The only way to find out is to download the trial versions of both and test them yourself. I can't tell you which one will be better for you. Only you can make that choice. What the forums can do is answer questions about the use of the software. The transition from VMS to VP will be relatively painless. But if you know editing, going to Magix Movie Studio won't be that hard to get the hang of.

Danny-Lawrence wrote on 7/15/2021, 4:13 PM

Fair points but it does not alter the fact that Magix should not have contacted those of us currently using VMS17 and marketed VMS18 as nothing more than an upgrade. It is plainly not that. Magix should have been upfront that there was to be no further development of VMS17 and set out the merits of their alternative.

Ross-Jackson wrote on 7/15/2021, 5:26 PM

Fair points but it does not alter the fact that Magix should not have contacted those of us currently using VMS17 and marketed VMS18 as nothing more than an upgrade. It is plainly not that. Magix should have been upfront that there was to be no further development of VMS17 and set out the merits of their alternative.

Reyfox. Not bashing, just stating.

The very first word of the email to a VMS 17 holder is, 'Upgrade'

Click on the icon and on the next page is displayed with the following wording.

Upgrade: Movie Studio 18 PlatinumShortcut to amazing

NEW

Select a version:

Movie Studio Platinum

Movie Studio Suite

Movie Studio Platinum Movie Studio Suite £34.99 Regularly £69.99

Prices include VAT,

Upgrade now

-------------------------------------------

Really feels to me like information regarding an upgrade, not a replacement. Your remark that the upgrade path is to Vegas Pro I believe is quite correct for VMS. However Magix does not appear to see it that way

Reyfox wrote on 7/16/2021, 2:28 AM

@Ross-Jackson the bashing I am referring to is software comparison's between MEP and VMS. As for the "upgrade", I too find it misleading. It isn't an "upgrade", but a lateral to another software.

But as always, before pressing the "purchase" button, research should be done to see if the software is what you want. When you see MEP 2021 with a new name, it creates all sorts of confusion on all fronts. The MEP users are wondering what will happen to their beloved software, while the VMS users are lamenting the end of theirs wondering what should be the next move.

Vegas Pro might be more than they need (and at a higher price, even upgrading) than MMS18, but it comes with a familiar interface and they can hit the ground running. But then MMS18, they will be learning something new that edits differently. I'd try a trial of both and then decide.... or stay with VMS until you see something that you definitely need in your editing workflow.

VEGAS should give the current VMS users a much better upgrade deal than what is already being offered. And the "upgrade" to MMS18 price isn't that bad.

Decisions decisions...

Ross-Jackson wrote on 7/16/2021, 3:04 AM

Reyfox

Agree with your comments. As you suggested. I downloaded the trial. Not for me. But, I do have a perfectly useable Vegas Movie Studio 17 Platinum, which is great.

Regards

Ross

Reyfox wrote on 7/16/2021, 7:57 AM

@Ross-Jackson as long as you are happy editing with what you have, there is no need to upgrade. Consumerism (wanting the "latest and greatest") is a weakness we all suffer from. It has to be better because it's NEW!!! Well, in this case, it's totally new... and totally a different piece of software.

While I can edit with Video Pro X (it edits just like MMS18), I've been editing so long where "overlays" are just that, assets overlayed (on top of) the video, it's hard (but not impossible) to edit the other way where they are placed under the main video track. It just takes a little more effort. Using the "new" software isn't that hard, it's just different and not what anyone was expecting in an "upgrade".

Keep editing with what you have.

set wrote on 7/16/2021, 9:33 AM

... I've been editing so long where "overlays" are just that, assets overlayed (on top of) the video, it's hard (but not impossible) to edit the other way where they are placed under the main video track.

It's because the industry's standard-'generally-acceptable' way is like that, including my previous experience before going into VP many years ago.

And recently have learn more of editing from various online learning presentations where they use other tool. So of course looking at his timeline sample, will 'connect' instantly to our VP's workflow

vkmast wrote on 7/16/2021, 9:36 AM

Please note the special offer for VMS users to upgrade to VEGAS Pro Edit here

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/vegas-movie-studio-17-price-watch--120230/?page=2#ca811734