That's why I always answer the query with Q1 '03.

It's almost never worth waiting for the next release (unless there's some compelling reason). I would recommend going with Vegas Pro 8 now. It has been a fantastic NLE for our business. I can't believe how easy multi-cam editing is compared to Liquid. That feature alone has made me a total convert to Vegas. There are lots of other great features including the excellent titler. Maybe it's because I had to suffer through the TitleDeko titler that came with Liquid but this one is sure a huge improvement for me. I also love the fact that you can preview all of the effects. Again, something that wasn't available in Liquid but WAS available in Pinnacle Studio.

Bottom Line -- It's worth it!

I got the upgrade email September 07 so on an 18 month cycle that would be March 09 and NAB is April 09.

Make sure an get the educational pricing if you are a non profit.

You have 20 seats to upgrade. If you NEED to get Vegas 8 for AVCHD support or something, maybe upgrade half of them to 8 now, and then when 9 comes out upgrade the rest.

And I personally think (hope) Vegas 9 will be out 1Q 2009.

I'd rather they ship late and open beta testing to more users.

Vegas Pro 8 has been great for me so I suggest you start there. It works great for HDV without a glitch and definitely look for educational pricing. I use it for short projects, long documentaries and never have a problem and the upgrade prices will be good when 9 is available,

BoydM wrote: "I am looking to upgrade our non profit media facility of 20 seats of Vegas 6 to Vegas 8 pro"

Have you thought about one of the Vegas Movie Studio versions ?

I've always thought it strange that SonicFoundry/Sony always released their apps at separate times.

Adobe Suite - all apps are released at the same time
Final Cut Suite - all apps are released at the same time
Sony Creative Suite - apps are released at separate times

One of the things that's a big seller for the Pro Apps is being part of a Suite. A Suite lives together, works together, plays together.... therefore should be built & released together, right?
Makes logical sense that if they are to have excellent integration that it would be best to build them side by side making them interact. Instead it appears that Sony adds something to the app they are about to release, then add something to the next app when it's about to be released, then the next, then the next, etc.

I personally feel that the Suite integration between both Adobe & Apple apps is Sweet.
I would truly love to buy a Suite from Sony that lives, works, plays, walks, and talks as smooth as Adobe & Apple. Even if it's just perception... it seems to be working for the other guys.

- For 20 seats... and a Non-Profit... I would contact Sony and see what type of deal could be worked out. I know I've seen Student & School pricing which is considerably lower than retail. I bet you could save quite a few bucks just by speaking with a Sales Rep or Supervisor and giving them a run down of who you guys are.

sync2rhythm said:

"I would truly love to buy a Suite from Sony that lives, works, plays, walks, and talks as smooth as Adobe & Apple."

Not sure what you're getting at here - You can specify editors within SONY's apps quite easily - DVDA allows for specifying a graphics editing app for modifying graphics used in an project. Cinescore allows specifying any audio editor - not just Sound Forge, same with Acid Pro and Vegas Pro, as far as I can tell, the integration appears to be as fluid as the other mainstream suites. Sure you don't have round trip with something like After Effects, but for me, that's a non-issue.

Cliff Etzel - Solo Video Journalist
bluprojekt | solo video journalism blog

Have you considered going this route?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/536041-REG/Sony_VP8Q_Vegas_Pro_8_Video.html

B&H Photo has a version that doesn't have DVDa5.0 included for only $129. It's just a CD (no packaging) but the manual is on the CD. It's the full-blown deal and you can upgrade freely to 8.0c and 8.1 if you like.

I believe you are allowed to install it on at least two machines (i.e. network rendering)

Have you considered going this route?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/536041-REG/Sony_VP8Q_Vegas_Pro_8_Video.html

B&H Photo has a version that doesn't have DVDa5.0 included for only $129. It's just a CD (no packaging) but the manual is on the CD. It's the full-blown deal and you can upgrade freely to 8.0c and 8.1 if you like.
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If I had to guess, I would say that when Vegas 9 is released it will be released with DVDA 5.0 not DVDA 6.0. Just a hunch.

John

Make sure an get the educational pricing if you are a non profit.
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Provantage usually has the lowest educational pricing. It is still around $20 more than if you just clicked up top and bought it directly from Sony Creative Software (assuming you currently have any previous version).

John