Hard to say how long it will remain useful (relevant?) . Camera codecs change, OS' change, plug-ins change...

I think Davinci resolve looks like best fit for me if Vegas doesn't continue to develop.

As I mentioned it in another thread, probably FCP X for me. It is very similar to iMovie which I sometimes use on my iPad to quickly edit the low res files the AX100 generates in dual recording mode.

@john222,
I have been wrestling with the same thoughts as yourself, but have still not reached a definitive conclusion. At first I thought I would go with Avid since it is well known, has regular releases and has been well integrated with Fusion for a long time (while it was still an Eyeon product). However, after watching their tutorials, it was clear to me that I would not like to work with an editor that requires you to compose your in-out points before you drop media onto the timeline. There is no sliding of clips to automatically get transitions either.

Next, I looked at DaVinci Resolve and concluded that its workflow is quite similar to Vegas. Also, it supports some of my other software investments such as Mocha Pro. However, it still lacks any direct integration with Fusion even though Blackmagic acquired the software from Eyeon two years ago. Lastly, 99% of my footage is in XDCAM EX format, which Resolve still does not support (Fusion does) despite many requests from its customer base. However, I think it is likely that these issues will be addressed by Blackmagic, making it an ideal Vegas replacement.

As for HitFilm, I think they have a lot of work ahead if they wish to improve their quality, as their rendering of composites really look quite fake. I think their startup screen is still covered with ads and other internet links like a web page -- very unprofessional in my opinion.

The bottom line is that I will continue to use Vegas 13 until Blackmagic take the Resolve/Fusion combo to a higher lever of interoperability. If that does not happen, I will just keep using what I have as long as I possibly can.

Peter

@Tech Diver The Hitfilm startup screen has no ads but does have two tabs of internet data. One tab is their News Blog which lists software updates and new tutorials. The Other tab is simply a categorized list of the available in-house video tutorials for the product.

@riredale

I used Ulead Mediastudio until V8 but at the same time already started to learn Sony VP 7. If I wait until VP can't keep up anymore, already working with 4K is a pain, then I would have to learn a new NLE in a rush. I rather start now and get into the new one so that I can transition easier.

I'm dusting off my DVMaster and going back to SpeedRazor. Kidding aside, I think I'm just going to stay with Vegas as long as possible. I did in invest in Catalyst Prepare (before subscription) and get some nice output from 4k to use in Vegas. Fact is, HD is still quite sufficient for every demand I get, but I like the flexibility of 4k and have always tried to future proof my footage as much as possible.

Will I choose to invest in add ons such as Boris BCC 10? Not sure, though Mocha integration looks nice. Otherwise, I guess I'll stand pat for awhile. The thrill of getting something new isn't quite as great anymore. I can still cut a great project just using Vegas. I might add that v.13 has been very stable for me so I don't really have any gripes.

-- tom

Edius 8 but also the Catalyst Prepare 2016 maybe.

I'm looking into Resolve. It looks really interesting, and it seems like they are actively working on adding new features.

I've been with Vegas since 3.0, but it seems like they haven't fixed some basic things (like media management) in a long time, and I'm really needing those features now as I get into more long-form work.

I immediately get frustrated in other apps because I am so used to Vegas' way of doing transitions. Being able to just slide 2 clips together for transitions is so easy.

Even in FCPX it's tedious to retime transitions. Do any of the alternatives do them the "Vegas" way?

Dan H

"Even in FCPX it's tedious to retime transitions. Do any of the alternatives do them the "Vegas" way?"

Ive changed to FCX about six months ago now and havnt looked back.
It was the most like Vegas to me. Now I am faster in X than I was in Vegas.

Re the transitions in FCX, it's not exactly like Vegas but as close as I found,
Put two clips on the timeline, they drop/ magnetise together automatically,
Select either clip or both, hit CMD-T gives you your cross dissolve,
You can drag out the transition from either side to make it longer or shorter, or grab the middle of it to shift its mid point along the clips.
Takes few minutes to get used to, but just as fast as Vegas once you get the hang of it.

@Jedman

That is exactly how I felt and coming from iMovie made it even easier. Too bad my trial already already expired on my iMac. But I must say my 2010 iMac handled XAVC-S 100Mb from my AX100 quite well. I also watched a tutorial on multicam editing in FCPX and looks pretty simple and even does syncing.

I am going to stay with Vegas as long as I possibly can.

I went through this thing with previous NLE's and now Vegas. I wonder how long it will be before it happens again with another NLE? I do not remember the name of all the NLE's I have used over the years but Vegas is the fourth one for me. I am so tired of this thing! It is getting to be a HUGE drag!

I just knocked-off two projects in one day with Vegas. I sincerely doubt if I could do just one of those projects in a week with another NLE. Especially with my learning disability which causes me to be from slow to extremely slow to learn new things. And then there are other disabilities on top of that.

I am finally proficient enough with Vegas and have absolutely no desire to start over again. If new codecs and whatever's come along, I am sure there will be a way to trans-code them if needs be. I do not expect anything too problematic for some time.

HA! Vegas is so easy to use and learn that even a person like me with disabilities can learn to use it in a proficient way! Sony's non-existent marketing people should use that!

Anyway, I just got me a new AX53 4k camera. It is a great camera even in very low light and works great for my Church video needs! I am using the lower 4k bit rate and it plays real nice in Vegas with my new system. I know I got a bit off-topic but the AX53 gives me results I need with Vegas. So I really have no need to look elsewhere for some time.

For those who do move on to other NLE's, I wish you the best!

Be happy always,
www.dannyfye.com

@OldSmoke
The Multicam is the best.

For live events with multiple cameras you can CC in the angle editor so for example,
You CC all your cams in the first number of the night which may be well lit, then start cutting in your main project,
then you move on and find a darker one, then notice some of the gamma or hue is off on certain cams.
You just open Angle editor, CMD SHIFT B for Blade all, after your last edited track where Color was good, then tweak your color on cams that need adjustment and move on.
This used to be so slow in Vegas, un combining and recombining tracks. Or if I went the nesting route, waiting for sfap files to be rebuilt.

Syncing is all built in as well, no need for Plural Eyes or similar.

FCPX > Apple only, so a bit challenge for those who doesn't really used to Apple MacOS's environment.

DaVinci Resolve > Steadily become a nice editor, except it requires a great hardware, especially on the GPUs. - can't work with AVCHD format, need to convert them all. - might be 'slower workflow', but you can get creative with color looks.
I had successfully edit one project using DaVinci Resolve 12, and seems this is my choice to go if Vegas Pro become outdated. Probably will just spend the better video card.

Set

@Jedman
I might just buy it anyways. At 299.99 it's a bargain compared to Catalyst.

@OldSmoke
Best value out there IMO
People comment about the 3k dongle you need with it, being a Mac, but if you head on over to Tony Mac and get a list of compatible gear its easy to build your own.
I built an 4790k iMac spec equivalent box for about $1300 Aus dollars.

@set...

Have you tried DaVinci Resolve 12.5 Beta? I installed it just the other day, and it works with AVCHD (.MTS) and XAVC S (.MP4 from an AX100) just from some initial testing. But QT is needed for XAVC S as Resolve didn't recognise XAVC S without QT installed.

I would also like to try to stay with Vegas as long as I can.

BUT unfortunately I miss now a lot of points for my x-log footage. I am running a near to crazy workflow to allow me to continue to work with Vegas:
- shoot with the GH4/Shogun to ProRes
- convert the ProRes to Cineform
- grade that in Vegas using the Looks3 LUT plugin.

An alternative could be to use the Hitfilm LUT plugin - that is more performat that Looks 3.

Even with my overclocked 8-core machine I am not able to run with Cineform a Best/full preview with my 25 fps - I have to go down to best/half or preview/half.

Another way would be to use the Catalyst Prepare. I like Prepare for grading, because it is really great to use for that purpose! But also here I have to convert my ProRes footage to 10bit 422 H.264 footage - with TMPGenc 6.

So I have suggested SCS to implement a ProRes Import also in Prepare and Edit, what would be great.

To switch to the XAVC world of an FS7 would be great also for 10bit 422 - but XAVC also requires in Vegas a lot of ressources. It works fine for UHD 25p, but for UHD 50p it is not so great.

Well, Edius would be an alternative because Edius allows me now the direct Import for my ProRes files. And with the new Primary Color Corrector they have developed a good Grading possibility within Edius (with some questionmarks in Terms of how the luminance is mapped really, but it is possible to do everything within Edius if I wish). Even if I like Catalyst Prepare more in Terms of ´handling.

So yes, it is a great approch to stay with Vegas as long as possible. But you see that other applications start to offer better Solutions. Even if that may depend what you are doing - for 8bit rec709 footage even in UHD a move to another application is not necessary at all!!

Although I think I'll always use Vegas for some things because of all the scripts I use, I'm going to buy an R9 390X 8GB graphics card soon and dive into Resolve. Colour correction is very important to me because most of my stuff is shot underwater, and Black Magic really seem to be developing Resolve hard. Lots of new editing features in the 12.5 beta release.

Nick? How's the intuitive Cutting in Resolve compared to the almost Zen-Like, clean-sheet of paper qualities of VegasPro?

I can cut and keep the flow of my edits in Vegas like no other NLE I've seen.

G

People comment about the 3k dongle you need with it, being a Mac, but if you head on over to Tony Mac and get a list of compatible gear its easy to build your own.

Exactly my idea. I am trying it out on my current 3930K system, got a spare SSD lying around that will do just fine for, just need to find the time to do it.

"Nick? How's the intuitive Cutting in Resolve compared to the almost Zen-Like, clean-sheet of paper qualities of VegasPro?"

Dunno yet! Ask me in a few months.

Btw, potential Resolve migrants might care to read Laurence's thread on their forum.