It's not a "Free Version" it's a "Trial" version.

I am new to video processing, but my first observation was that video can process correctly in the first 1-2 minutes before the numerous types of failed frames etc, dependent of issue.

We could argue about a customer not having the right hardware, software or process compatibility, but it is better the trial users find such issues before expending time and resources.

I would hold the same argument and position regarding many computer software products.

It is easy for the seller to get buyer invested in product through demands and limitations.

At the end of day, only so many people will ever have the money to buy software products.

There is a money back time limit if you buy the software and pound on it within that period of time.

You get the full, not "limited" version.

You can ask all the questions you like, see if your hardware is capable, along with actually editing and rendering projects.

A time limit of the length you can export for the "trial", I don't see it as an issue, nor a bug. The only ones that seem to complain are those that aren't really interested in buying the software, but using it for free.

You can even try Vegas 365 and rent the software for a nominal fee for one month. More than enough time to do what you want and see if Vegas Pro fits your needs.

I do not see the problem with a watermark, but think the 2minute time limit is a bad choice.
Someone that tries for free, is better than less people using software.

The money back trial of full version sounds good for people with cash to tie up.

As inventor, I was advised that you must be willing to improve your product to be the best.
That protecting product should not get in the way of selling it.

So I have this block buster made of 100x 2 minute segments :)

As inventor, I was advised that you must be willing to improve your product to be the best.

Did your inventions offer all potential customers trial versions before purchase? And if you did offer a trial, were there limitations in the trial version?

Are your inventions in the digital world or physical/mechanical in nature thus much less prone to pirating and theft than is the digital world of products?

If you've ever bought a car, did the dealership offer you an unlimited 30 days trial of the car? I can't afford a Ferrari but I'd love to trial one for a month.

The money back trial of full version sounds good for people with cash to tie up.

It doesn't seem like there's a strong intention to buy because the money back offer doesn't seem to appeal. If your aim is to trial the product with the intention to buy if you end up liking the product, then you would clearly need to have the funds available in the first place in order to make the purchase.

So I have this block buster made of 100x 2 minute segments

As @EricLNZ said:

It's not a "Free Version" it's a "Trial" version.

I gave my personal opinion.
I do not demand people agree, or argue against others having a different opinion.

Regarding "So I have this block buster made of 100x 2 minute segments :)"
Some light hearted humour!

Cheers.

I do not see the problem with a watermark, but think the 2minute time limit is a bad choice.
Someone that tries for free, is better than less people using software.

I think that's true. Ideally I would think you want to get a new user to do everything they would want to do, get used to it, love the product, can't do without it, then OH NO, 30 day expiry message. Have a watermark that changes position. It's a sort of a meme now, but I can vaguely recall hacks that involve constantly putting your computer date/time back so the 30 days never expire. That was never about vegas though, but various shareware programs, and I would bet that doesn't foil the 30 day expiry on anything today

I'm a home user, nothing commercial, have Movie Studio Platinum 15 and was considering upgrade to 17. Today I downloaded and installed the trial, wanted to do a test on a new project, but those limitations put me off immediately. I didn't know about them in advance, I know it's common to have limitations, but recently I'm used to stuff like REAPER that doesn't care about limitations at all (yes, I own the license), I can test it completely, no hassle. I can do what I need in 15, but I wanted to see how 17 works FULLY for a limited time. Now I need to create two mini projects instead of one just to see the render. Now I read also about the watermark, so if I want to USE 17 for a while, I need to do everything twice anyway (in version 15 as well to see the result). I uninstalled 17 trial. Now I'm angry and will try to live with 15 a bit longer.
Version 15 sometimes randomly freezes during rendering, how am I suppose to see how much better 17 is in this regard? On one minute clips? Hardly.
Movie Studio is super intuitive software otherwise, I tried to deflect to DaVinci Resolve, but some stuff is overly complicated there. Pan/trim window is so superior here, overlapping clips for transitions... I wanted to end my suffering and see what 17 can do for me, but not like this. Of course, it's your policy, I'm just saying how I feel it. And yes, it's not that bad, at least you're not using iLok or something. :-) I think most customers don't plan to use the software for 30 days only, and I wouldn't care at all what they are doing during those 30 days. Limited experience means I can't "beat the crap out of 17 during 30 days" and then decide whether I want it and it's worth that otherwise reasonable price.

Where are you downloading Vegas Pro 17 Trial from? It couldn't be from Vegas Creative Software's (i.e. MAGIX's) website because Vegas Pro 18 replaced 17 in early August this year - and the only trial version currently available is for Vegas Pro 18.

Nonetheless, the trial version of Vegas Pro only allows for a project of under 2 minutes in length to be rendered - it is a trial after all, not a free version as was highlighted earlier in this post by @EricLNZ.

But yes, you can 'beat the crap' out of the trial version of Vegas Pro in a project that is under 2 minutes in length in regard to rendering only. The render limitation is for you to 'trial' examples of the render options only.

NLE and plugin companies have different approaches to trial versions - some even place an 'X' over the image.

One can always "rent" the full version for a month to see if it's for them. Heck, rent it for two months if you like.

Maybe Vegas should have a huge water mark on every exported file in the "trial" version.

And I agree, that "iLok" is the worst.... hate it.

What the heck!! why my replies in this post were deleted? is it common practice in this forum, deleting posts if they don't like it?

Please note that some of the comments in this thread have been hidden due to violations of Community rule #6.

Please note that some of the comments in this thread have been hidden due to violations of Community rule #6.

aha that's new! so freedom of speech not respected here! ok ok I got it and i should not waste my time again writing my opinions cuz moderators will not moderate it but delete it completely

Community rule #6: "We want to keep the quality of discussions at a consistently high level and prevent content which is offensive to users, MAGIX employees and moderators. Those who use the forums as a personal venting ground, as well as those who repeatedly cause trouble, will face consequences for doing so. 

Harassing other members may be met with warnings, temporary bans or complete removal from the community by the editors and moderators. Private messages should also be written in an appropriate tone." 

Community rule #6: "We want to keep the quality of discussions at a consistently high level and prevent content which is offensive to users, MAGIX employees and moderators. Those who use the forums as a personal venting ground, as well as those who repeatedly cause trouble, will face consequences for doing so. 

Harassing other members may be met with warnings, temporary bans or complete removal from the community by the editors and moderators. Private messages should also be written in an appropriate tone." 

in other word, don't bother to share your opinion .. ok got it

Refrain from personal attacks in your comments. The opinions are allowed.

Refrain from personal attacks in your comments. The opinions are allowed.

I never attacked any one! When did I attacked someone?

You have a PM.

Where are you downloading Vegas Pro 17 Trial from?

@Dexcon Actually it's probably Vegas Movie Studio 17 that virgo47 downloaded according to the first line of his post.

We're fortunate that Magix provide 30 day trials, albeit with limitations. Some software producers don't.

@EricLNZ  ... On reading it again, I think you're right. I guess it would have been preferable had the OP posted on the Movie Studio forum rather than adding on to an existing Vegas Pro 17 post. I was reading it as though he wanted to upgrade from MS to VP. Cheers. Conrad.