$ 170.00 ouch

I might consider purchasing the assistant only because I do not currenlty own Ultimate S and Excalibur etc. I think this is another positive sign by Sony.

While version 9 did follow something more like a 18 month development cycle, we also saw Sony make at least one acquisition (Valvet Matter).

Personally I think version 9 upgrade is more than some past versions.

Chad

Actually, it does have a few workflow features that don't exist in either Excalibur or Ultimate-S. It appears mainly aimed at broadcasting and could be a pretty decent value at $170 for a specific segment of the market. Between this and the new Vegas v9, it seems that Sony is going to have some products that can more effectively compete in the higher-end market. Isn't making Vegas Pro more "pro" what a number of people on this forum have been asking for?

It would be nice if they offered a demo of this product! I hesitate buying software without being able to kick the tires first.

A demo of production assistant is in the box.
It does a lot of what Ultimate S does, and a lot more than any other scripting app out there. It's less than Ultimate S as well, and includes a lot of lower thirds, film looks, etc. It's got some very unique features that are much easier shown than explained.
Including pre-editing, etc. Come by the Sony booth and see it working. It's a well thought-out application that in some circles, is way past due.
Imagine putting a CF or SDHC card in your reader (with no apps open) and go grab a cup of coffee....60 seconds later, the files will have been imported, laid up on the timeline, titles inserted, and only fine cuts needed (depending on your shooting technique, of course).
In one broadcast application, Production Assistant shaved 25 minutes off a 30 minute workflow. :-)
Fun stuff indeed.

Douglas, please excuse my ignorance, but when you say a demo is "in the box" does that it will be available to download when v9 is released on the 11th?

Yes.
Maybe even before then, as it currently works in Vegas 8Pro as well.

Imagine putting a CF or SDHC card in your reader (with no apps open) and go grab a cup of coffee....60 seconds later, the files will have been imported, laid up on the timeline, titles inserted, and only fine cuts needed (depending on your shooting technique, of course).

Damn. When they say "Production Assistant," they ain't kiddin'. Does it get that coffee for you, too?

Rob

Rob, we're working on a USB coffee maker solution that knows when you've put the card in the reader...it'll press the molasses into the mix. :-)

It's a fun plug tool. Plug a REDdrive, CF, MSPD, SD, Xpress, whatever...

Of course, it'll do more. Batch process 4:3 to wide, create animated pillarboxes around 4:3 for HD/widescreen, add a watermark, whatever...all in the background while you do other things in Vegas.

Is it just me or does that look like the Vasst logo on the bottom right corner of the VPPA box? I wonder if there is a upgrade path for the Ultimate S owner.

Production Assistant is a Sony product. It isn't Ultimate S "5" or anything along those lines. While it does share some of the Ultimate S functionality, Production Assistant has a different workflow, different target, and a unique position for what it brings to the table.
We'll continue to update Ultimate S and offer software to help Vegas users make better video, fasster.

Production Assistant will be available for Vegas Pro 8/9 when Vegas Pro 9 begins shipping.

Hey Spot.... when is Ultimate S going to be revised to work with Vegas Pro 8.1 and/or Pro 9?

I just checked the Vasst website, it's still at version 4.0.6. :-(

I hope the upgrade price will be cheap!

FWIW From Jan Ozer NAB Blog
" Vegas Pro Production Assistant software plug-in, basically a batch production tool that has a diverse range of automatable functions. It was developed in conjunction with VASST and looked incredibly useful in a number of scenarios. "

I would get it in spite of what JO said.