Cool! Thankis.

Bob

WHAT? Let me see if I understand this correctly. I want to add Chroma Keying capability so for that I have to spend $399? .............or I can get Sony's version of VF called Screenblast Movie Maker for $69? Am I seeing things correctly here or am I looking through a weird reality visual filter effect? I think I know what I am going to do. Please let me know if I am wrong?

Bob

Well, in a word, yes, you see this correctly.

However, keep in mind that ChromaKeying isn't the only additional feature you get with Vegas. You'll get a few thousand other toys as well and if you can make use of even a few of them then it's worth the upgrade price. Just having unlimited tracks alone was worth it for me.

On the other hand, if ChromaKeying is the only thing you want, then the upgrade probably isn't worth it. Go for the ScreenBlast version of VideoFactory instead. You'll be spending $69 for just one and only one additional feature though.

Vegas does a lot more than just add Chroma Keying, but if that is the one thing you are missing in VF, then you are better off with Screenblast.

Vegas adds multiple audio and video tracks, more control over zooming and positioning, printing to tape from the timeline, ( no need to create an AVI first) and tons more. It just depends on what you need.

Dave T2

(chienworks beat me to it)

If all you want is Video Factory with chroma keying capability, Screenblast Movie Maker should suit you fine.

However, Vegas is a lot more than just Video Factory plus a chorma key plugin. Here is a chart that compares both products:

http://www.sonicfoundry.com/Products/showproduct.asp?PID=490&FeatureID=4461

Also, bear in mind that Vegas 4 has a lot more features than Vegas 3.

It is true that Video Factory has a lot of Vegas' power. However, that doesn't make Vegas a ripoff - it makes Video Factory a bargain.

Bob,
If all you want to do is add chroma keying capability then you may as well just get Screenblast Movie Studio. The user interface is identical to VF and I think it will open your VF projects too. Remember though that Vegas Video has MANY more features and tools making it worth $399 for the advanced user.

-Dave

..............why is it that anytime I think a decision appears to be easy it turns out to be difficult? I hope I never implied that I thought Vegas was a ripoff. It is my goal to get it but I just can't afford it right now and I have a project that requires Chroma keying. Curses, back on the horns of a dilemna again. Thanks guys. No seriously, I mean it not sarcastically. This forum is great.

Bob

If you are in a pinch and need chroma key, go to www.NateTrue.com and click on the Programs link and download MasterKey for free. It works really nice as a keying tool. Also check out the other fine free utilities that do things like velocity envelopes and rotoscoping all for free. This won’t replace Vegas 3 or 4 but it will hold you over until you can afford to upgrade.

~jr

Cool. Thanks. That sounds like a plan.

Downloaded MasterKey and installed it. However it does not seem to recognize any of my DV clips.

This could be the problem with Vegas capturing and creating OpenDML 2.0 compliant files by default but not many other applications can read them. See the Vegas Tips section of my web site for instructions on how to fix this. VideoFactory may have the same problem. Let me know if that fixes it.

~jr