VMS10 - Anything "really" new?

Markk655 wrote on 6/9/2010, 7:53 AM
I have read the description, begun a few tests. Still I wonder if there is anything new under the hood in SVMSP.

Lots of nice add-ins (color corrector, soundtracks, NewBlueFX). MAYBE some GPU-enhanced rendering. But have they fixed some of the key issues?

- .mov from digicams?
- rendering to AVC using specific codecs?
- memory fix

The files I typically use are AVCHD/DD5.1. When they are brought into the trimmer (my preferred editing workflow), the audio becomes unbalanced (always louder on the right side than the left by >2:1). Sony support mentioned to me that they knew about the bug (had to do with how they summed/averaged the surround sound into 2 tracks) and that it would be fixed in the next update. Not only wasn't there another V9 update, but I still see it in V10. Hence the question in the title.

So curious to what others think and also curious if other AVCHD/5.1 users see it too (or is it just because I am using a 1st gen AVCHD camcorder. The audio is fine when dragged to the timeline. The issues is just in the trimmer.

Comments

Ivan Lietaert wrote on 6/9/2010, 8:12 AM
At least in 'adjust size and quality for optimal playback' mode, VMS10 appears to transcode video in the background in order to generate 24/25 fps in preview playback (at adjusted quality, of course). This imo does take quite a while, and unfortunately, when you close the project, the transcoded files get lost, and when you reopen the project, the transcoding starts anew, from zero.

Now I can use my native avchd files (Canon T2i dslr) with the mov extension, without the need to transcode first with neoscene or mpeg streamclip.

Also, even with longer projects, these mov files don't crash VMS.

So it seems some of the memory issues have been dealt with.
Markk655 wrote on 6/9/2010, 8:38 AM
Ivan,

Thanks - I don't have VMS in front of me, but I think there was a setting in preferences that allowed you to save the transcoded files when Vegas is shut down. Might be worth a quick look.
kierang wrote on 6/9/2010, 12:20 PM
How about "Up to 10 video tracks." and "Subclips in the Trimmer window." "
Markk655 wrote on 6/9/2010, 12:49 PM
Not to be negative as I do like SVMS, but the 10 tracks are really just an add-in. The Pro version has unlimited tracks. For VMSP, the extra 6 tracks just mean they aren't limiting us as much.

The subclips are a positive addition.

I will also add device explorer, which is a nice upgrade, but that is still not really part of the engine. It is more of a "door"!

I guess I was thinking about rendering speeds, performance, codecs, etc...The GPU acceleration is a big plus - if you have one that is supported.

From the Release notes...Have a look through them (see trial download page) as they have the most comprehensive list of changes available to us.

For example - Audio-waveform drawing during recording has been improved:

Vegas Movie Studio can now automatically adjust the video preview size and quality to optimize frame rate during preview. Right-click the Video Preview window and select Adjust Size and Quality for Optimal Playback if you want to emphasize frame rate during preview. When the command is not selected, video quality is emphasized, and the frame rate will be reduced if necessary.

Select the Adjust source media to better match project or render settings check box on the Video tab of the Project Properties dialog to enable Vegas Movie Studio to make minor changes to your source media properties — including cropping/padding frame size or adjusting interlacing — to allow media files to work better with your project.

This wikll help me too - In the Video Media Generators dialog, you can now click the Match Event Length button to set the length of the generated media to match the length of the event.

All in all, it looks like it is worth the upgrade price for the extra bells & whistles. Of course, I would still appreciate it if they fixed the trimmer audio for my "standard" AVCHD clips.
Ivan Lietaert wrote on 6/9/2010, 1:24 PM
The number of tracks imo is more like a marketing gimmick.
In the past two years, I have never used more than 3 video tracks.

Rendering time, export formats, preview playback and stability are much more crucial.

Some effects like Stabilize and secondary color corrector may also be important.
Tim L wrote on 6/9/2010, 6:55 PM
The number of tracks imo is more like a marketing gimmick.

While many video projects only need a couple tracks, I think a lot of people will really make use of the 10 tracks. Perhaps you have a project where you want to identify four or five individuals by sliding individual photos onto the screen with corresponding titles appearing to identify them. That's 8 to 10 tracks right there.

It's easy to use five or six tracks just for text items, where you might have a bullet list of some kind and want to slide the items on the screen one at a time, or fade them on one at a time, etc.

There are workarounds for both of these items, but it's nice to have the extra tracks and not need workarounds.
vt7dust wrote on 6/9/2010, 10:58 PM
I can't remember the last time I used 4 or less tracks. I moved from Vegas Movie Studio 9 to Vegas Pro 8 mostly to gain access to unlimited tracks. I average about 6 video tracks.

10 tracks makes a huge difference. I would switch to Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum and sell Vegas Pro IF there was a 64bit version of the software which would allow me to use all my RAM and all 6 cores of my processor. As it is I'm just going to hold off and upgrade to Vegas Pro 10 whenever that comes out.