If you think about it, the difficulty with the name "Vegas" isn't really about the name on the box or the splash screen.
As several here have mentioned, the problem comes when one of us users has to tell someone what software we use. It could be a prospective client, or a snotty FCP user (I don't see Premier users being snotty. I think they feel more on the dirty end of the credibility stick than we do).
It really comes down to the queasiness we feel about the tawdry, meretricious reputation that Vegas--the city--projects when we're looking to inspire confidence in clients and respect (at least a modicum) from other Pros.
So why don't WE just start using Sony ProEdit in our conversations and communications, and to hell with what Sony puts on the box?
After dropping the "ProEdit bomb" on unsuspecting acquaintances, we can say in a confidential whisper that it's a "special edition software " from Sony, or some such nonsense. Just so long as we don't have to say, "Vegas" and wait for the titters and the noses going up in the air.
Sony ProEdit is a fine name that says what, I think, we want from our NLE.
So that's what I'm going to do from now on. I'm tired of being thrall to a marketing department's ee-haw idea that "Vegas" projects a goofy, faux-sin-city image that will draw clients by the dozen and make other pros wilt with envy.
great idea: you use a fake name of an app & then if someone actually decides to look in to it they find it doesn't exist & think you're being smart with them. :/
Say it's just an affectionate nickname that the insiders use, but the company still brands it Vegas. You could even tell the true story that the forum guys didn't like the name and decided to have one of their own. gives it a warm and fuzzy feeling.
> As several here have mentioned, the problem comes when one of us users has to tell someone what software we use.
When people ask me, I tell the I use the SONY Vegas Editor and they hear the word "SONY", associate it with "quality", and hear the word "Editor" and know what that is, and they may or may not catch the word "Vegas" but it doesn't matter because I've gotten across that I'm using "some" SONY product which must be good. ;-)
If people don't know what Vegas is I explain it to them. Do you make up random nicknames for your car, TV, wife, etc. & tell people a story about how you didn't want to use the proper name?
"You could even tell the true story that SOME OF the forum guys didn't like the name and decided to have one of their own."
There - fixed it.
I believe in calling things by their proper names. Like VEGETABLES, not veggies. Or McDonalds, not Ronnie Mac's.
Prior to version 8, I used Sony Vegas. Now I use Vegas Pro. It deserves to be called by the name given it by the manufacturer/vendor. I think it's pretty presumptuous to assume that Sony should come 'round to your way of thinking.
I think wii, Atari & Nintendo are pretty stupid names, too. The point is, it doesn't matter if a name is descriptive or sensible. If the product is good, it will become known among the targeted user group.
"Interestingly the percentages still held - 68% in favor of a name change to Sony ProEdit..."
I, for one, did not participate, although you can correctly assume that I'm not in favor of trying to persuade SCS to do anything other than fine-tune Vegas & DVD-A. And I'm not offended, either.
If SCS were to publish a poll on this subject, I'd maybe consider the options and cast a ballot. Don't know how I'd vote, either. I'm generally not in favor of changing the name of a product in order to try to change perception.