What other NLE would or do you use

farss wrote on 10/27/2009, 2:54 PM

I had an interesting experience a few days ago that kind of goes to the core of what editing is about.

I'd spent hours going through 12 hours of a client's footage logging his comments about what the footage was about and how he'd like it used and suffereing a zillion "can you do this, can I have that effect, can you fix that etc, etc" All I was doing was dropping markers and putting my notes into them as well as scribling down shorthand notes in a book.

So we get to a bit and my editors brain kicks in. I says to the guy, let me just show you something. I do a couple of snip, snips and a delete and says 'now watch this'.
There's one of those pregnant pauses and the client goes 'how did you do that!!???'

Bob.

NickHope wrote on 10/27/2009, 9:46 PM

I would use something with better slomo than Vegas (one of its main limitations IMO). From what I read, that could be Premiere Pro or AE. I used to use Premiere 6 but I hated the way transitions worked when it went to Premiere Pro.

The other NLE "on my radar" is Edius.

HyperMedia wrote on 10/29/2009, 1:41 AM

Since the user base is larger,

Well that is not the case anymore. I'd think the user base in Sony Vegas is much larger now. If you checkout You Tube ' Vegas is the number #1 searchout NLE on You Tube and that includes video tutorials. Also on Digital Juice and many other forums. They are either running 1st and 2nd. Remember Vegas is marketed worldwide. Vegas have really exploded. If Sony really take there market muscle and really push Vegas. It will be the independent filmmaker dream tool. They have the cameras and the software to do this. An...I agreed with most people is to add or buy out Auto Desk Combustion or Corel Cool 3 D Studio. Those programs are not doing anything. Both of those programs are good but need Vegas speed. In addition, their workflow are real clean and simple to learn just like Vegas. Here is a sample: Combustion and Vegas---

Editguy43 wrote on 10/29/2009, 5:28 PM

"I would use something with better slomo than Vegas (one of its main limitations IMO)"

Nick that is what got me started on this what other NLE topic I have been trying to do some slomo and it has been turning out bad, so I downloaded a demo of Edius and its slomo is just what I want smooth video + non choppy audio.
The interface is a bit awkward and not near as flexible as Vegas and Vegas is still way faster for the type of editing I do but it would be a good addition. I would love to learn AE but that seems way to complicated.

Coursedesign wrote on 10/29/2009, 8:26 PM

AE is a good complement to any NLE if you need to do more complex work frequently.

The best way to learn it imho is through the book After Effects Apprentice by Trish & Chris Meyer. I have spent some time with these two live, they are incredible teachers who can do high quality stuff in addition to teaching it.

The book (with accompanying DVD-ROM) is very well organized, and I don't think anyone can learn AE faster than by using this.

They also have a CS3 version of the book, just as good.

wordman wrote on 10/29/2009, 8:52 PM

Well, I can tell you which one I would NOT use and that would be Pinnacle. It is a simpler interface that takes at least 3 times as long to render than Vegas does. I would HATE to be without Vegas.

Now here's the WHY behind my comment:
I used a JVC camera that issued a proprietary file format (.TOD) and Pinnacle claimed to be able to open these files. It did...sorta. Gave me endless grief with this combination. THEN...I was able to step up and bought a Sony EX-1, which also necessitated buying Vegas. I was concerned that jumping from something simple like Pinnacle to the initially intimidating Vegas interface would set me back in time having to learn the software. I was wrong. The free tutorial videos on this website helped me understand Vegas in less than a day. Now, I can not IMAGINE having to use another program. Vegas is, for me, the only way to go. It's FAST in rendering and easy to use.

And this is from someone with under a year of NLE experience.

Cheers!

wordman

jabloomf1230 wrote on 10/29/2009, 9:59 PM

You may be right on Vegas' user base. I'm not really sure about overall usage, but given that Apple constantly cites the fact that FCP has 1.4 million users and that number represents 50% of the prosumer-type NLE user base worldwide, both Vegas and Premiere combined must have smaller user bases. But then again, Apple isn't prone to exaggeration. From their increasingly obnoxious TV commercials, you would never know how small a percentage of the installed laptop/desktop market that Apple actually has.

Also, I don't think that I would rely on the YouTube search approach, as like Premiere, Vegas also has consumer level versions like Movie Studio, which are still referred to as "Vegas". Maybe someone can find an online article with actual sales figures.

Former user wrote on 10/30/2009, 1:08 AM

AE is a strange beast. I can't imagine using anyone using it as an editor, since it's really an FX and compositing tool.

This is edited in Vegas, but each of the sections are created in AE:

- everything on that Channel is cut with Vegas (with some compositing help from AE, Magic Bullet Looks, Particular, etc).

It's definitely got its own way of doing things, but I've only been using it for a few months. Give yourself plenty of time to learn the environment (the biggest obstacle) and pick up the Adobe "Classroom in a book" and go through it. Once you have that, there are tons of Creative Cow tutorials and other resources online for ideas and help.

But Vegas is TOTALLY my editor of choice (I've had to use PPro and FCP...it makes me very grumpy).

HyperMedia wrote on 10/30/2009, 3:30 AM

Yes...you are right....Apple may have the Pro segment user base. But I think Vegas have the consumer market over Premiere. And the consumer market is much bigger. Vegas pro market is growing. Just the other day I met someone using Vegas and The Red camera. They were using Final Cut Pro.

Furthermore the data--- far as YouTube I was very surprise seeing the number of people searching and using Vegas on You Tube and other forums. But I did go to other top forums like Digital Juice ,Pop and DV video etc. And I was very suprise that Vegas is 1 or 2 in forum activities. So that tells me more people are using this tool. And...I can remember 3 years ago when everybody started to post videos on You Tube. Their were not that many Sony Vegas videos online. Now you have over 404,000 videos related to Vegas software. That's beating out Final Cut ,Avid and Premiere. My background was Avid then Premiere then Vegas 3. Also...6 or 7 years ago it took a long time to edit video on the computers. That's when I bump into Vegas Video 3. I'd love it and how fast you can edit compare to Avid and Premiere. Too much time and steps just to experiment with your footages. So now you have it.

Thanks:)