The very small "book" that comes with the boxed version is only the VERY basics. For those who want to read the real meat of the manual, EVERYONE has to download it and print it.

You certainly are not missing much by not getting the standard "printed" manual. And, the complete manual is free for the asking, just download it like we all did.

One thing that was very informative and had a very good format (to me) was these "white papers" that came out with V5 and Acid 4; they covered new functions since last version and provided a "how to" to all of these functions.
Still watching from time to time if there is one for V6 but they don't seem to bother with it anymore...
: (

Well, what do ya know. I figured there was a printed version of the PDF in the box.

Thanks everyone - I'm off to Kinkos :)

I find it easier just to bring up manual and use it while I am working. I guess if I was into it I would print out the manual so I could brush up on Vegas while taking a bathroom break. Perhaps thats a good idea, I'm getting tired of my current reading material.

"I guess if I was into it I would print out the manual so I could brush up on Vegas while taking a bathroom break. "


Believe it or not, thats exactly where I read all of my Vegas and Avid books. Sadly, I think thats why I dont do any reading in a public bathroom because no one ever has any video books to read.

When was the last time you bought software, 1992?

Sorry, just being a tad sarcastic.

I'd like it too, but not if is costs too much. Almost no software-based product, complex enought that it really should have a printed manual, comes with one. Not sure about the stuff that costs $5K or more. Is a manual included for big-dollar comercial stuff? Seems like hardware is more likely to have a printed manual, but even that is getting fuzzy.

Edit: Just fixed a typo

umm these come with printed manuals:

Steinberg Wavelab
Apple Final Cut Pro
Apple DVD Studio
Pinnacle Cinewave
Digidesign ProTools

all PRO software should have printed manuals IMHO.

Reading this thread gave me an idea that I just sent into Sony's Product Suggestion.

Have the HELP file and/or the User's Manual available in a dockable window.
Instead of having a pop-up that gets minimized everytime I do something in Acid/Sound Forge/Vegas, I could dock the User's Manual/HELP alongside Explorer, Media Manager, Chopper, etc.
If I have something I want to look up, I just hit the HELP tab, look up the info, and the step by step help stays right there while I'm performing those steps.

Mario

If you hit F1 the help window does open and stay open while you work.

Just a few months ago, we spent 110,000 dollars on Inscribers and they came with NO printed manuals. In fact, no pdf of manuals exists for that product. The only help is the help file within the program. That is the way it is going. I hate it. I want a manual in the box. I would even pay more for the product to get it. Kinkos is a great place. But, I would like a small sized manual and not 8.5 x 11 that I would get from kinkos.

Oh well, I just live with it.

The problem with the "do it at Kinko" approach is the cost of color printing vs black and white printing. I routinely have Kinko print PDF documents, but only the B/W printing is affordable.

Using the Sony manual in B/W is much less useful than the color version. The screen print illustrations lose a lot.

I object that Sony does not even offer a paper manual for purchase.

The manual is excellent and is well worth studying - and printing out.

Sony did offer a paper manual for purchase in the past, no one bought it. Why bother? Even with e-commerce and printable resellers, it's still costly to layout for print, outside of the html, and in the case of an actual book...the cost of warehousing, inventorying, and simply administering isn't too bad, but the cost of shipping will eat you alive. We've learned this the hard way in the past year, and it's a very expensive proposition. While the Kinko's method might be a PITA for some folks, it's the best way to go, IMO. The guys that want a manual can pay the 30.00 to have it printed, and the guys that don't can use the on-line. Online is at least searchable.

I have printed out the manual, but that is reference only. The way to really learn the program is through the DVD tuotrials offered by Gary Kliener and Douglas Spotted Eagle. Watching someone work through the program works much better than trying to transfer the information on the page to the the program. The video really helps me understand the manual. I have always found that books about the program are better for understanding the manuals. The manuals have the facts, the books have the explanation.

Of course my learning style will not match yours.