So, I think I got most of the hiccups sorted out with the new computer system. For reference, here it is again:

*Intel Core i7 Quad-Core Socket LGA1366, 3.06Ghz, 4.8GT/s FSB, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm
*Antec Three Hundred Gaming Case ATX 3/0/6 2xUSB Audio No PS
*Samsung SH-S223C/BEBE SATA Black 22x DVD-Writer OEM
*Western Digital Caviar Black (WD1002FAEX) 1000GB (1TB) SATA3 7200RPM 64MB Cache OEM
*Asus P6x58D-E Socket 1366 Intel x58 + ICH10R Chipset CrossfireX / 3-way SLI Triple-Channel DDR3 2000(o.c.)/1600/1333/1066Mhz 3x PCI-Express 2.0 x16 Dual GigaLAN 8-CH HD Audio 2x SATA 6Gb/s + 6x SATA 3.0Gb.s 2x USB 3.0 ATX
*Asus VE228H, 21.5" LED Widescreen monitor 1920x1080, 5ms (GtG), 10,000,000:1 (ASCR) w/speakers, VGA, DVI-D, HDMI
*Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 High Performance 750W Power Supply
*G.SKILL Ripjaws Series DDR 1600MHz (PC3-12800) 12GB (3X4GB) Triple Channel Kit
*Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
*EVGA GeForce GTX 460 1024MB (01G-P3-1370-TR) nVidia GeForce GTX 460 Chipset (720Mhz) 1024MB (3600 Mhz) GDDR5 Dual Dual-Link DVI/Mini HDMI PCI-Express 2.0 Graphic Card

* * *
I am wondering if my render time now is about right.

I just did a short 2 min 44 sec project. Here were my settings:
-HD 1080-24p (1920x1080, 23.976 fps)
-None (progressive scan)
-Frame Rate: 23.976 (IVTC Film)

Render as settings:
-Windows Media Video V11
-8 Mbps HD 1080-30p
-Video Quality VBR
-Image Size: HD 1440x1080
-Quality 100%
-Rendering Quality: Best

File size was 1.13GB
The render took 11 min and 22 sec to complete.

I think that's about right, given that you're using just a single hard drive for absolutely everything - OS, programs, pagefile, media, media cache, projects, renders and output all on the exact same disk. In addition, you're also downsizing 1920x1080 to 1440x1080. It could have been quite a bit faster had you added a second internal SATA hard disk for your media and projects.

It's on the way. Should have the second drive installed within the next week. I just was itching to try out the new system.

I didn't realize I downsized things. Odd. Still new to this whole HD thing with Vegas.

I did want to ask, though, and not start a separate thread:
I wanted to share the vid here but am unsure the best quality render for Vimeo. I tried one but it looks horrible and doesn't fill the screen and doesn't even say it's HD.

Youtube, on the other hand, is telling me it will take about 8 hours to upload the clip.

Oy vey.

Anyway, for Vimeo and Youtube and such...what's the best render I can do to maintain the HD quality of the vid?

These settings will give you a very nice Web video.

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess being able to use the full 1080 would take forver, huh? Using the above settings the upload onto Youtube only took 20min...dito for Vimeo.

Here are the fruits of my first "loose test" on using the Canon T2i.

Winter's End - A Walk In The Hills Of Gatineau on Vimeo

(why doesn't it give me the HD button on Vimeo, though?)

or for you Youtube folk:
YouTube - Winter's End - A Walk In The Hills Of Gatineau (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DknPObTeBzU)

Can be viwed at 720p.

nice job,

very much enjoyed!