Movie Studio also has the CineForm codec installed with the product.

I checked my installation of Vegas Movie Studio Platinum. I am up to date (6.0b build 126), but my capture of HDV using the internal capture utility results in a .m2t file extension. Also, when I try to render to the Cineform intermediate Codec, I get the message that my trial has run out. I assume this is from the HD Connect trial I installed at one time.

I do have the codec on board for capturing in Premiere Pro 1.51 and can edit with it in that application.

So my question is what have I done wrong to not have access to the Cineform codec in Vegas Movie Studio Platinum.

Chris,

When using the Cineform codec included with Vegas you still capture the native m2t, then you render it to Cineform Intermediate. (It is only with Connect HD that you capture "directly" to Cineform).

As for the other issue, there is a problem (bug) with the interaction with the trial, others have also hit this. To solve it I think you need to reinstall Vegas.

Mark

Thanks Mark, I just did the reinstall, and now have the ability you indicate.

I guess the good thing is I can capture with Cineform in Premiere Pro 1.51, then bring it into Vegas MS to edit if I want to go that way.

Here's what I don't understand...

There are 3 benefits to an intermediate, as I understand it:

1) Improved workflow on slower machines
2) No GOP issues
3) Less compression, therefore fewer artifacts on recompression...

Let's assume we're going to edit on a wicked fast machine (dual opteron), so #1 isn't an issue...

Let's assume we're editing directly from the HDV files to the final format in 1 generation. Since we'd have to use this same generation to get to the intermediate, #3 isn't an issue (or not much of one)...

With regards to #2, I have been doing some experiments with cuts and disolves and other effects with PP2 and Vegas on HDV, and the rendered result seems very smooth and accurate, no matter which frame I start or end the effect on. In fact, has anyone had any GOP issues with native HDV in Vegas or PP2? I've heard all about it, but can't replicate it myself...

If #2 turns out to be a boogeyman, and 1 and 3 are not big issues, I still don't see the need to jump to an intermediate if my performance is good with HDV, and my editing needs are simple (cuts and dissolves, not heavy compositing, etc...)

Finally, many 'pro' level packages have been touting native-HDV editing latley (such as $10K+ Axios, avid, and others) so the idea that it's not something 'pros' want to do seems odd.

DSE? What say you? (Don't hurt me...)

Best,

Benjamin

Another reason you need an intermediate is because Vegas can currently only handle about 80 m2t clips on a timeline at once before it crashes.

on a relatively fast 'puter (say...3.6GHz or faster) there is virtually no difference at all. CineForm is incredibly optimized. If you do a lot of editing, it's foolishness to not use it, IMO.

and later:
Yes, Vegas loves dual cores.

Would be a notebook with an Intel dual core 1,666 MHz and 1 GB Ram be enough? They are quite inexpensive now, or should it be min. a dual core 1,830 MHz?