Over here at Videoguys.com getting lots of calls & emails about Vista and NLE. We're taking the following position for now which we've posted on our systems recommendtations page http://www.videoguys.com/system.htm :

Windows Vista – Not yet – wait for 64 bit drivers.

Microsoft has finally shipped their much awaited and hyped next OS – Vista. For Digital Videographers we have one piece of advice: Do Not Upgrade (Yet)

Here are our top reasons why we feel you MUST WAIT before upgrading or migrating to Vista

1. Wait for certified Vista 64 bit drivers for your software and hardware. We see no reason or advantage at all for upgrading to the 32 bit version of Vista. It eats up resources and at best you will get the same performance you already have under WinXP. Once we have 64bit software and drivers to offer you, we will begin recommending Vista
2. Vista has too many flavors, and we have no idea which one will offer the best value and performance for video editing. You don’t want to have to upgrade to a more expensive version in a few months, and you don’t want to overpay for the more expensive flavors if you don’t need it.
3. Vista, video cards and graphics drivers. One of the coolest new features about Vista is the Aero display technology that allow you to see and work with multiple windows in 3D space. Very cool! But what will that do for video editing? I’m concerned it will steal resources and slow us down. We recommend waiting until we can recommend the right optimized graphics drivers and settings for you.

There is no doubt that some time this year, probably early summer after the first Service Packs have been released we will change our tune. At first we’ll tell you to proceed with caution, but give it a try – especially once we get Vista certified version of our software. But I don’t think you’ll see us giving it our top recommendation until it can deliver on the full promise of 64 bit computing. Then there will be no turning back.

Down the road Vista will allow us to take full advantage of multiple CPU cores, utilization of 4,6,8 or more GBs of RAM and even multiple graphic cards running multiple HD displays. Eventually we’ll see new NLE software GUIs and interfaces that tap into the Aero technology to make editing even easier and more productive. We’re just not there yet. Give it time. By this time next year I think we’ll have it all – and more!!

Gary

Nice advice.

I usually wait at least a year before installing any new Microsoft product.

Is it possible to use the Aero technology without using the ugly Aero theme? Whenever I get my hands on a Windows machine I always switch the display settings back to the "Classic" theme.

On top of the above, I find translucent windows to be a pointless gimmick, one that I imagine needlessly eats computing power.

wow, gary, thanks for the advice. i was just about to ask this very question...the screwy five-edition release of vista has me completely confused as to which version to purchase, now that our computers are switched to intel-based macs...

but if i had an immediate need, let's just say, which one *would* i be best served by purchasing? i have a pending project which, if the contract gets signed may require an .avi output, and i was thinking about buying vista and a cheapie PC-based NLE, for the purposes of cross-platform compatibility. i don't think it will need 64-bit processing.

Robert: yes you can disable it, but I think it's the first 'new' Windows GUI that actually looks nice (I'm running XP in the classic look as well). It doesn't really eat resources since all the work for it is being done on your graphics card which would otherwise not be doing much else. It might draw a bit more power due to this (but tests so far were not able to really confirm this), but you should not experience any slow downs or more resource use due to this.

Also keep in mind that Vista caches and pre-allocates a lot more than previous Windows versions. So it appears to use a lot more memory when in reality it will give portions of it up when you start using programs that require more memory.


Meryem: see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx to help you decide. I would ignore Home Basic. So that leaves you with Home Premium, Business or Ultimate (in order of price). I think Home Premium has what most people need. Business might be nice for that full system backup feature, but I haven't checked that out myself. Ultimate is probably overkill for most (unless you want that backup feature but also want Media Center for example).

thanks for your help, rob. that's exactly the info i needed. home premium oughta work. i can see the efficiencies of 2-tiered price structuring, but 5 is just odd.

Meryem: see http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx to help you decide. I would ignore Home Basic. So that leaves you with Home Premium, Business or Ultimate (in order of price). I think Home Premium has what most people need. Business might be nice for that full system backup feature, but I haven't checked that out myself. Ultimate is probably overkill for most (unless you want that backup feature but also want Media Center for example).
With Ultimate, you get a free Texas Hold'em Poker Game ;) That should be reason enough, right?

The ultimate decider is, "do you use that system to make money?" If so, don't convert until your money-making software says they support Vista. If you have free time to experiment, feel free.

I have Vista booting on my Render drive so I can test. Just not ready to switch my main OS yet. Not everything has been tested.

Ever wondered how MIG, HDCP, EVR, PVP and AACS were inter-related?

http://badvista.fsf.org/blog/images/Slide15.jpg

Yeah.... it's for real.

Ever wondered how MIG, HDCP, EVR, PVP and AACS were inter-related?

http://badvista.fsf.org/blog/images/Slide15.jpg

Yeah.... it's for real.
This is a slide that shows how to run through the layers of an OS. Parts of it are missing, in the wrong place, and mislabeled. It is also not a Microsoft slide. Here is how MS would label it http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms797619.aspx

Not sure what the point is. If it is about a conspiracy, this is not the slide that shows one. This maze was not created by Microsoft. The studios created this mess. And the site linked hates Vista. Like they care as their real motto is ABM - Anything But Microsoft.

It's 100% authentic, direct from Microsoft - Here's the whole briefing:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/8/f/98f3fe47-dfc3-4e74-92a3-088782200fe7/TWEN05006_WinHEC05.ppt

You're correct though, it's jam-packed with errors and omissions - mostly intentional considering the subject matter. Ingenious disinformation ya?

But definately suitable for framing - plotting to Iris now.

It's 100% authentic, direct from Microsoft - Here's the whole briefing:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/8/f/98f3fe47-dfc3-4e74-92a3-088782200fe7/TWEN05006_WinHEC05.ppt

You're correct though, it's jam-packed with errors and omissions - mostly intentional considering the subject matter. Ingenious disinformation ya?

But definately suitable for framing - plotting to Iris now.

Hmmm... Last time I saw Dave Marsh present the Longhorn WDDM was in 2004. That is his slide then. Then it did not include all the rest of it. That kernel stub was supposed to move to the user mode. Geez. HDMI was not part of the spec then either. It WAS so much simplier before all this required content protection garbage had to be put in.

Oh, and you can believe what you want, but this is compliance with Hollywood. Apple has to do the same thing in their next OS.

Currently running 64bit XP Pro (based off of Server 2003 code) - With ALL 64bit drivers and a nice set of 64bit software now. Premiere (32bit) runs just as fast, Windows x64 runs faster than 32bit XP or Vista. Why wait for more hardware power and eye candy drivers, go XP 64bit...

I agree..I just go rid of my 32bit xp and switched to 64bit...haven't really played with it yet...but so far...seems a lot more stable than the 32bit and starts up the computer faster than before.

When's this coming out?

When's this coming out?

What, XP Pro x64? If so, it's been available for a long time. But, according to MS, you get it with a computer:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/howtobuy/default.mspx

Or, with an MSDN subscription.

However, there is the "Microsoft Windows XP Pro X64 Edition SP2B for System Builders", as available from Amazon for $139.99:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-System-Builders-Guarantee/dp/B000JTBX08

- which states it comes from TigerDirect.com.

(Read the small print, though. You can only do a clean install - you can't upgrade from a previous version of Windows.)

Its been a while since this post was updated, and a search for 'vista 64' only really brought up this one thread, so I figured I'd add to it.

How has the editing world been working recently with Vista 64x? Is it still not recommended?

I have been running vista for about 6-8 months now with no issues. 64x, on a AMD 1.8 Opteron (oc'd to 2.4) with 4GB of ram. I do a wack load of photoediting, with no issues. Lightroom/PS CS3.

I've used (hold the laughter) windows movie maker and it seems to work fine with the HV10/HV20. However from my previous use years and years ago in Premier, I'd like to try something with more options.

So my question is, is there any programs out there yet that work fine in Vista 64x? TIA!