Need help before pulling the trigger on Vegas at DVinfo.net

Tim Cee · June 23rd, 2008, 07:32 AM

I have a couple questions before buying Vegas Pro today. As a Newbie here I just want to make sure of a few things before I get it based on your input Folk's.

I have some AVCHD footage from my Sony HDR SR1 on my hardrive now. I am getting a Canon A1 HD Cam this week. My sytem specs are below in case that is needed.

Q-Are both formats able to coexist and be edited together with Vegas Pro?

Q-Is there any other helpful hints I should know before getting and installing Vegas Pro?

My System: Dell XPS420
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6700 at 2.66 GHz
4 GB Ram
Vista Home Premium

Thanks Everyone,

Tim

Barry Wilkinson · June 23rd, 2008, 09:00 AM

I have just bought Vegas Pro and it runs well on a similar spec computer to yours. Its a pity it doesnt come with a full printed manual though.

Edward Troxel · June 23rd, 2008, 09:20 AM

Tim, you can definitely mix multiple formats on the same timeline.

Tim Cee · June 23rd, 2008, 09:55 AM

Thank You Very Much!
Another thing I wanted to ask is which method is better to bring the footage onto my PC? Going straight from the Camera to Vegas or from the Camera onto the hard drive via the Canon supplied software that comes with the A1 and then grab it using Vegas when ready to edit?
Thanks again everyone,
Tim

Garrett Low · June 23rd, 2008, 10:18 AM

Hi Tim,

I've been using Vegas Pro for about 6 months now, before that I was using Vegas 7. I just got done building a new NLE machine off of the Intel Q9450 running under Vista Ultimate. I've got an A1 and an HV20.

Vegas works out great and yes you can mix formats without any problems. I've even done HD and SD mixes. I usually keep them on separate timelines mostly for ease of organization when editing.

I also use Cineform NEO HDV so I usually capture using that program as I can capture and convert to avi in one step. My usual workflow is to capture all footage, convert to avi's, edit avi's, render to final format, burn DVD's. I've never used the Canon Supplied software, as a matter of fact I never even loaded it on my machine. I don't think there is any difference between capturing with Vegas or another software quality wise. The only advantage to capturing using Vegas is that it can automatically be added to the project.

If you capture SD footage the advantage for using Vegas is that you can actually log your footage which is a big help in keeping track of your takes. It also has the advantage of timecoding so if you need to recapture you can get the exact clip back. I don't think logging works with HD footage.

June 23rd, 2008, 07:32 AM	#1
Tim Cee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 179	Need help before pulling the trigger on Vegas I have a couple questions before buying Vegas Pro today. As a Newbie here I just want to make sure of a few things before I get it based on your input Folk's. I have some AVCHD footage from my Sony HDR SR1 on my hardrive now. I am getting a Canon A1 HD Cam this week. My sytem specs are below in case that is needed. Q-Are both formats able to coexist and be edited together with Vegas Pro? Q-Is there any other helpful hints I should know before getting and installing Vegas Pro? My System: Dell XPS420 Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6700 at 2.66 GHz 4 GB Ram Vista Home Premium Thanks Everyone, Tim __________________ www.socalt.com

June 23rd, 2008, 09:00 AM	#2
Barry Wilkinson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grange over Sands UK Posts: 99	I have just bought Vegas Pro and it runs well on a similar spec computer to yours. Its a pity it doesnt come with a full printed manual though. __________________ Cameraman BBC and ITV since 1966

June 23rd, 2008, 09:20 AM	#3
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Tim, you can definitely mix multiple formats on the same timeline. __________________ Edward Troxel [SCVU] JETDV Scripts/Scripting Tutorials/Excalibur/Montage Magic/Newsletters

June 23rd, 2008, 09:55 AM	#4
Tim Cee Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 179	Thank You Very Much! Another thing I wanted to ask is which method is better to bring the footage onto my PC? Going straight from the Camera to Vegas or from the Camera onto the hard drive via the Canon supplied software that comes with the A1 and then grab it using Vegas when ready to edit? Thanks again everyone, Tim __________________ www.socalt.com

June 23rd, 2008, 10:18 AM	#5
Garrett Low Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 1,774	Hi Tim, I've been using Vegas Pro for about 6 months now, before that I was using Vegas 7. I just got done building a new NLE machine off of the Intel Q9450 running under Vista Ultimate. I've got an A1 and an HV20. Vegas works out great and yes you can mix formats without any problems. I've even done HD and SD mixes. I usually keep them on separate timelines mostly for ease of organization when editing. I also use Cineform NEO HDV so I usually capture using that program as I can capture and convert to avi in one step. My usual workflow is to capture all footage, convert to avi's, edit avi's, render to final format, burn DVD's. I've never used the Canon Supplied software, as a matter of fact I never even loaded it on my machine. I don't think there is any difference between capturing with Vegas or another software quality wise. The only advantage to capturing using Vegas is that it can automatically be added to the project. If you capture SD footage the advantage for using Vegas is that you can actually log your footage which is a big help in keeping track of your takes. It also has the advantage of timecoding so if you need to recapture you can get the exact clip back. I don't think logging works with HD footage.