Anybody using virtual OS's for Vegas?

smhontz wrote on 7/28/2015, 6:57 PM

I'm thinking about building a new PC (or getting a Mac) and I'm pondering using something like VMWare or Parallels to make virtual OS sandboxes.

I have to use my PC both for video editing and other work, and I think that it eventually gets mucked up with too many things installed on it. So, I was thinking I would create a virtual machine just for video editing - just the bare bones OS, Vegas, video drivers, maybe Photoshop. And maybe a separate virtual machine for my programming work.

Then, when there's a new update to Vegas, I can clone my current Vegas environment, and upgrade in the new one, so I still have the previous one to fall back on in case of problems.

I'm also thinking I may want to install Premiere in a sandbox, too, as I've become frustrated with Vega's problems dealing with organizing media. Then I can learn to work with it, without worrying it might be corrupting my Vegas install.

Is anyone doing something like this?

Comments

Red Prince wrote on 7/28/2015, 11:38 PM

You don’t need a different virtual OS just to upgrade Vegas and keep the old Vegas environment. You can have as many different versions of Vegas installed on the same computer and the same OS as you want. Each version is installed in a different directory/folder and keeps its environment in it.

The only thing that is not preserved is which of them is the default program to open the .veg file when you double-click on them because that is handled by the OS (or, actually, by the shell), not by Vegas. But you can run any of the installed versions of Vegas and open the .veg files from that.

TheHappyFriar wrote on 7/29/2015, 5:26 AM

I have Vegas & MSVC Community + dev kits all installed w/o issues.

If you're worried, I'd suggest a multi-boot environment, or, which is even simpler, buy a cheap used computer & have two computers.

JohnnyRoy wrote on 7/29/2015, 6:49 AM

> "Is anyone doing something like this?"

Yup, I work like this every day and it rocks!

I purchased a 2010 Mac Pro 2.93GHz 12-Core/24-Thread, 24GB ECC Memory, AMD Radeon HD 5870, 1TB+ Apple Raid Card w/6TB RAID 5 on eBay for only $2275. This is my main editing workstation (I sold my last PC). I created a Bootcamp partition to run Windows natively but I also use VMware Fusion to run multiple Windows environments in OS X. Some of those environments are Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8, with Vegas 6 thru Vegas Pro 13.0 installed because I have to test that the VASST plug-ins that I develop work in all of the environments my customers might be using. This means I need VM's with just one version of Vegas installed so that I can test in isolation.

So I run Vegas Pro in a VMware Fusion VM all the time. I only reboot into native Windows when I need GPU support but that's very rare because Vegas Pro performs really well in a virtual machine and you are correct, it is solid as a rock because it's just the OS and Vegas Pro and nothing to get in the way. I can even boot my Bootcamp partition in VMware so the same disk can be used in a virtual machine and natively. The ability to snapshot a VM try something and then restore it if it doesn't work out outstanding.

Here is a screen shot of Vegas Pro running in VMware's Unity mode right on my Mac OS X desktop just like any other Mac app. This allows me to use Final Cut Pro X, Motion, Compressor, Logic Pro X, Sound Forge for Mac, and Vegas Pro all on one workstation. Notice below that I'm using Boris Continuum Complete plug-ins with Vegas Pro without any issues in a vm:

Let me know if you have any questions. I've been using VMware Fusion, and VMware Workstation before that for several years and I can highly recommend it for running multiple isolated environments.

~jr

John Rofrano
Sundance Media Group / VASST
www.vasst.com
www.fasstapps.com

VidMus wrote on 7/29/2015, 8:56 AM

Considering how much power my NLE system uses AND how I prefer not to have the NLE system on the internet that can unexpectedly mess things up with updates, I use two systems.

System one is for the internet and other basic computer uses while system two is for the NLE and Photoshop, etc.

So when I am not using the NLE system, I saved money and use my very low power notebook for internet and other stuff. I use the NLE system exclusively for video editing and other related work.

I get full use of the resources for the NLE this way.

If the general stuff is being used in the background, then the NLE suffers. How much depends on the system and how much is being done.

Two separate systems are much better than trying to have one system emulate two systems. And the chances of viruses and other bad stuff messing with the system that pays your bills is significantly reduced!

I can download specific files to the internet system and then transfer them to the NLE system with a USB thumb drive. I do that frequently. I use my internet system to upload my videos while my NLE system is doing other things or is shut-down saving money on the light bill.

I use a KVM switch to switch between the two computers.

This is much more reliable and efficient.

Note: When I know I want to update my NLE system, I will make cloned backups of the system drive and THEN I will connect it to the internet and do the updates. I will then run it through its paces and then when I am satisfied that everything works properly, then I will keep it as it now is. Otherwise, it is real easy to remove the system drive and put the cloned to drive in and be back where I was as if nothing ever happened.

So that is my way of doing things with my systems.

One desk, one set of monitors, one keyboard, one mouse, one sound system, one printer and two separate computers.

It REALLY works!

wwaag wrote on 7/29/2015, 10:18 AM

+1 for Vidmus approach

I currently have 3 systems (first 2 are shown in my system specs) connected through a 4 port KVM switch to drive dual monitors. The first, mostly for video/photo editing, the second for internet browsing, financial stuff, and the third, an old XP machine for a few apps that I occasionally use that would not run in Win7. I could not see using a single system again. It's just way too convenient being able to instantly switch between systems. Also, since I use my main system only for editing, there is no need for installing any type of virus protection software.

wwaag

smhontz wrote on 7/29/2015, 6:51 PM

Does using Vegas in a VM support external audio interfaces? I have a Presonus Audiobox USB that I would want any of the VM's to be able to use.

How about multiple monitors? Is that supported?

ushere wrote on 7/29/2015, 7:25 PM

another +1 for vidmus.

however, my nle is both connected to lan and internet (auto update off - only install them when i know they're ok, as certified here ;-))

for most other stuff i use a laptop, including basic ps work. not only is it 'cheaper' to run, but it gets me out of my 'studio', and away from idle moments when i might well be tempted to 'fiddle' with my nle - idle hands make the devils work (or whatever the saying is ;-)