Vegas 4 versus Final Cut Pro 4

Videojohn wrote on 1/19/2004, 12:43 AM

I have been working with Vegas for a few time and really I like it, apart from some weaknesses for exemple in recapture (if you want to recap only the footage that it is edited in the timeline) and others.
And I want to use Vegas for a professional use in association with other associates. But I could noticed that many people does not know Vegas and only trust in the more famous software FINAL CUT PRO 4
But I never worked myself with Final cut Pro 4. So I would like to have some advices about that. What is the best software for a PROFESSIONAL USE.

Thank you in advance.

PS: A question about Vegas: How to put shadow on a scroll text?

Comments

farss wrote on 1/19/2004, 3:41 AM

I don't see how the question of 'trust' comes into it!
If you use either system to achieve the same product starting with the same source material I defy anyone to pick which system did which. Possibly if there was lots of rerendering involved the Vages product would look a little better.
There was 'shoot out' done somewhere comparing the results of 4 key tasks for a NLE. Vegas beat FCP on chroma keying, came in equal on colour grading (both were beaten by one of the Pinnacle Liquid series NLEs), didn't rate in one test as it didn't do the function and I don't remember the other one at all.

When you factor in the cost of the product and the cost of the hardware to run it, Vegas wins hands down. Add in Vegas's power in the audio side and you're onto a winner. Also in my opinion FCP makes the mistake of firstly holding you in a straightjacket and secondly trying to do everything in the one package, a bit like the problems with MS Word.

GaryKleiner wrote on 1/19/2004, 6:16 AM

I beleive you are having the same anxiety that I had when I first started using Vegas.

I needed to update my NLE and I started testing Vegas out and really liked it. I also had some collegues that were Final Cut users and they raved about it.

Keep in mind that I have a studio with 3 workstations and that whatever I decided to switch to I was going to have to learn and also train my employees on, so this decision was not one I could make lightly.

Anyway, I decided to go with Final Cut Pro (version 3.0 at the time). It seemed to have a much bigger user base, and I though that since the same company was making the software and hardware, there would be no compatability issues (man, was I wrong about that). So I bought a brand new high-end Mac, FCP, books, tutorials etc,

Long story short: After two weeks of "Gee, this is MUCH easier and quicker in Vegas" and tons of fustration with the system itself, I sold the MAC and FCP and my studio was converted entirely to Vegas and I have never regretted the decision.

Gary

FuTz wrote on 1/19/2004, 6:24 AM

PS: A question about Vegas: How to put shadow on a scroll text?

From the start, this is considering you're using the Text generated in Vegas itself (not a text done in Photoshop or 3rd app then brought back in Vegas)...

So you got the text from Vegas Media Generators/Text. A window pops in just when you drag it to the timeline. You then go to the Effects thumbnail then you will see what you're looking for with all the adjustments you probably need.

GaryKleiner wrote on 1/19/2004, 11:33 AM

It's best to start a separate thread for different subjects.

Anyway... to puit a shadow on scrolling text, you need to use the shadow control for TRACK motion. Strange, but true.

Gary

Chanimal wrote on 1/19/2004, 11:57 AM

Regarding credibility, Vegas was the underdog, but it is coming to light much more with the acquisition from Sony. In addition, it just won Videomakers Editor's Choice for high-end editing software (over Premier Pro and Final Cut).

busterkeaton wrote on 1/19/2004, 1:24 PM

If you work in DV only, over firewire, there's really no choice, Vegas is better.

ArmyVideo wrote on 1/19/2004, 2:10 PM

Busterkeaton is on it. For DV footage, you just can't beat V4.

I understand what you mean about everyone being used to hearing about FCP. However, when FCP first hit the scene, the way of thinking was "If it ain't Avid, it's not professional". Now we see major motion pictures being edited on Final Cut, and Avid is now scrambling (poorly) for a piece of the pie. V4 is most defninitly the underdog, and has had little exposure compared to Apple and Adobe products. Once Sony tweaks a few things and especially if they add hardware support, Vegas will finally get the attention and respect it deserves.
The nice thing about V4 being so "unknown" though is that you almost feel like you have an unfair advantage over those using other software, as you spent less on it and for the most part have a much richer feature set than those using other systems.

Regards,
Brian

Solocinema wrote on 1/19/2004, 3:15 PM

Yeah, I first learned video editing on FCP, started shopping for a Mac. Then I tried VV and thought I was missing something -- after hearing all the hype about FCP and nothing about VV, how could VV seem so much better? Easier, faster, you name it.

Now I'm glad I didn't buy that Mac.

bd

farss wrote on 1/19/2004, 3:54 PM

I'm told the reason Macs have only one slot loading drive is so the user doesn't get confused which one the $100 note goes in to enable bootup.

kevgl wrote on 1/19/2004, 5:55 PM

Posted by: Chanimal

Regarding credibility, Vegas was the underdog, but it is coming to light much more with the acquisition from Sony. In addition, it just won Videomakers Editor's Choice for high-end editing software (over Premier Pro and Final Cut).

-----------

Any online links to that award? I couldn't find anything on Google.

Cheers

Erni wrote on 1/22/2004, 7:51 PM

The link of Videomaker mag:

http://www.videomaker.com/scripts/article.cfm?id=9830