Vegas or Screenblast?

uptownvideo wrote on 5/11/2004, 8:24 AM

I am not sure if I should buy Screenblast of Vegas. What are the advantages to Vegas? Do both programs easily create DVD application? Does Screenblast let you monitor the realtime video through the computer's firewire output the same way that Vegas does?

Comments

jetdv wrote on 5/11/2004, 8:54 AM

Screenblast is like a little brother to Vegas. Same interface but much more limited in capabilities as compared to Vegas. Both require a separate DVD Authoring program to create DVDs. If you want the full capabilities of the program, go with Vegas + DVD.

uptownvideo wrote on 5/11/2004, 9:06 AM

I was reading the description of Screenblast and it says it has an integrated DVD authoring software. Is this not true? What are some of the capabilities that Vegas has?

johnmeyer wrote on 5/11/2004, 9:10 AM

Screenblast comes with integrated DVD authoring, although it is a completely different product from DVD Architect. Screenblast does not let you view video from the timeline on an external monitor. Also it does not let you print to tape directly from the timeline (even though its main competitor, Pinnacle Studio, has this feature).

Screenblast lacks scripting, most compositing features, keyboard scrubbing, and many more.

I assume you have looked at the competitive comparison chart:

Competitive Chart

and the comparison chart that shows the differences between Vegas and Screenblast:

Vegas vs. Screenblast

The Vegas vs. Screenblast chart has not been updated for Vegas 5.0, so the gap will be wider (since Screenblast hasn't been updated since August).

ronaldf wrote on 5/11/2004, 10:24 AM

What are your needs? If you are just editing home video and making DVDs and tapes for the family and are sure that is all that you will ever do, then SBMS should be fine. If you are doing professional work or think that you may in the future, then Vegas 5 +DVDA2 should seriously considered. It may save you money in the long run.

uptownvideo wrote on 5/11/2004, 10:36 AM

I videotape weddings and events. I will probably go with vegas.

tserface wrote on 5/11/2004, 10:42 AM

You won't be sorry. :)

mbryant wrote on 5/14/2004, 5:36 AM

I'm a Screenblast user, just about to take the jump to Vegas.

As a hobbiest, Screenblast has been great. But the "integrated DVD" is rubbish - it is a separate, poor 3rd party DVD program, which in my opinion is unusable (can't even set a chapter point).

Mark

NaperRick wrote on 5/14/2004, 7:56 AM

I just made the switch from SB to V5+DVD (at the $499 upgrade price) and as long as you can afford the cost you won't regret the switch (or the original purchase if you don't already have SB).
DVD Arch 2 is a VAST improvement over MYDVD included with SB MS3.
Even people who won't use the software professionally (like me) will appreciate the choice of V5+DVD over SB. I was able to work a deal with my wife for my birthday ("Honey, how would you like it if I saved you the hassle of buying my present...)

Rick