Enhanced support for Sony HDR-FX1 camcorder in Sony Vegas update

SonyEPM wrote on 1/6/2005, 7:15 AM

This morning we released an updated version of Sony Vegas 5 that contains:

1) HDV project templates
2) HDV source file interpretation
2) HDV render templates for Sony HDV-compliant 1080-60i and 1080-50i HDV MPEG-2

The good news here is you can now get your HDV projects back to Sony HDV cameras and decks.

Download the Vegas 5 update here:

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/download/step2.asp?DID=496

Additionally we are offering, on our website, and updated version of Cineform available to Vegas users at a special price.

Download and some info:

http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/products/showproduct.asp?PID=959

-----------------------

If you already have Vegas 5 and Cineform Connect HD for Vegas, these are free updates.

Comments

p@mast3rs wrote on 1/6/2005, 8:14 AM

much props for a new update. However, I am not trying to complain but more so understand.

I still, for the life of me, do not understand why the ability to capture HDV is not provided for us in Vegas. I mean afterall, if a user purchase Vegas+DVD and then also purchases a FX1/Z1, you would think that they would have ability to capture and output back to HDV instead of having to use a third party codec that isn't exactly cheap. Granted, its much cheaper than purchasing from Cineform, but a $150 is just a little too much to throw around.

Personally, I would like to see the HDV codec included free of charge and instead, I would be interested in purchasing third party codecs/plugins that allow me more functionality with the media I do capture.

Dont get me wrong, I understand everyone has to make a buck in the software business and if you own Vegas+DVD and a HDV camera, you could probably afford the extra $150, but what about the guys who spend every dime they have on jut the camera alone?

There are a slew of plugins that are available to other NLE's that if made available for use within Vegas, would set Vegas that much further ahead than the competition. I just find it hard to believe that a third party developer can offer a better solution for capture and output than the camera's manufacturer.

<rant off>

Spot|DSE wrote on 1/6/2005, 8:30 AM

Patrick,
You might as well ask this of any other software other than Pinnacle. NO software captures the HDV natively and correctly. Ulead's solution doesn't work, and Pinnacle's has problems too.
The development cost, time, cycle, etc for converting the HDV to avi is extremely prohibitive, which is why companies like Sony, Adobe, and Apple have turned to third party vendors. As it is, Sony negotiated a substantially lower price for the plugin/converter.
There isn't an "HDV codec" to be installed in Vegas. Vegas already reads m2t transport streams, which is what MPEG puts out. If you want to edit with that at 2-3 fps, go for it. It's extremely hard on the processor, but at least Vegas can deal with the stream, while most NLE's can't. For the rest of us that want a better editing experience, an intermediary transcode is necessary, and due to the extreme change in color space and file formatting, Cineform offers a working solution now. Just as Lumiere does for Final Cut.
You don't NEED to buy Cineform. It's just a much better workflow. Just be glad you don't need Cineform's professional version like you do for Premiere. It cost $999.00 until recently, now it's been lowered to $499.00

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 1/6/2005, 8:42 AM

I've got a question (suprise suprise), Is there any quality loss in the transcode?

also, just how involved is an EDL. Does it record all the things I do, filters etc... or just where the clips are cut and placed. I only ask, because if there is some qual. loss in the transcode, I am wondering if I can make my video with the cineform codec and then import an EDL for use with the m2t files. (maybe I don't entirely understand how the EDL works and I'm way off here, or maybe there's a better way to substitute one file / set of files for another/others.)

That's why I'm asking you guys :-)

Dave

p@mast3rs wrote on 1/6/2005, 8:43 AM

Ok, I understand now. I had the impression that this is what is needed in order to use HDV. But a couple more questions. Vegas cannot capture from the HDV cameras correct nor can it output to HDV cameras? I understand Vegas can work with the streams as you said 2-3fps, but how is one supposed to get the footage out of the camera and in to Vegas without using Cineform?

Thats what I am griping about. is getting the footage into Vegas without the need to spend more money. If someone wants to drop $150 for a spped increase, thn great. I just think Sony should provide some sort of capture utility to get the footage out and back to the camera. If I am wrong and this is possible, please show me where vegas can do this with HDV footage.

SonyEPM wrote on 1/6/2005, 1:15 PM

We just discovered, and fixed, a problem with Vegas 5.0d, build 193, and have replaced it on our site with a new version Vegas 5.0d, build 194.

Issue was: Field order in MPEG-2 render templates for HDV 1080 (60i or 50i) were listed as lower, should have been upper. This has been fixed in build 194, and is the only change between 193 and 194.

TorS wrote on 1/6/2005, 1:33 PM

Are there any reason for people who does not consider using HDV to get this upgrade?
Tor

farss wrote on 1/6/2005, 1:43 PM

Patrick,
I believe there's quite a few ways to capture the footage without using the Cineform package, SPOT does cover this in his book.
That said I don't think Sony should include the Cineform stuff with Vegas. There's no such thing as 'free', so one way or another it gets paid for, the question is should everyone get it when they buy Vegas for $x + $y or should Vegas cost $x and then those who do need it pay the $y to Cineform?
Now if HDV becomes as pervasive as DV, in other words it's unlikely you wouldn't be using anything other than HDV then that should and most likely will change.
I'd top that off with the support issue, this is pretty new technology, at the moment I'd suggest the best people to support the Cineform stuff are Cineform. Dolby ac3 has been around for a fair while now and still it creates a lot of support questions on this and the other Sony forums. And still the best answers to the questions are to be found on the Dolby site.
Bob.

Wolfgang S. wrote on 1/6/2005, 2:05 PM

It is simple to change the two templates 1080 50i and 60i to upper field first.

However, you have to store it unter another template name. Is there a way how to delete the wrong templates (since that is rejected by the sofware).

rextilleon wrote on 1/6/2005, 2:19 PM

Question that Tor asked hasn't been answered--If you dont intend to shoot HDV, is there any reason to upgrade to this version???????

Hunter wrote on 1/6/2005, 2:52 PM

Ok I just purchased cineform and I get no links on my download page. Checked cineform's web site "Connect HD for Sony Vegas 5: will be available soon"

Ok so how soon, that was 150 bucks for nothing.

Hunter

winrockpost wrote on 1/6/2005, 3:03 PM

Hmmm, thought there were a few bugs in 5 to be fixed, would have been nice to have an update for those.
Or did i just imagine that.

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 1/6/2005, 3:08 PM

Nope, You weren't imagining that Winrock, and the question Tor asked still goes unanswered.

(I'm not dissing Sony here, so I don't need to hear about how great a product it is, I already know, and tell people that enough)

Dave.

planders wrote on 1/6/2005, 3:51 PM

I think you just have to download the trial here:

https://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/download/step2.asp?DID=549

Then activate it with your serial number.

rextilleon wrote on 1/6/2005, 4:36 PM

Spot, Sony EPM or anyone---is there something besides HDV support in this new version that would warrant a download?

rique wrote on 1/6/2005, 4:43 PM

is there something besides HDV support in this new version that would warrant a download?

There doesn't appear to be.

Notable Changes/Fixes in Version 5.0d

HDV™ project and rendering templates (AVI and MPEG-2) have been added.

To capture and print HDV video, use the CineForm ConnectHD tool, which you can download from our Web site. For CineForm support, click here.

*HDV and HDV logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC).

Notable Changes/Fixes in Version 5.0c

A bug has been fixed in the MPEG plug-in that would prevent saving markers to MPEG files.

Hunter wrote on 1/6/2005, 4:50 PM

Planders wrote
"I think you just have to download the trial here:
https://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/download/step2.asp?DID=549
Then activate it with your serial number. "

Nope, that is cineform trial. When you purchase from Sony, you get an e-mail with a download link. I get the page but NO cineform download. Vegas version not ready it looks like.

All I want to do is pull my hair out now, they got my hopes up for a cheap(er) way to send HD to my JVC D-VHS and now I still wait and wait. ARRRRGGGG-Ga

Calling CS at 9pm est (nextel free nights)

vectorskink wrote on 1/6/2005, 7:12 PM

I have just purchased Connect HD via this website. It has sent me the license number, but the page i've been sent to doesn't let me download the program! It tells me I can download Connect HD but there's no link to it!!
HELP!
Cheers
Tim

Hunter wrote on 1/7/2005, 3:13 PM

Vector wrote
"I have just purchased Connect HD via this website. It has sent me the license number, but the page i've been sent to doesn't let me download the program! It tells me I can download Connect HD but there's no link to it!!
HELP!
Cheers
Tim"

We got suckered <said with twang>
I checked my CC - already billed. BBB might have something to say about that!

ShannonRawls wrote on 1/7/2005, 3:51 PM

Download the trial version,then unlock it with your purchased code.

JJKizak wrote on 1/7/2005, 4:37 PM

If you had read my previous thread you all would have known to download the trial version and then use the serial number, but the point is is it the right version?

JJK

Winston wrote on 1/8/2005, 7:09 AM

Same as VECTORSKINK!
Got a serialnumber from Sony but the download adress is empty.
Activation of the demo does not work, they are asking for a name and a serialnumber. Serialnumber ok, but what name (my name isnogood, what name else?)
So, 150 bucks for Sony, nothing for me.
Hope I get any kind of information to change this!

Winston

Hunter wrote on 1/8/2005, 11:46 PM

Ah ha ... figured it out, no thanks to Sony's CS.
You open ConnectHD click vist web site. enter your name and SN you got from Sony. But you still have to wait 72 hours for your activation code.

This whole thing was very unclear, when you get a link from Sony to download software and there is no download - well why do you think people got mad. INSTRUCTIONS would have been nice.

Hunter

vectorskink wrote on 1/9/2005, 3:54 AM

I second that. Instructions needed Sony!!!!!

ericd2003 wrote on 1/9/2005, 9:42 AM

Still not enough!... Okay, I have the Sony HDR-FX1 and I will get the Cineform package. But now what? What can I transfer it on to? I called and spoke with Sony's tech support and they agree that putting the HD video on to a DVD will automatically lose all it's HD quality. So what's the point? I need to record weddings and the only way to show my customers the awesome HD qaulity is to attach my FX1 to their HDTV.
Now I will have to wait until they come up with HD-DVDs and players.
PLease correct me if I'm wrong, becuase I would love to be.
Thx, Eric