Choice for the novice? V6 vs. VMS8?

Remedy wrote on 8/15/2007, 7:25 PM

I have a nephew who is wanting to learn Vegas. Now, initially they have Vegas 6 for $99 @ B&H photo. But, I also notice that Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 8 is $99. Vegas 6 is more on the professional product and Studio Plat is just a Home consumer product. However, is it worth picking up the professional product 6 for $99 with tutorials for him to learn or is it best to just go with the consumer home product Studio plat for learning?

Comments

MSmart wrote on 8/15/2007, 9:47 PM

Vegas and VMS have the same look and feel so the learning curve will be similar. VMS is pared down so it doesn't have all the features and has a limited number of tracks.

One thing to watch out for is the Vegas 6 disc at B&H doesn't include DVD Architect so you'll need another disc authoring application to burn his edited work to DVD.

I use VMSPE8 and it does everything I need. Only a few times did I wish I had more tracks. I think your nephew would do just fine with it too.

Vegas Family Comparison

craftech wrote on 8/16/2007, 5:23 AM

Despite pundits who claim that the software they cheerlead for is so "intuitive" the fact of the matter is that there is a learning curve for virtually ALL software. That is where a good user group becomes a necessity. The Sony Creative Software user groups are second to none IMO. Either one would suit him just fine in that respect, but Vegas 6 might be overkill for his purposes.

John

Remedy wrote on 8/17/2007, 11:08 AM

MSmart , What kind of system do you have currently with VMSPE8? How stable is VMSPE8? I see there have been 2 updates for it already.

rem715 wrote on 8/17/2007, 12:34 PM

Dear Remedy,

I've been using vms8 plat for a few weeks, prior to that used vms7 plat and vms6. I originally chose this series several years ago because it was supposed to be rock solid. I had tried pinnacle and it began crashing immediately. Well, my experience has been that of other users: vms is rock solid. Considering all the data and information being manipulated with video, stills, music, sound effects, transitions, text overlays, masks, etc., it amazes me that it even works. I highly recommend it and agree with the previous poster, that vms8 plat is plenty to keep most people satisfied for a long time.

I would add that vms8 plat is going to be much more usable to edit hdv than vegas 6 so it is a bit more future proof. I'm using it with hdv with great results, albeit a few minor bugs.

Remedy wrote on 8/17/2007, 9:10 PM

Thanks for the post. What kind of a system are you using with it? Single processor, or Dual Core? How much memory?

MSmart wrote on 8/17/2007, 11:06 PM

I have an HP a450n, click on my ID to see my system specs, I've had it for a little over 2 years.

Basically, P4 HyperThread 3.0GHz, upgraded to 1gig RAM, added a 250G HD and and external (firewire) 300G HD and replaced the CD ROM drive with another DVD combo drive.

PE8 has been rock solid (so far) for me. I have no reason to think that it will be otherwise as VMS6 and PE7 were solid as well.

The updates address HiDef issues and language support. I wouldn't be concerned. Updates because of bugs to VMS have been far fewer then the other editor I've used (Pinnacle Studio).

Download the 30-day trial to check it out.