Should I hold off on V8? Questions about V8...

Distorshun wrote on 9/11/2007, 2:02 PM

I'm not a technical expert, but I'm pretty comfortable using V6 to get it to do what I need it to do. I got the e-mail from Sony yesterday, and I was about to upgrade, but then I decided to check out the forums first...and I'm glad I did. I see that there are some problems that many people are dealing with, and I guess I wanted to see if I could understand them better, or at least identify what the problems/changes are so that I know if its a good idea for me to upgrade now or wait until some of these issues are worked out. I am going to try to phrase my questions in layman's terms...because...well I'm a layman. In skimming over some of the threads here are some of the questions/concerns I have:

1) Preview/Playback speed (FPS) - From what I have read, V8 does not preview the video as smoothly as V7 or V6. Is there a fix to this, or is this a problem with V8?

2) Render Speed - I'm also reading that rendering time has not improved, and in some cases is slower. People are still conducting render tests, but as of this point does anyone know why? I thought render time was going to be improved?

3) The 8-bit vs. 32-bit color issue - Apparently switching between 8-bit and 32-bit color changes the color and gamma of the video during preview and render? Forgive my ignorance on this, but what is the advantage to using 32-bit instead of 8-bit...color depth and accuracy? If so, wouldn't the solution be shooting your video with different color balance and exposure so that your final product is more accurate?

4) The New Titler - I don't know what the functionality of the new titler is, but obviously it has to be an improvement over what we currently have. I see complaining about it, but not alot of details about what it can and can't do. Would someone explain what about it was short of their expectations?

I think these are the major concerns that I have. I'm right in the middle of editing multiple weddings each having deadlines, so I'm a little weary of upgrading now unless I know what I'll have to deal wtih. I look forward to getting some feedback from you other Vegas users so I'll know if I should upgrade now or wait a little while...Thanks!

Comments

Harold Brown wrote on 9/11/2007, 2:53 PM

An upgrade will not prevent you from using Vegas 6. At the special price I would upgrade before Oct 31 if I were you. You get the work flow improvements of Vegas 7 that you didn't purchase which I think are good. They sure helped me.

Dan Sherman wrote on 9/11/2007, 3:02 PM

Go for it Disto!
Titling software alone is worth it IMHO.
I paid that much for Cayman Graphics, no longer supporting Vegas.
And I think ProType is better, more powerful and easier to use.
And there are all the other features too.
Think it's a no brainer if you do any editing at all.

DavidPJ wrote on 9/11/2007, 3:06 PM

Distorshun,

I've upgraded to each new release since V4, and I'm always happy with each subsequent release. There's always minor issues with the first version of every new Vegas release. I've always waited to at least 1 update before I install the new release. I intend to purchase the V8 upgrade before the promotion deadline.

Dave

Randy Brown wrote on 9/11/2007, 3:13 PM

You get the work flow improvements of Vegas 7 that you didn't purchase which I think are good. They sure helped me.

Harold, will you elaborate on this please?
Thanks,
Randy

Distorshun wrote on 9/11/2007, 4:18 PM

Yes, I was kinda hoping for an explanation that answered the 4 concerns I had...not just yeah upgrade now because V8 is better than V6.

Thanks!

Kennymusicman wrote on 9/11/2007, 4:23 PM

I think a lot of the performance hits seem to be related to the 32bit part. But you don't have to use it. I'm not seeing any rendering slowness relative to previous versions.

Especially with the offer - I would certainly go for it within the deadline.

Also, when you go Vista route (you'll have to some time....) then at least you'll be armed and ready, as well as the other elements.

Jay Z wrote on 9/11/2007, 4:26 PM

Got my e-mail yesterday afternoon...Ordered this morning...

MPM wrote on 9/11/2007, 5:30 PM

If in doubt, DL & install the trial and see how it works for ya.

PixelStuff wrote on 9/11/2007, 6:28 PM

I'm still playing with V8 to figure out it's intricacies. But I'll second (or third) the idea of getting the upgrade now while it's $100 cheaper, before the October early-bird deadline.

The Vegas track record always has the main problems fixed in the "a" or "b" updates. Even if you don't install it, or just don't use it for anything important during the first three months, I think buying now and sitting on it is better than paying the extra $100. Of course if you don't need the new features and plan to wait for V9 then that's a whole different issue.

DGrob wrote on 9/11/2007, 6:57 PM

Buy it, install it. I have V7 and V8 (and DVDA4 and 4.5) installed. I keep my active projects in V7 while I've started a toy project in V8 to begin feeling my way around. Some really interesting stuff should be happening with plugins et al adapting to V8. This way I still have all my quirks in V7 while I bring V8 up on my own learning curve.

Darryl

Randy Brown wrote on 9/11/2007, 8:19 PM

Harold said You get the work flow improvements of Vegas 7 that you didn't purchase which I think are good. They sure helped me.

I am still using V5 for TV and Corporate stuff (mostly basic editing without a lot of effects). I have tried the trials (including messing with V8 today) ever since V5 but I haven't felt a need for any of the updates thus far; however (I'm hoping) maybe I missed something.
Does anyone else agree with Harold in that the work flow has improved since V5 for basic editing?

Thanks again,
Randy

dcrandall wrote on 9/11/2007, 9:54 PM

Randy,

Yes, sometimes it's the little workflow things that can make a task enjoyable or a PITA. I've listed some of the things that were added in Versions 6 and 7 that make life easier for me:

* A/V synchronization detection and repair (It's nice to see a visual indication that Audio & Video are not in sync)
* Full-screen preview to a secondary Windows display (including DVI monitors)
* Support for nested Vegas projects
* Ability to display fade lengths between selected and nonselected events
* Improved video preview — now includes auto-fit to preview window, simultaneous internal /external preview, additional resolution modes and optimized scaling for previews.
* Enhanced window layout management — save, recall, and share custom window layouts.
* Improved snapping — color-coded visual snap indicator and the ability to snap to event edges on other tracks. (I don't know how I lived without this!)
* User-definable default smoothness values for Pan/Crop and Track Motion keyframes.

-Dan

Randy Brown wrote on 9/12/2007, 7:20 AM

Thank you DC!
Okay I can see a couple of things there that would be worth it to help my relatively simple editing workflow (especially for only $150).
My next question would be this: My editing PC is an XP Pro 3.2 ghz P4 w- HT and only 1 gig ram. It hasn't been connected to the internet in years (except to get the MS 1.0 network thingy to run V5) and I'm not even running SP2.
I know for V8 I need the MS 3.0 network deal to run V8 but what else would I need to update (I'm not doing HD yet).
I'm pretty much a PC tech moron (I know just enough to be dangerous) so please explain it like you would to a six year old.
Thanks again DC,
Randy

dcrandall wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:24 AM

I believe you at least need to update your Windows XP Pro installation to include SP2. It's a major change but I, (and most people), updated long ago without encountering problems. (Make sure you back-up)

-Dan

Grazie wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:49 AM

I needed to go MS SP2 for XP Pro. The machine is quicker now.

Grazie

Randy Brown wrote on 9/12/2007, 10:25 AM

Thanks guys,
I was about to update my edit machine to install the trial and now I have a new issue that maybe you can help with (which is way OT...sorry):
As I mentioned my edit machine hasn't been hooked up to the internet in years. I unplugged the cable from my internet PC, plugged it in and reset to obtain IP address automatically. The icon popped up showing the physical connection but doesn't work. I right click the connection in control panel, select repair (after making sure "obtain IP address automatically" is checked as the cable company suggested) and get...
The following steps of the repair operation failed:
Renewing the IP address,
Purging the DNS Resolver cache,
Refreshing all DHCP leases and re-registering DNS names,
Please contact your network administrator or ISP.
Cable company says it's not their problem so I thought before I take it in to a shop I'd check with you guys to see if you have any free advice.
Thanks again very much,
Randy

Soniclight wrote on 9/12/2007, 11:08 AM

Distorshun,
The simplest way to decide is to just download the trial and try it out. However, I would suggest a full system backup (not just Sys Restore) for V-8 may cause older version to have problems. It did for me, BUT I seem to be the exception.

What happened? Not major, but for some reason V-6 now tells me that some of my projects don't have the right audio plugin when I open certain projects. I click OK, and everything works fine..

Hence why I suggest a drive backup before you try 8, however unlikely it may be that you would or would not get the same problem as I did.

All that said...

I've un-installed the trial for now, but when I'm ready to do so, I'm going to get V-8 before the end of the deal, too (Oct. 31/07).

jdinkins wrote on 9/12/2007, 2:43 PM

Make sure you are acquiring your DNS entries automatically too.

From your email it looks like you switched from having a static IP, so you had to have static DNS entries as well. Acquire the DNS entries automatically from the DHCP server that hands you your IP.

At least it's something to check.

See ya

Randy Brown wrote on 9/12/2007, 3:16 PM

Make sure you are acquiring your DNS entries automatically too.
Yes it is checked

From your email it looks like you switched from having a static IP, so you had to have static DNS entries as well.
Keep in mind that my email and internet in general is from another (this) PC.

Acquire the DNS entries automatically from the DHCP server that hands you your IP.
uhhhh....huh? Sorry I don't understand (I guess you missed me pointing out earlier that I'm a moron when it comes to tech stuff)

Thanks for your time,
Randy

jdinkins wrote on 9/12/2007, 3:29 PM

Open up properties for your network connection and go in to TCPIP properties. Even though you have acquire IP address automatically, make sure toward the bottom that you are acquiring the DNS ip addesses automatically as well.

Take care.

jdinkins wrote on 9/12/2007, 3:30 PM

Sorry I didn't read closely enough that you were getting the DNS addresses automatically in your last response.

I'm not sure what the problem is....

xberk wrote on 9/12/2007, 6:07 PM

You sound like someone who does not take upgrading lightly.
Here's my take:
1. I have no issue with video preview in VP8. Just as smooth as V7.
2. I render slightly faster in VP8 over V7 on the same hardware setup.
Speed seems improved by about 10%. But I have not tested this extensively,
nor do I plan to -- no one is saying render times have improved vastly.
3. I have not used the 32 bit option yet, but it seems a good thing if it can
help improve poor color shot under "verite" conditions or just poorly shot.
Certainly not a reason to upgrade by itself for me.
4. The new Titler seems very flexible. A huge improvement over the limited titler in V6 and V7. But if you are happy with the old titler, not a reason by itself to upgrade.

I like VP8 so far -- but the things I liked best were from V6 to V7:
Improved snapping — color-coded visual snap indicator and the ability to snap to event edges on other tracks. (this alone was worth going to V7)...
Cut/copy/delete applies to grouped events.(this is nifty and useful)
Red-eye reduction for still images.(small point but works great).
Improved video preview — now includes auto-fit to preview window, (Excellent)
Obviously VP8 is also better suited to run under Vista ( if this is any kind of consideration) ..
But truely --- and I'm dead on serious -- the #1 REASON TO UPGRADE IS TO KEEP UP WITH THIS INVALUABLE FORUM. In a few months, most here will move on to VP8. Why not stay on the same page to take full advantage of this extraordinary group?

Randy Brown wrote on 9/12/2007, 7:41 PM

like VP8 so far -- but the things I liked best were from V6 to V7:

Since you are the second person that has stated this was a decisive factor in upgrading I have to ask this to see if I'm just not understanding what you're talking about; in V5 if I click the edge of a clip I want to snap to and then drag another clip to that edge, it snaps to that edge perfectly regardless of what track it's on.

But truely --- and I'm dead on serious -- the #1 REASON TO UPGRADE IS TO KEEP UP WITH THIS INVALUABLE FORUM. In a few months, most here will move on to VP8. Why not stay on the same page to take full advantage of this extraordinary group?

You're right, I used to be much more active with this forum ( I spent on average an hour a day here) and stayed on top of everything but for the last several years I've just been content with V5 (as have been my clients).
However lately I've noticed when watching TV I'm getting behind in the game.
I come here and find myself asking "what the hell are they talking about?!" and generally shocked as to how far I've fallen behind.
That said I am trying to install at least the trial version right away but I'm having the above mentioned issues (not being able to update XP Pro via the internet).
Any suggestions?

Thanks very much in advance,
Randy

xberk wrote on 9/12/2007, 8:20 PM

Ask anyone using V7 or above -- the snapping is smoother - better than older versions and it's nicely color-coded for a visual reference that makes lining up transitions, inserts, edit points etc across multiple tracks so easy. What's really nice is how even the audio volume points "light up" across multiple tracks for better control of audio levels. The whole thing is more precise and easier. You have to try it to see for yourself.

Regards XP Pro and loading the Trial version? .. Don't understand what problem you are having...