Agreed, seems to be up now.

Hi - My video preview will not function, it's gone? Vegas 5 Thanks

Try hitting Alt+4, see if that brings it back. you may have hidden it beneath a docking window, look for a tab that says "Video Preview"

I tried all that, it vaporized, I wonder if I reload this version of Vegas?

Hold CTRL+SHIFT when you start Vegas. It will reset EVERYTHING to default, so be ready to reset your prefs and so on.

That did it, thanks for saving what would have been a rough night.

I've read the thread on compression started by Phillipe and that seems to contain a wealth of useful information.

My problem is related to that but different enough, I hope, to start a new thread.

My client wanted a ten minute production for distribution to their customers on DVD. All fine. Job done. Footage (PAL) was shot 16:9 and the finished product looks great on a widescreen TV.

Now they are asking for a version to be downloadable from their website. They haven't specified what format they want (and because it's the weekend I can't ask them!) but a quick scan of their website shows that they favour wmv.

I just made a test render using the default 512kb settings and the quality is OK (ish) but all my PinP's have gone weird and kinda repositioned/resized themselves. I guess this sort of makes sense to me, bearing in mind that the window size has changed.

Could some kind and knowledgeable person give me a clue as to what wmv settings I should use to retain the original proportions of the footage please, as well as to produce a sensible download size?

I'm sure there are other details I should be providing so please let me know and I'll do my best to fill in the gaps.

Many thanks.

Ian . . .

I am using boris fx 8 with vegas 6 c. When I apply a boris transition a still frame from both videos becomes the transition. Then when the transition is done there is a jump where the video continues.

I have a 2 second transition so why does Boris make them still frames when I apply their transition?

Is is something I am doing because I didn't have this problem yesterday.

Please help.

When I applied the transition it brought in a backround track that covered the video track. Once deleted my problem was solved.

My DVD drive has a 2MB buffer and it's not a ROM drive, it's a RAM drive, it should print fine, but I'll try without the cam to see if the data rate is constant.

Thanks for posting the solution - could come in handy one day :)

actually what u want is the 3d plugin pack...

it literally behaves as a keystoner with degreee markings and scaling options

it sounds like there is a frame size issue with the 512k default settings... try doing the encoding with a wmv encoding application that allows you to match the frame size and frame rate that you shot the footage at... be sure and use square pixels, aka, 720x480 = 640 x 480 for wmv encoding.

512k should be enuf bandwidth, if you use two-pass vbr encoding, and don't give the audio too much bandwidth.

go grab blufftitler.. cheap and very ppowerful,
create an uncompressed avi in bluff with your titles, and import it to vegas, creat a composite and play with the composition settings with your original video underneath.

there are many ways this can be donemaybe not to your liking though... but the fac that from memeory theres be like 16 different methods, maybe one of those will help

I'll give her a looksee

I use 436x280 (1/2 NTSC Widescreen) @ 500 Kbps a lot. For you, it might be more like 524x288 (1/2 PAL Widescreen). I also find CBR, single pass and 64 Kbps audio gives acceptable results. If you have no problem with file size, you might try 1 Mbps or even 3 Mbps but the file sizes get to be pretty large for download.

Does anyone know the right height (number) to set the Video Event Pan/Crop so as to crop HDV 16x9 footage to a 2.35:1 aspect ratio?

I tried doing the math but it didnt look right.

Thanks

Please explain Project Preferences > Video>Template

Option "A": "PAL Standard (720x567, 25 fps)" > Field Order "Upper Field First"

Option "B": "PAL DV (720x567, 25 fps)" > Field Order "Lower Field First"

Why? Why the change in the field order? This is in Vegas 6 AND Vegas 5.

More to the point! Check out the same comparison for NTSC? Both options for NTSC choose LOWER field first.

Is this not odd?

Grazie

Why is this "odd??" NTSC DV is always lower field first, always has been...except in very rare instances that certain NLE's have wanted/demanded upper field first.

Hi guys.I have some clips which were taken in PAL 720x576, 25fps. I need them converted to NTSC 720x480, 29.97fps. I made a working PAL DVD already. I have 2 choice:
1. Recompress each clip from Vegas
Render As>>NTSC DVDA
2. Recompress project from DVD A3
Properties>>NTSC

I attempted the 2nd method but the estimated size was 5.4Gb from 4.4Gb!! (Cant fit my 4.7Gb DVD)
Attempted 1st method on one clip n the mpg2 turned out smaller than the PAL version! 575MB NTSC Vs 595Mb PAL.

Seems obvious 2nd choice is the way to go. Can someone explain the benefits n why DVDA3 conversion seems like a worst choice? Pls correct me if I'm not making the right choice. Thanks!

Douglas, for me it is "odd" that PAL is being determined as LOWER in PAL DV and UPPER in PAL Standard whereas for NTSC it is being determined as LOWER for both instances. I find this odd. Putting this another way, why aren't both flavours of PAL the same as NTSC - both lower field first?

Would somebdy who understands what I am explaining please shed some light on this?

Thank you,

Grazie

I think you'd be better off doing the conversion from the original video file(s).
Start a new project and set the properties to NTSC. Load your PAL video clip(s) in and render it out that way.
Someone please correct me if I'm way off base here.

I am starting a 3-5 day edit project. All footage shot in 4.3, but I want end result to be 16.9. I know I can use pan/crop, but is there any way to apply the 16.9 preset to all the clips at once? I fooled with it, and I tried a search here, but neither effort helped. I have about 300 clips, so would sure like to start with them all in 16.9.

All pointers appreciated.

Here's something I just tried that works pretty slick. Mind you this only works in Vegas 6.0. Finish out your timeline in 4:3. Start a new project with your needed settings and drag your 4:3 veg to the timeline. When it's done rendering the proxy, you'll notice that you've got a pan-crop icon on the nested veg event. Just do a 16:9 pan-crop on the nested veg and you're good to go. I really like nested veg files and I find new uses for them all the time :)

John

This happens to me all of the time, and honestly, it frustrates me a little. People ask me what NLE I use, and when I say "Vegas," they look dumbfounded and have no clue what I'm referring to at all. Sometimes, I just say "Premiere" instead to avoid the whole conversation. Many of these folks think Premiere or FCP or Avid, and if you're not using one of those, you must be using something inferrior, some no-name NLE that no one cares about. Now, that said, I love Vegas. I've spent a good deal of energy how to tap it's strengths and work around its weaknesses -- and I couldn't be happier with my choice.

So, this brings me to my question for the power Vegas forum members here. What are the "features" (the "pro's" if you will) that could grab FCP- or Premiere-user's attention from a power features perspective. So when they are skeptical about "whatever Vegas is", what features of Vegas might grab their attention? Now, I know that Vegas may not be able to compete with AP or FCP on all levels, but aren't there at least SOME features that stand out from those products?

Not knowing much about those NLEs (I've never used them much), I'm not sure about the answer to this? But for example, I can edit and work in the Vegas timeline WITH THE TIMELINE RUNNING/LOOPING! Is that something FCP can do? What are some other examples?

Bill.

Let it go. It's not worth arguing about. Just try this. "It's not the tools its the mechanic" as an answer. Let your work speak for itself, and don't get in a pi$$ing match.

And yeah, I cut with AVID.

For 1920x1080 you should crop to 1920x817 and for 1280x720 you crop to 1280x545.

Hello all,

I am currently using Vegas 5 and I'm going to be upgrading in the spring.

With the arrival of the HVX200 from Panasonic I realize that while people aren't asking for HD yet... they will soon and, frankly, I'm not interested in HDV, no offence to anyone who likes that particular flavour. I figure I'll have about 2 years before I'll have to make the dive into the HD world.

My questions revolve around Vegas' ability to handle the Panasonic HD codec, DVCPro25, DVCPro50 & DVCProHD. Are there plans for Vegas to support the Panny codec or good-quality work arounds or third party apps that will produce usable files in Vegas?

Additionally, are there plans for Vegas to be able to use hardware cards for real-time rendering like the RXT100 for Premiere Pro?

The inclusion of this option and Panny HD codec editing would certainly make me reconsider switching from Vegas, which is something I do NOT want to do

I really like Vegas and will hang on as long as I can but if I'm going to be switching to HD in the next couple of years I'd like that switch to be after having used a suitable NLE for some time and NOT some last minute switch because I have no choice.

Any thoughts?

sincerely,

ian

Lots of thoughts...and all of them related to future Vegas plans.
Until Sony announces anything, no one in the know can comment.
One thing I will say...hell will likely freeze over before you see Vegas ever be hardware dependent. Vegas has always been hardware independent, and it hasn't been a problem for most users at all levels.
Worrying today about what might be extant in the HD world in 2 years is sorta like being a horse driver worrying about jet aircraft. In 2 years, we've seen the industry go from $75,000.00 being the low end to $2000.00 being the low end, with the two extremes being mixed with great success....So, I wouldn't be worrying about much right now. Vegas has always been a leader and frontrunner, and so far, Sony hasn't done anything to suggest it will ever be otherwise.

Thanks for the input, DSE.

You make valid points about the passage of time in our technology-heavy field.

I have until the spring to work this out and I know that I will be hanging onto Vegas for as long as I can. Hopefully until I retire. ;-)

BTW. Will we see Vegas 7 in the spring? That would be consistent with Sony's product cycle, wouldn't it?

sincerely,


ian

As I mentioned earlier, no one in the know can comment one way or another on anything Sony has planned, release cycles or otherwise. :-) Once Sony announces it, the floodgates of information may be opened. If there are any floodgates holding any information back, that is. :-)

I love Vegas too.

Bob, go to the VAST site at http://vasst.com/product.aspx?id=86a3c0d0-67d6-4e7b-8219-d80848cbd5ca and download Celluloid. You'll need to register (free) if you haven't already done so to get the program. Ignore the fact that it says $24.99 as the basic version (only 6 "looks") is free. The nice thing about it for you is that it has a "convert 4:3 project to widescreen" option. HTH.

Mike

You've touched on one of Vegas' strongest features: uninterrupted playback while you make changes. It's hard to explain to users of other NLEs just how great a feature this is.

One of the biggest differences between Vegas and FCP/Premiere/Liquid, etc, is that the timeline is really serving as your workspace. In the other programs, you have separate windows and tools to work on the media, then you add to or adjust what's on the timeline. To me, Vegas is just more direct and intuitive and doesn't hang onto outmoded workflows that are handed down from film editing.

Gary

I think that would cause some clipping of the height.. thaz I set the properties as PAL but render as NTSC. Hmm I'm a little confused now..

I know...
Wild question...

But can it be done?

THANKS

I know...
Wild question...

But can it be done?

THANKS

Not so wild answer....

No.

Indirectly. Run the "Render Individual Images" script from Tools>Scripting, then run your action on the folder containing the images. Then you have to get them back in Vegas...

I am stumped on what should be a simple task. How do you synchronize the keyframe timeline to the track view? I need an easy way to add keyframes at the "right" time. I thought double clicking on the appropriate point in the track view would move the keyframe timeline cursor, but no dice.

A few things vs FCP

- Can edit while you playback
- Better keyframing control of audio envelopes on the timeline
- Can play back, in realtime, almost anything you throw at it.
- Faster, more responsive playback of effects, especially text media. Pop some text on FCP and watch it drop frames.
- More flexible arrangement of audio and video tracks on the timeline
- Auto cross fades
- Sub frame editing
- A keypress to cut/split - (stateless editing)

These are just a few things I have noticed (Hope I'm not wrong on any RE FCP) since I switched from Vegas to FCP.

In the lower left of the keyframe toolbar, you'll see a small icon that looks like a padlock.
Select this to enable synchronizing. This is found in all filters, Pan/Crop, and Track Motion keyframe tools.

Absolutely right! How come mine is greyed out, though? The event in question is a Text box. Can't you do it with the Media Generator?

You've touched on one of Vegas' strongest features: uninterrupted playback while you make changes. It's hard to explain to users of other NLEs just how great a feature this is.

Funny thing is, I think I learned how great that was from a comment you made in your training video!!! LOL! Since I've really only ever used Vegas, I just figured that's how ALL NLE's worked, but when I found out that wasn't true, I just couldn't believe it, not sure I could live without that one feature alone...

Absolutely right! How come mine is greyed out, though? The event in question is a Text box. Can't you do it with the Media Generator?

Text and generated media don't get the benefit of syncing to the cursor. Sorry!

I have Vegas 6, Premiere Pro1.5.1 and Edius Pro3. For me Vegas strong points are audio editing and keyframe controls, I like the titler and capture utility of Premiere and Edius Pro3 is by far the fastest editor for normal DV work being able to output realtime to DV tape without rendering. Most of my NLE experience was with Premiere and Vegas LE being used for audio with Sound Forge, I upgraded when I got my FX1 to do HDV editing and since then have not used Premiere very much. Edius is my main editor for DV editing and Vegas for HDV ( since I have been cropping a 4x3 SD image from the 16x9HDV, none of the other NLE's have the fine control of Vegas for this task). Without needing the cropping there is not much difference between Vegas and Edius for HDV editing, both will edit native m2t or have the option for an intermediate. Rendering of the HDV project created to export back to tape is about the same for both. Even as a hobbiest none of these NLE's do everything I want so I am happy to use each for their strengths.

Ron Evans

You CAN export your video FROM Vegas, do your operations in Photoshop, then Import the sequence back into Vegas:

1) Tools>Scripting>Render Image Sequence
2) Photoshop actions to the images
3)Vegas File>Import>Media>Open still image sequence.

Gary

Talk about withholding features... (What is the marketing term for that?) I bet it will be conveniently available in the next version!

I bet it will be conveniently available in the next version!

It hasn't become available over the past several versions. Not a bet I would make. The reasoning behind this has been explained in the past.

Here's a huge discussion on this topic:
http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=398476

Here's the official answer:
Sync to timeline is grayed out for generated media because the media might be used in muliple events, which might use time stretching or velocity envelopes. It's not always a one-to-one mapping, so sync is always grayed out.

The answer is found in this thread:
http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=132772

Hi all,

I currently loading my *.m2t files in Sony Vegas 6c and happily editing. My questions are; What choice do I need to choose to output to the same format (*.m2t) So I can send the footage back to tape? Secondly what choices do i choose to render to a format to make a dvd ??

Cheers for the input

Hello all,

Here's my question regarding button pics in DVDA2.

On my main menu screen I have two options. One to simply play the DVD and the other to choose a chapter.

I would like to have the button graphic (a toy soldier) appear only beside one menu button at a time. For instance the user can move through the main menu screen's options and the button graphic only appears beside the button that is currently selected.

I've been playing around with DVDA2 and visited the manual...yeesh, and I'm having some difficulty making it work.

Any assistance is appreciated.

sincerely,

ian

Ian,
Are you trying to accomplish this with separate masks, or using a Photoshop PSD file?