Get the PDF manual. The help files are not so good.
Sometimes things are so easy in the program that it eludes us.

Rick--

You took the words right out of my mouth. The more I use and learn about Vegas Video, the more excited I get about it. And it costs a fraction of the so-called "high-end" NLEs, and is every bit as powerful!

We have to get our English cousins away from Pinnacle and into Vegas----Obviously Sonic doesn't have the money to market this fantastic product overseas---

I just got Vegas Video and am very impressed. I can;t seem to find a way to tell Vegas to relocate the video pool. I want all captures to go to a dedictaed drive and can;t find the settings to move it? Any ideas?

Thanks!

Certainly. There are MANY settings that need to be adjusted for personal settings.

First, go to File - Properties and set the Pre-rendered file folder, and check the box that says "start all new projects with these settings" on the first tab. On the second tab, do the same thing for the Recorded files folder.

Make sure you go through all the settings in Options - Preferences. There are many personal things that can be changed.

Finally, to specify the capture location, Go to File - Capture Video. This brings up the video capture program. In this program, go to Options - Preferences.

Click on the Disk Management tab, delete the default entry, and add the location(s) where you want the files captured. If you enter multiple locations, it will automatically go to the second location once the first location gets full.

Also, go to the Capture tab and UNCHECK the Minimum clip length box. If you want every time you stopped and started the camera to go into a separate clip, make sure Enable DV Scene Detection is checked. Otherwise, uncheck this box to get one LARGE file containing all of the clips instead.

Once again, go through all of the settings on the tabs and set the preferences to suit your needs.

I'm very close to giving premiere the boot in favor of Vegas Video 3. It does everything I need it to do quicker and more efficiently.

I LOVE my Adobe products...but SoFo has won my heart with this release...(I've been using their audio apps for years!).

I still use After Effects as my compositing/titling/effects proggie. Always have. Always will. The main reason I'm taking VV over Premiere is the proprietary SoFo DV codec that all VV3 users know and love. I've heard amazing things about this codec!

Now...here's my question...will I be able to use the SoFo codec within After Effects to compress to a DV .avi, thus bypassing that dang MS codec? If this is possible...I could be unstoppable with a VV/AE workflow!!! ;0)

Thanks in advance for your responses. I've been lurking on these boards for a while now. I've learned soooo much! Thanks all!

The short answer is NO. However, you CAN use both AE and VV.

To transfer clips from VV to AE and from AE to VV, use Uncompressed AVI files. Once the file is back to VV, render it back to NTSC DV using the sofo codec.

So, even though AE cannot use the sofo codec, AE and VV CAN interchange clips.

DAH, so obvous I missed this. Thanks! I see now, explains why temp files and captures were going to 2 different places!!

make sure you use VV ( not AE) to change the clip from DV avi to uncompressed avi or uncompressed QT

when you complete AE FX's render out as uncompressed avi/Qt ... then use VV to change uncompressed clip back to dv.avi = that way you will always be using the SOFO dv codec when you uncompress and compress ... if you use AE for either it will default and use the microsoft DV codec uncompress ...

Uncompressed .avi in AE is bogging down my system. Since the SoFo codec is so "generation friendly" could I export from VV using the SoFo codec...do my work in AE...render that to an uncompressed...and re-compress it in VV?

The only step I'm thinking of changing is the exporting from VV as an uncompressed. If I can work with the SoFo compressed DV in AE, my processor will thank me.

I understand that it's throwing an extra compression in the export from VV, but the entire run would only compress it twice.
Raw DV files from my GL2 imported into VV > render to SoFo .avi codec for export into AE (One generation) > Import into AE > Add effects in AE and export to uncompressed .avi > Import into VV and recompress to SoFo codec .avi (Second generation)

It works in my head...and since the SoFo codec theoretically can recompress 10x without any visible loss (I've even seen that impressive 50x test)...isn't this loss minimal?

Thanks again for your help!

No. After Effects does not understand the VV DV Codec, so you
cannot read the VV material in AE and then export to uncompressed,
at least not to my knowledge.

Good luck.

I would suggest using the MainConcept DV codec. It's almost as good as the SoFo codec.....I think something like 30 generations before a degredation can be noticed. In order to have the MainConcept codec overwrite the default M$ codec in Adobe products, use a little utility called DVSWITCH or go into your registry and manually change QDVC.dll to MCDVD_32.dll.

I can't beleive ADOBE is still so regressive as to force use of the M$ crappy DV codec.

Could some explain this in more detail? How does it work, what cables do you need etc. Do you need a TV out card or do you connect the monitor to 1394?? Or is it a pass through your camera?

I'm a little confused since I saw this in a review:

"Vegas Video 3's ability to see what you're really doing, previewing all your work through 1394 on an NTSC or PAL monitor in real time"

Basic setup requires analog out from your camcorder.

1.Have your camcorder hooked up to your firewire card as if you are capturing video. (Make sure camera is on).
2. If you camcorder has analog out (composite or Svideo), run a composite or svideo cable to either a field monitor or at least a good television.
3. Make sure the camcorder is in play or vcr mode, not record mode.
4. Click the 'preview on external monitor'button on the upper left
of the video preview panel in Vegas.
5. Set the options for either PAL or NTSC (which ever is appropriate)
6. Vegas will take it from there.

Without the 1394 out, the previews are done on your computer monitor.

Das ist alle!

Joe C.

In the independent film forum, oneriver media posted their
latest codec results (mainly for Apple and FCP).
One of the ones they had highest praise for was the codec from black magic designs.

It has options for both 8bit and 10bit encoding/ editing.

Just on a whim, I emailed them to see if they had a Quicktime for Windows version. It turns out they do, and it's free, as in
beer.
Heres, the link
http://203.94.147.64/
select support then scroll down till you see the options for ms windows on the right side of the screen.
if you don't have it, you will also need to download the free version of stuffit (they have a link to the site).

I think you will need Quicktime Pro also. Not sure about that, though I have it.

Test>
I downloaded/expanded and installed the qtx file to the winnt/system32/Quicktime folder on my c drive.

I launced the demo version of DVfilmmaker to convert an avi file I captured with Vegas to Quicktime/blackmagic codec. All went well. I then opened up Vegas, an existing project, and added the clip in mov format to the timeline, automatically creating a crossfade event. Played back the changed timeline in realtime. Everything works.


Now all I need is an SDI card with an WDM driver and I have High Quality 10bit video capabilities with Vegas. Very very cool.

It should work with anything that can use Quicktime.


BlackMagic is a lossless 10bit 4:2:2 codec as well as a
lossless 8bit 4:2:2 codec. It's a better alternative than using no compression (avi or Quicktime), especially if you are rendering comps to Quicktime from AE or some other tool. The files are significantly smaller.
You can also work with FCP users if you need to. It's the codec used for the AJA and Kona SDI capture cards on PowerMacs.

Perfect thank you!

I've been playing with this codec too. The data bitrate for the 10 bit codec is around 30 Mb/sec.....well, as you can guess, on playback it made my system choke...not enough data thruput on my video IDE drive. Guess I need a RAID for this to work better.

Bill, yes, you get enourmous files with this codec. Yet they are 20 to 30 percent smaller than uncompressed avi or quicktime. This codec is not meant for general use unless you have a system with lots of horsepower and resources. However, if you are doing a short (under 2min) comp for AE, or another animation/comp program, this is a great codec to use.

checkout http://www.onerivermedia.com/codecs for a complete
review of the latest quicktime codecs. Even though the site is geared toward apple/fcp, all the native quicktime codecs informations apply to Quicktime for Windows too.

Quicktime is still the best way to share stills/video between apps on Windows. Be nice if some advanced Directshow filters would start showing up, but that hasn't happend yet.

The 64bit codec (Microcosm) from Theory LLC is also available for Quictime for Windows. A Demo can be downloaded from Anarchy.
Just follow the links from the onerivermedia site. It's listed under
the 4:4:4 uncompressed codec tests.

What's the deal with these prerenders? Isn't this like regular rendering in say, Avid or Final Cut Pro?


When I output, it renders the necessary content. It seems to me that if they've been rendered once, those files are saved somewhere on my hard drive, and therefore I should be able to output again WITHOUT rendering anything, unless I've made changes to some of my effects and whatnot. However, every time I output (using the print to DV tape function, maybe here's the problem?) it has to render everything all over again. How can I get it to just render once, and without changes being made, not again?

Ok, let's back up and see if you *really* have a problem:

A pre-render DOES create a new file on the hard drive equivalent to a render. Pre-renders are indicated by little green lines above the pre-rendered sections. If you have the green lines, you DO have pre-renders that WILL be used.

However, you have to be careful or you can lose ALL of your pre-renders. For example, if you add a new track, all prerenders will be gone. If you add a track wide, or project wide, effect, all pre-renders will be gone. So, before you print to tape, are the green lines still there? Depending on settings, you may also lose the pre-renders when you exit and reenter the program (look for preferences concerning pre-renders).

Finally, when you do the PTT, it will look at the entire project to see if anything else needs rendering - this will be the FIRST pass of the status bar. If it finds things to be rendered, they will be rendered in 10 second (300 frame) increments. Finally, the audio will be converted to a .w64 file.

So:
1) Are you doing something to lose your pre-renders?
2) Are you interpreting the "check to see if anything need to be rendered" as rendering?
3) Are you interpreting the .w64 generation as rendering?
4) Were there indeed changes to some sections that really needed rendering?

Not sure, good sir. I'll just to have wait till I encounter the problem again.

Personally, I NEVER pre-render. Instead, I work on my project in segments, and then render each segment to a new file. When done with all of the segments, I create a "final" project and pull all of the segments, in order, onto the timeline and create transitions between the segments as needed (i.e. overlap or make sure I fade to/from black...). Then, for the final render, all it has to render is the overlapping segments.

As an alternative, if you KNOW you want to keep a rendering and even be able to move it around, choose the option to render to a new track.

John are you printing from time line to tape ?
or rendering to a new clip then transfer that new file to tape ?

by any chance are you using FRAME MODE clips ?

Yes, tape to timeline. Yes, they are frame mode clips.

from my experience PRINT from TIME line using frame mode .
just didn't work for me as it pre render frames that i never changed /applied FX's ..

i found it better to have the project properties field order as NONE (progressive scan) -provided all clips are frame mode.

PLUS
when you Print from time line ..
"conform to DV format "window pops up ... click CUSTOM /VIDEO
..now change the field order to NONE (PROGRESSIVE scan) ...
now up at the top of window TEMPLATE - type in frame mode (or any name ) and then click the save icon ... now in the future under TEMPLATE you will pick frame mode to print from time line.
so next time when the conform to DV format window pops up you will select frame mode from the pull down ...

Thanks. I'll give it a try when I get there.

I have a few questions about Vegas Video 3.

1. Has anyone used it to edit a feature length movie? If so, how did it handle the job?

2.I was wondering if vegas video 3 comes with any filters to make the video look more like film, or do I need to purchase a seperate plug-in?

Thanks

It comes with a film look plugin that works OK. Sonic Foundry actually has a tutorial out on how to do the film look with VV3.
The technique involves the re-rendering at 24fps with "resample video" turned on

1. Has anyone used it to edit a feature length movie? If so, how did it handle the job?

Feature length movie, NO. Feature length (Two Hour) event - YES. I routinely edit two hour events using Vegas and it handles it extremely well. I experience no speed differences whether the project is 30 seconds or 2 hours.



2.I was wondering if vegas video 3 comes with any filters to make the video look more like film, or do I need to purchase a seperate plug-in?

Kind of. It has the built-in film effects which is mainly for "old style" film looks. However, there is also an additional effects package available from Sonic Foundry's website that adds more effects and transitions that may be beneficial. Finally, it can render to, basically, any format. You would just have to test some of the various features and see how well it works for you.

Does anyone have a method for creating a custom shaped wipe in Vegas Video? YOu know at the end of cartoons and movies where the screen gradually closes in on a subject, in say, a circular shape ("that's all folks")? Well I want to do that, but using a star of David shape.


I created a star shape in photoshop against a black background of 655X480 and imported into VV, then chroma keyed out the star shape, leaving a black background. I used four copies of a black solid color background to fill in the areas of the screen that the custom shape failed to cover as it got smaller. I realized that the black of my custom shape is lighter than VV's black. I see no way around this. Any ideas?

Film effect is more dependent on how you light and shoot your feature then on what software can do to it after the fact. You should contact a company like Swiss Effects before shooting in order to receive guidance on what they will need from you.

As far as Vegas goes, I dont see why it wouldn't do a wonderful job for editing a feature---I just finished a two hour documentary using it and it worked wonderfully.

The absolute easiest method to achieve this effect would be to buy the Pixelan spices - this allows you to use various pictures as wipes and is fully keyframeable.

There IS a workaround but you have to use 3 video tracks, and parent/child two of them. If you wish to post your e-mail address, I could send you a sample project.

Look for an e-mail of a sample project with a "heart" shaped dissolve.

1)
90 min documentary ... captured 34 hrs of selected tapes ( shot 70hrs +)

better management of clips would be helpful BUT came up with own system ....

i think a scripted feature would be much easier to manage the clips ....

2)
SoFo does sell a extra set of filtes and one is a FILM FX ..haven't used it .. i think you can download and give it a try.
IMO FIlm looks ALL looks phoney- YES on a 19" TV it looks good BUT 36" and larger IMO the film FX sticks out. ... i think you can get better results crushing the blacks slightly and smoothing the highlights ( give gamma a S curve) ...plus converting 60i to 30P or shoot frame mode/progressive ...

Josh,

On the technique that you used. You might try to use the color picker when you make the black background in VV. What I mean is, click on the color of the background that you created in Photoshop, instead of choosing just a black background. Just a thought.

Genius! What a retard I am!

1) Is this software for non-commercal use only, or can you legally do anything with it?

2) How powerful is it when compared with, say, FCP? Premiere?

Vegas can be used for commercial use, it has no restrictions. However, if the software is bought through the acediemic discount available to students and teachers, it is not supposed to be used for commercial use. Other than that, you can make all the money you want with it.

I personally have not used FCP, and my knowledge of Premiere is limited. However, the information I get from reading many, many posts and reviews is this: As far as the basic editing functions and features, they are about the same. Each has it's good and bad points. Most claim that Vegas is easier to learn and functions and commands are more upfront (not hidden in multiple menu paths). Vegas has some very powerful compositing and audio tools. I think that these are two areas where it excels. The "real time" preview on computer, video monitor, or television is very helpful and unique, no rendering necessary before you can see the results of your work. Viewing on a video monitor or TV is especially helpful when doing color correction.

Vegas is lacking in EDL and bins and does not presently compete with Premiere and FCP in this area. However, rumor has it that the next version will include these features on the professional level.

Vegas also does not have much in the way of outside plugin support. SoFo does have their own plugin packs and Pixelean does also. In addition, the oh so generous Satish is writing plugins for Vegas and offering them for free (you probably already know about these).

Overall, FCP and Premiere have been around and have made their mark in the video world. Vegas however is coming up from behind at a rapid pace. I think everyone will be surprised to see what Vegas comes up with when version 4 is released (suspected some time 1st qtr 2003).

Oh did I mention that Vegas is extremely stable. It has not crashed or locked up on me once in the eight months I've used it. And that's including the times when I have one instance of Vegas rendering in the background, while editing in another.

IMO

magicman

1) Is this software for non-commercal use only, or can you legally do anything with it?

Vegas can definitely be used for commercial use. We do so every day.


2) How powerful is it when compared with, say, FCP? Premiere?

Vegas is just as powerful as either of these programs. In some areas, FCP or Premiere will excel - in other areas, Vegas will. Then general consensus seems to be: for speed of editing, ease of use, accessibility of options, AUDIO - Vegas wins. If you need specialized "real-time" hardware - Premiere is needed. If you use a Mac, FCP.

As mentioned before, the weaknesses currently in Vegas are generally related to: EDL imports and exports, Clip Management (although I use the explorer view and can organize via subdirectories), and plug-ins. We do not yet know how many of the deficiencies will be remedied in Vegas 4.

The differents systems have their strengths and weakness, as everyone says.

Think about what you need TODAY, and what you are likely to need TOMORROW.

Don't forget to take a look at Avid XpressDV. Especially if you are interested in long form and editing in FILM. OR are planning to transfer to a professional suite. This is where Avid excells. But it is the most expensive of the NLE's for DV, so it might be more than you need.

Thanks. That's what I thought. These 2 questions were asked by a friend of mine, now I can answer him.

When I record footage from my camera via firewire to Vegas' capture utility, it always uses Microsoft's DV Recorder as the capture device.

I get paranoid, because everyone says to avoid the MS codec. I have it turned off in Vegas, and specifically tell Vegas to use Sonic's DV codec.

But Microsoft DV Recorder listed as the device being used is OK, right? BEcause it's uncompressed at this stage and has nothing to do with codecs....aye?

Well, you are not correct with one thing. It is not uncompressed!!
It actually is already in the DV format!! Your camera has a
DV encoder onboard that converts the signals to DV format. So
what your computer does whilst capturing is actually a simple
file transfer (more or less). The camera sends the DV packets
and the computer writes these to your harddisk without changing
anything (except when you are splitting audio, but that still
does not has anything todo with codecs).

So yes, you do not have to worry about Vegas using microsoft
tools to transfer your footage!

The codec ONLY comes into play when you are editing video. Whenever you add a title or dissolve or other effect, that portion of video must be rendered. It is this rendering that uses the codec - NOT the transfer to/from the camera.

Heh, excellent. Thanks for clarifying. Pretty straightforward when I think about it.

Isn't there a feature in Vegas Video 3 that allows you to delete all media except that which is used in your project? I saw it in a post (searched and couldn't find it) and I thought I came across it while editing, and now can't find it.

In MEDIA POOL, select the leftmost icon...it looks like a small broom...."Remove all unused media from project"

The broom will remove all items from the media pool that are not used in the project. However, you can also remove all clips from the hard drive that are not used in the project. If you do a Save As to a new directory and also check the box that says, "Copy and trim media with project" it will save the project and only the portions of the clips used in the project. Then the master clips could be deleted (if no longer needed) and the project will be as small as it can possibly be.

another way to think about it when you transfer from camera to computer over 1394 -you are just moving DATA from tape to HD ... similar to when you move a file from one HD to another HD = it just copies the DATA

Ah, thank you so much.