You guys sure are getting worked up into a lather over a product that hasn't yet been released. This thread has 120 posts in it and no one, except Ed Troxel, has ever used the new version for any length of time and his review was rather positive. His review also revealed some new features that weren't mentioned on the SCS web site. I'm going to wait another nine days until I have it installed on my own machine before I comment on this release.

We'll see how great this release is soon enough.

Maybe Sony is not listing the really cool new features 'cause they want to surprise us.

Yeah, that'll be it! ;-)

@John: We're discussing the new feature list, not our experience of using the new release which, as you rightly say, is limited to a few people outside of Sony.

I have little doubt that we will be reading a similar selection of comments from the 'post May 11' threads, i.e. a load of 'I'm underwhelmed' responses, along with a load of 'it's the best release ever' responses, as well as a healthy batch of 'I'm waiting for 9.0a when those bugs will be ironed out'. I think that might be me . . . :-)

As has already been suggested here, some of us are waiting for the eager beavers to buy/ install/use/report back before we make the jump. I'm happy to be an early adopter if there are sufficient features to make it worth the effort/cost/risk. Just don't see it in this release. I will almost certainly check out the trial version though, and I will gladly and publicly eat my words when it turns out to be a stormer!

Interestingly, of the 35ish individuals that have posted in this thread, just over half fall into the disappointed category. But close behind are those who think it's a good release. Too close to call, and too few numbers to draw any conclusions, but clearly not the overwhelming shout of approval that Sony would have liked. For that they have to turn to their own board where the majority seem to be giggling like drains about the new features!

I think that everyone has their own personal wish list for features they would like to see added and not everyone has the same list. For example, lots of people want Vegas to include a built-in deshaker plugin, but that doesn't mean much to me since I don't shoot shakey footage to begin with. Personally, I'm not looking for major new features, I'm more interested in things that make editing easier and, therefore, faster. I'm in Vegas literally 10-12 hours a day, if I could make that 8-10 and still be able to crank out the same quantity of material, that would make me very happy. A little over an hour of my time pays for the upgrade, so it's a no-brainer for me.

After reading Ed Troxel's review of Vegas v9, it turns out that it has a lot of seemingly minor functional enhancements which are going to greatly increase my productivity. Some of them don't necessarily rate a feature "bullet point" on the Vegas web page, but I'm pretty jazzed about them nevertheless. Just the change to the envelope tool could have literally saved me an hour today alone.

If you haven't read Ed's review, check it out here:

http://www.jetdv.com/tts/TTS07-01.pdf

You make some very good and fair points here John... I've already ordered it and am anxiously waiting to see what I get... At this point though, I'm basically hoping for surprise performance and stability increases that didn't make the 'bullet point feature set' that you referred to.

If the program is more stable, a little faster (more efficient), throws in some usability enhancements, and adds to the table support for other formats (RED, etc), I'll be a happy camper and at $200 to support this software every 12-18 months, I don't consider that too bad.

Jon

Anyway you cut it, sorry for the pun
 

if Vegas is your editor you'll have to buy 9 at some point, because effectively it must mean there are no more releases for 8 to fix known problems or enhance useability, which means a purchase of version 9 is essential.
If you've given up on Vegas and moved to another NLE system, you'll probably wait at least to the 9.0a to get inital teething bugs removed prior to any thought of purchase, unless of course, if people cry from the rafters how wonderful it is, people like me, who have a love/hate relationship with Vegas may jump in early.

Until then........

I've never had any problems with v8.0c, 8.0a was a little flaky, though.

Typically, the X.0 releases have a couple of minor problems which can only be discovered once the program goes into wide use, these issues are usually fixed within a couple of weeks with an X.0a release.

Thankfully, one can keep v8 installed and play with v9 until it stabilizes. I've got v7 and v8 on my machine now, but I haven't used v7 in a year or so.

Well hopefully I'm not retreading old ground too much from the past 100 or so posts, but personally I am disapointed.

I saw the feature list when it was released and was instantly disapointed. I read Ed's review just then, and while there are some minor tweaks which may be useful and I'm sure no doubt it will be a bit more effecient and stable, it wasn't exactly convincing enough for an upgrade. I guess it just comes across as Vegas Pro 8.0D rather than Vegas Pro 9.0. Which is disapointing in that Vegas Movie Studio version 9 came out quite a long time ago, so with the delay in the pro version of 9, I was expecting something a bit more groundbreaking I think. Maybe 9.0a will bring some amazing new feature list, but going by history, those updates are just bug fixes.

Maybe if the production assistant was included, I'd be more keen on upgrading but still think I'd still wait around for version 10 (especially considering the AUD is so poor right now compared to when I bought v8.0). But maybe I'm just expecting too much from probably the best value video editing software out there (not that I've used Avid, Premiere or Final Cut for a few years, so hard to compare).

I can see some users will think it's great, in particular Red and XD cam users, but considering I just bought a Z7 last year, those features are not going to be any use to me personally for at least a few years. If I wasn't upgrading, but just buying 9 fresh, or if I was upgrading from an older version like 6 or 7, then yeah it would seem good.

I think what I am waiting for, and would be more interested in paying for, is a Sony equivalent to After Effects/Motion etc. I liked the fact they added Pro titler in version 8, but I didn't find it that use-able, and from the looks of it, there's no advancement in that area in version 9, nor a new seperate effects specialist program released (though maybe that's in the pipeline?).

That all said I still love Vegas, though it does prompt me to maybe try out the latest version of competiting software.

As an XDCAM user I am very pleased with the upgrade. It is still attractive in terms of value as compared to the rest of the NLE list prices in my country. I just hope that the software is a lot more stable now, esp with the 64bit compatibility.

Ian,
You probably may have included me in the disappointed category, but I am moving to the optimistic side of the fence and placed my early order 2 days ago. I should probably go read Ed's review now so i can get really psyched but for me it was the issue of keeping up with the newest updates and bug fixes. I think SONY is highlighting the new features that appeal to users they have not reached out to in the past and are counting on many of us loyal Veggies to stay loyal. I don't shot Red but if V9 can handle 4k, how much better will it handle 1080i/p? I think we have a gem here and are going to see that once it is out, there are alot of improvements that have been understated. I will check back in after the 11th and let you know if I am eating crow or performing a victory dance...until then i will remain optimistic...

Actually, after reading Ed's review for the second time I now have done somewhat of an about face.

I now suspect in terms of performance the upgrade may be worthwhile, thought still disappointing in several key aspects. As has been pointed out, many of us have been waiting for hardware support. For a professional NLE to NOT offer HW support to me seems like an unforgivable oversight with HDV taking over the market. Even Nero offers hardware support via NVidia graphics cards which makes it seem even more ridiculous.

At any rate, several aspects of the upgrade sound nice, and for under $200 I'll do it.

I don't want people to think I have a downer on v9. I don't.

My only point is that for ME the new feature list doesn't contain anything that really gets me excited. Some nice enhancements, yes, but nothing that makes me want it NOW!

With v8 things were different - there was the new ProType Titler, for example, which had me giggling with anticipation. And then I saw it . . . ! And then I tried to USE it! This time I'm being cautious.

If there are marked performance and stability gains in the new version I will rush out and buy the upgrade, but I haven't read anything official - or unofficial - that says those improvements are there.

I really hope they are.

It IS disappointing Ian. But with the grieving process they say there are 5 stages. My first reaction to the feature list was anger (stage 1). Now I'm in the denial stage (stage 2), saying it's OK. I don't remember the other stages but I'm sure I'll find out as this continues.

Ha! Actually, stage 1 is shock, then follows denial, then anger! Your next stage, if you get back on the correct Kubler-Ross grief cycle, is bargaining. That's where you offer Sony $50 for the upgrade.

Can you tell who watches Frasier?

It seems you are right about the order. I went straight from shock to anger. This upgrade has got me so screwed up I'm doing it out of order.

I smell a lawsuit here based on psychological distress. I may need to call a few of you as witnesses.

After bargaining comes depression (when you find out the new release fixed all the old flaws but has lots of new ones) and finally acceptance (hoping Sony will fix the flaws in the next update).

:-)

I've upgraded with each new version since v6 and have sold on my previous version each time, recouping all my upgrade costs. I plan to do the same again.

Renton, how would i go about doing this ?
I currently have pro 8 and i'd like to upgrade to 9 but did'nt realise i could sell 8, if i did sell 8 then i presume it'd get registered to someone else.
So how does the upgrade to 9 process go, (i've never upgraded before) ?
I presume i go to the sony site, hit the upgrade (to pro 9 ) button and somewhere during the purchase i have to supply my pro 8 activation key.
I then get a pro 9 download and a new pro 9 key ? Or do i use my pro 8 key ?
My point is, if i sell pro 8 i presume the key goes with it what happens if my pc with pro 9 on it crashes in the future and i need to reinstall 9 ? What activation key do i use ?

Paul.

Hmm, my only wish for Vegas 9 is that the preview to DV firewire has to work with crossfade and 1 title track in full quality, without dropping frames!
I dont know why Vegas cant do this even on my core2duo system,
when Edius for example from version 2 or 3 can do on my older and far slower
Athlon XP system... :(
Don't misunderstand me, i like and use Vegas, but it would be good this function!

Anybody have a system that can make a simple DV to DV dissolve to firewire in full quality at 50/60i speed? If yes, please write your system specs here.

THX
Marton

I'm not Renton but here's my understanding on how this works.
You're on record with Sony as having purchased Vegas 8 Pro.
When you go to buy the upgrade, you use this serial number (it's part of the purchasing process) to get the discount price on the upgrade.
You get a new serial number when you purchase version 9 so you're covered in case of crashes, reinstalls, etc.
When you sell your old version, the purchaser registers it and gets a new serial number from Sony.
If the version you sell was used for an upgrade from a previous version, the purchaser can't use it to get the discounted price to upgrade to the latest version.
Hope this helps.

Cheers Mike, that all makes sense.
I get a new number when i buy the upgrade, that was my main concern.

Thanks.
Paul.

Paul, to extend on what Mike said...

YOU must contact customer service. You then tell them what you're doing (i.e. selling Vegas Pro 8 to another party), they'll need your serial number, you confirm who you are, you tell them who the recipient is, and they will send THEM a new serial number. NOTE that the NEW serial number CANNOT be used for any upgrades so the person you sell it to cannot upgrade.

I was thinking that it would be something along those lines, thanks Edward.

Paul.

Edward, thanks for the clairification on this issue.

Selling on seems to have been covered well enough so I won't repeat.

There are people who are quite willing to buy without the possibility of upgrade, because they are content to have a great program at cheap cost, even though it is not the latest greatest...

Ian, I hear you on the pro type titler. I never figured it out and in reality, I was getting professional titling results out of the built-in generators. Most of the "effects" the pro type enabled where hokey in my opinion anyways so I never saw that as a loss. I upgraded to V8 for the blu-ray support and upgraded coding, similar reasons for going to v9. i don't have new blue FX either so that is a nice bonus (i think) and I am hoping to migrate to XDCAM EX within a yr or so and I am always of the opinion that it is better to be ahead of the curve on your editors and system and behind the curve on the cameras. You can learn a new camera on the fly but learning the limitations of your editing software (IMHO) during a mission critical job is bad mojo.

I appreciate your skepticism (and Jeff's) and value your opinion and experience. It helps me keep my optimism in check. But I will be honest, I feel like a kid 3 days before xmas, I am ready for today to be the 11th...

After reading the information on the Video Guys site and thinking about it for a while I just ordered the updrade.

With my new Sony HDR-XR500V camera, it looks like Vegas 9 will (should) be quite helpful for my needs.

I tried NEO Scene and do not like it at all! Files are way too big and quality is not the same as the originals, not even close and the playback is not that much better.

So I am hoping Vegas 9 will improve the playback of my files.

I love the new camera! Great video even with the lowest quality and bit rate setting. Low light is excellent as well.

The review at the severely biased CCI should be 100% ignored.

Danny Fye
VidMus Video - Music Productions

So I have a quick question for everyone who preordered. I logged in to my profile at Sony Creative Software, and my pre-order doesn't show up. I also checked my bill, and the charge hasn't posted. I trolled back through my email inbox and don't see an order confirmation email either. Is this because it is a pre-order or should I contact customer support? I am chomping at the bit for tomorrow's install.

For those who already purchased, does your pre-order show in your profile at SCS? Did you receive a confirmation email when you placed your order?

Thanks!

No. I ordered today and got the message I would not receive the confirming e-mail until it was available for download. It also does not appear in my software listing. It did give one a receipt to print out as proof of purchase.

Thanks! With the clock counting down to the expected deadline, I guess I was just getting a little paranoid... :) Thanks for easing my mind.

oops.. the link was down n its ok now.

So it's the 11th. Has anyone received their confirming email yet?

not me......

edit.

just noticed they bumped the date to tomorrow...

Delivery date has been changed to 5/12 according to website.

It can't be, i've got it right now on my pc, the trial version.

Paul.

Just received:

I think that applies only to those who order it today?

I just downloaded my copy.

Danny Fye
VidMus Video - Music Productions

I got the same email and downloaded mine. I am beginning to install. I was surprised to see that it comes with DVD arch version 5.0b which I already had from my V8 upgrade but here goes...i'll be back after install.

I am back-installed and registered. It will take several weeks to give it a good test run but i am impressed with the options. If I already had NewBlue FX sampler, I would probably already have a lot of the new transitions and FX that came with that but for me this looks like a good investment at ~$185US.

Updates on opinions?
 

Hello friends! I am sad to report that I had a mission critical job appear around install time. I duplicated my project folders and eagerly imported into 9.0 and the playback was atrocious. It seems to automatically override your playback setting to what it perceives as "optimal" and in my case, the result was unacceptable. I reverted back to my 8.0 project file and finished the project. I did take all the files back into 9.0 for [b]batch[b] rendering with excellent results. I was disappointed that the chapter markers did not embed but it was nice to start the rendering before heading off to bed and get an 8 hr (okay, really more like 6hrs) head start on the process. I am glad for my investment but very ready for an update.

A quick note on unattended batch rendering. Make sure you disable scheduled virus scans and disconnect your internet. On my first attempt, windows and adobe both downloaded updates in the background and as they tried to extract themselves it froze my render, locked the computer and I had to shut down...worst part? I was rendering with a 2 pass encode from HD source files and the crash happened on the second pass about (estimated) 30 minutes before finishing and the entire render had to be redone...

So what does everyone think of the upgrade thus far?

That can be overridden back to the Vegas 8 method of operation so it won't automatically change.

Are you using the built-in batch script? If yes, you can download my updated version from here:
http://www.jetdv.com/scripts/BatchRender5.cs

Then look for this line:
args.IncludeMarkers = false;

Change the false to true and the markers will be included.