Is Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 a good editing software?

[vid83]

I had Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 but got a new computer and Premiere Pro is not compatible with Windows Vista.
Due to the price, I am waiting to upgrade to a newer version.

For now, I need a cheaper editing software. I was spoiled by what Premiere Pro could do. Windows Movie Maker is too basic. I am trying a free trial of Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 and I am impressed. For the price (about $75), I'm suprised what it can do.

Are there any reasons why I shouldn't use Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10?

[vid83]

Also, why is it so cheap? It does so many things I could do in Premiere Pro, which is over $600.

[budwzr]

The only thing I can think of is that you might get mad at yourself for not trying it sooner.

It's cheap because Sony wants you to get addicted to it, like when the dopeman gives you a free sample party, and then buy the pro version and Sony cameras.

The main differentiation between MSPP and Pro is advanced compositing tools, but you won't get into that for a couple years.

[deadrats]

I had Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 but got a new computer and Premiere Pro is not compatible with Windows Vista.
Due to the price, I am waiting to upgrade to a newer version.

For now, I need a cheaper editing software. I was spoiled by what Premiere Pro could do. Windows Movie Maker is too basic. I am trying a free trial of Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 and I am impressed. For the price (about $75), I'm suprised what it can do.

Are there any reasons why I shouldn't use Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10?

you're the one who has to use it and if you like it then that's all that matters.

personally, before buying, i would also try roxio's video editor and magix video editor and perhaps wait for the tmpg express successor due to be released shortly, all are within that price range, so you do have choices.

personally i hate sony's software, i find it very counter intuitive and poorly laid out but that's just me.

[vid83]

you're the one who has to use it and if you like it then that's all that matters.

The reason I was asking is because I'm not a pro at video encoding, processing, etc. Is there something missing from this software (encoding, rendering settings, etc.) that is a must have that is not included in this software?

I am using this software for two purposes:
1.) Edit videos to upload to YouTube
2.) Take personal family video from my camcorder and edit (delete unnecessary parts), and save it to a hard drive in original/close to original video quality.

[deadrats]

The reason I was asking is because I'm not a pro at video encoding, processing, etc. Is there something missing from this software (encoding, rendering settings, etc.) that is a must have that is not included in this software?

I am using this software for two purposes:
1.) Edit videos to upload to YouTube
2.) Take personal family video from my camcorder and edit (delete unnecessary parts), and save it to a hard drive in original/close to original video quality.

if those are your reasons for purchasing that software it is my opinion that you are wasting your money. everything you have described can be done with free, open source software, my first choice would be xmedia recode and then avidemux, i see no reason to spend $75 on any video editing software just to do some simple editing.

[edDV]

you're the one who has to use it and if you like it then that's all that matters.

The reason I was asking is because I'm not a pro at video encoding, processing, etc. Is there something missing from this software (encoding, rendering settings, etc.) that is a must have that is not included in this software?

I am using this software for two purposes:
1.) Edit videos to upload to YouTube
2.) Take personal family video from my camcorder and edit (delete unnecessary parts), and save it to a hard drive in original/close to original video quality.

I'll argue the opposite vs deadrats.

I'm a long term user of Premiere Pro and Vegas Pro and find Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10 highly usable and a great bargain. This wasn't the case with previous consumer Vegas Movie Studio versions which I found severely lacking in features after using the Pro version.

I use Platinum in my field editing package and much to my surprise, I am mostly satisfied. I bought it with various competitive rebates for only $39 mainly so I could answer questions here. Just updating the Pro version costs $140-199.

For your use you won't miss much vs. the Pro version.

By comparison, Adobe Premiere Elements is severely dumbed down vs. Pro and is intended for Joe average who wants wizards.

Ask more.

[budwzr]

If you're asking "Is there a downside?" to using an NLE like Vegas, the answer is no. Unless you consider paying for something a downside.

[adom]

... The reason I was asking is because I'm not a pro at video encoding, processing, etc. Is there something missing from this software (encoding, rendering settings, etc.) that is a must have that is not included in this software? ...

MASK tool is missing in EVENT PAN / CROP - that is something I really miss (but it goes under EDITING tools - about which you haven't asked )