Vegas 5 rendering to ac-3 audio

[hiptune]

I have been using several different programs for various parts of the DVD process.

I have the full version of Vegas 5 on my two computers, installed from the original disc with legit serial number, and then registered in order to activate the ac3 rendering feature.

The registering of the software worked perfect for both my computers. I am not sure how strick they are about having this on two different computers, but I think if you have the retail boxed version of the software, and serial number, it may not be that big a deal to Sony unless you try to register a few computers with same Vegas serial #. I "have to" have 2 computers going, as I do professional work, and need the 2 system both running for several reasons.

Anyway, I did a complete reinstall of windows XP and all my software. And when I registered (again) Vegas 5, it did not unlock my ac3 rendering capabilities this time. Does anyone know the deal on this. Have I not registered correctly, or what? I had the ac3 feature and now with my new install I don't. This was the first computer I ever registered Vegas on, so the computer number is on file with Sony.

ac3 rendering is sometimes, on some projects, all I use Vegas for. As I like to encode video with Procoder or tmgenc, and render to ac3 with Vegas which I paid real cash for.

I know this might seen like a question for the Audio board, but I need answers from people who know Vegas, and those people are here.

Anyone know what will activate my ac3 in my legit version of Vegas 5? Should I just keep trying to re-register?

any help at all would be great. I need my ac3 I paid for.

[edDV]

I have Vegas 5 +DVD but can't really help other than to suggest calling Sony and explain that you had to reinstall all software on your machine. Many are doing this as part of the XP SP2 upgrade anyway.

Before Sony acquired this Sonic division, I was having the exact same problem with SoundForge 6's MP3 encoder. It took a call to get the encoder to register after a reinstall.

[hiptune]

I have Vegas 5 +DVD but can't really help other than to suggest calling Sony and explain that you had to reinstall all software on your machine. Many are doing this as part of the XP SP2 upgrade anyway.

Before Sony acquired this Sonic division, I was having the exact same problem with SoundForge 6's MP3 encoder. It took a call to get the encoder to register after a reinstall.

Thanks for the reply.

After I left that last post, I went over to the sony pictures vegas forum and looked at the FAQs on ac-3 and registering. They dop not have a problem with you having Vegas on 2 different machines, as long as you don't use them both at the same time. Like a laptop and a table based PC is fine. I have 2 regular PCs, but I am only one person, not a studio with a staff, I really can only use one at a time anyway. I like to have a guide from videohelp up on the screen on one machine, and have Vegas or another software booted up on the other. So I foloow the guide while running that particular program.

But I think you are right. I just need to make a call and they will turn me on. I'll bet once you fire in that other computer (2nd machine), and they activate you, they make sure you don't get to reactivate that first machine, or any other one without a little more effort like a phone call to plead your case.

And its not Sony, but Dolby Labs that is so strict about licenses and how many damn machines are out there cooking up ac-3.

Thanks, and I'll post my issue when resolved, and what played out to get it resolved. Sure a pain in the ass this stuff is anyway without activation hell.