Premiere vs Vegas

[viveresempre]

Thanks edDV, I checked out the AVID page again, and you're right, the workstations are optional. I will follow your advice and check out the specialized forums. You say they have a learning curve of a couple years. How long of a curve do you think Premiere and Vegas have?

[BJ_M]

Add FCP as the 4th major player.

Each of these programs has a user community and culture. Each has a major learning curve that takes years. If you are serious, you will sample each and find your fit.

I steered you to Avid based on your interest in long form film style production. That is the primary culture at Avid. Each of the other products will have a subset of users using their product that way. Sample the forums and support sites because you will need to rely on those folks in the future.

very well put --

[BJ_M]

Thanks edDV, I checked out the AVID page again, and you're right, the workstations are optional. I will follow your advice and check out the specialized forums. You say they have a learning curve of a couple years. How long of a curve do you think Premiere and Vegas have?

i use both avid systems and vegas -- vegas is by far the easier system to use (learn) and is MUCH faster to do anything on except when it comes time to render -- But people that have been editing for many years will most likely have learned on avid mcx or express and up and will find all the avid versions very straightforward (after using it for 5 ++ years) , all avid platforms share a common interface and look and feel ...

though it is slow to render (vegas) -- though you can set up a render farm ..

you will find it much harder to import a lot of different formats in AVID ,AVID is (depending on version) a Quicktime based product , or for the cheaper versions - DV .. it is not user friendly for different formats or even mixing different sources ...

Vegas is resolution and format independent - AVID is not

AVID is the way to go though for film match back and EDL (OMF) support with Protools and finishing on composer .. a big strength with the avid pro system ...


vegas - has more limited EDL support and you can finish on Xpri .....


they actually can be both used - if you have the budget ... and need film matchback support ..

I am one of the moderators on the DMN vegas forums - but I am impartial also ...

here is good article on a TV station that uses full avid systems switching a lot of stuff to vegas for broadcast ..

http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/articles/wfaa-Vegas.asp

[viveresempre]

Wow, very helpful. I think I'll be getting back to you with some questions.

[viveresempre]

I have been thinking, and am beginning to think I might not want to make the investment that Avid represents. Even though I can get it for cheaper than V egas and Premiere, I will have to upgrade to 1 GB of mem. and upgrade my video card. Also, spending 5 + years to master the program that I want to use now seems a bit over my head. Not a final decision, but just a thought. However, back to my original question: if I were to pick between Vegas and Premiere, which would I choose?

[BJ_M]

well forget the premiere element version -- not worth it ... they stripped out to much ...

between premiere pro and vegas - they both have their points ...

this question has been asked many many times on the creativecow forums (vegas and premiere) , the dmn forums (likewise) and on the sony vegas forum
- maybe on the premiere forum also - though i dont follow that one anymore ...

so you might want to do a search on those forums ..

http://www.dmnforums.com/cgi-bin/displaywwugindex.fcgi?dire=4&endday=14&forum=sonic-foundry_vegas
http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/default.asp?ms=1
http://www.creativecow.net/forum/view_posts.php?forumid=24

[Premjit V.P.]

Hi,

Instead of saying one software as superior than other, why not mention the differences or specify the details of superiority? If time is the factor in these softwares, many may not mind it. If anything else like interface, build quality, quality of reproduction etc., etc., that will be worth mentioning.

Take it seriously to reply as many are fools like me in this field.

Bye

[edDV]

Thanks edDV, I checked out the AVID page again, and you're right, the workstations are optional. I will follow your advice and check out the specialized forums. You say they have a learning curve of a couple years. How long of a curve do you think Premiere and Vegas have?

I said or intended to say all four (premiere, vegas, avid Xpress, final cut pro) have a multi year learning curve to become proficient and to understand some of the 2nd and 3rd order issues. That is why choosing the support community is as important as choosing the software. I've tried to differentiate these 4 programs and communities so you can decide which matches your goals.

These are all professionaly targeted products. As you go up in software sophisticaltion, all the handholding wizzards disappear in exchange for greater control and creativity. Like with Photoshop, you need to gain knowledge and skills to make these programs work for you.

[viveresempre]

Thanks all.

[viveresempre]

I just did some lucky web surfing. Or unlucky. Sony discontinued the Vegas academic line for individuals. If I were to buy Vegas + DVD now, it would cost $800, as opposed to the academic pricing, $419, on Adobe's video collection (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, DVD). In this light, I think it would be ridiculous to go Vegas. Just a thought. What do you think? I'm still considering Avid...

[edDV]

Are you sure about Vegas adademic?

See here:
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/item/?tname=245037&title=Vegas%AE

[BJ_M]

they discontinued it -- but now brought it back i heard ..

[viveresempre]

Thanks, you're right. And it's cheaper now, too.

[viveresempre]

Thanks to all who contributed. I am still in the process but am much better advised now.

Thanks.