Sony Vegas 9 Professional or Adobe Premiere CS4 for PC

[apollo1980]

Which is the most realistic software package to use for a PC, editing Panasonic P2 files shot in 720p:

Will be editing on a Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit pc with 8 megs of ram (maxed out), an intel quad core processor, and a GeForce GTS 250 with 1GB of video ram.


I will buy an external hard drive (probably firewire 800), 1TB in size, for editing (not going to RAID, I think I read that Adobe Premiere CS4 wanted a RAID 0 setup for editing in HD?

With this setup (and tell me if my setup is inadequate or not correct to do this), which is the most realistic software editing package to get?

Sony Vegas 9 Pro or Adobe Premiere CS4?

Thanks in adavance.

[poisondeathray]

What kind of P2 footage? DVCPro HD ? If so, it's very easy to edit (smooth) especially compared to AVCHD and that system will handle it no problem

Both programs are capable, but the workflows and nuances are slightly different. I suggest you download the trials and see if they fit your editing style.

[apollo1980]

I know one of the cameras is a Panasonic HVX 200 and will use P2, but, unless I'm misunderstanding, that camera can record both ways?

Not sure what the director of photography will use.

[poisondeathray]

No, HVX 200 does not record AVCHD

[apollo1980]

When I used Sony Vegas 8 (9 is now out), I noticed 'slipping' when I wanted to edit a clip. Meaning, the 'in' point I defined may slip and it starts a brief moment sooner or later. Frustrating for a tight edit.

Has this been fixed?

Also, I want to create an effect where it looks like lightning going off in a room. Does either Vegas 9 or Premiere CS4 have the option of making lightning bolt(s) appear?

Thanks!

[poisondeathray]

When I used Sony Vegas 8 (9 is now out), I noticed 'slipping' when I wanted to edit a clip. Meaning, the 'in' point I defined may slip and it starts a brief moment sooner or later. Frustrating for a tight edit.

Has this been fixed?

I haven't noticed this behaviour, but you may want to test it out on your specific clips with the trial version before committing. It might have been something that you did differently

Also, I want to create an effect where it looks like lightning going off in a room. Does either Vegas 9 or Premiere CS4 have the option of making lightning bolt(s) appear?

Assuming you want to make it look real and not a "cartoony" effect, after effects is better suited for this task. To make it look real you need to simulate lighting, reflect glows , and cast shadows on/from other objects ; neither vegas or premiere can do this effectively