The Sony Vegas production suites help the user to edit video and audio, undertake multi-format encoding of files and design, as well as author DVDs.
Originally introduced by Sonic Foundry, Sony has developed the Vegas family of software to include functionality aimed at the hardy professional but also developed an intuitive user interface which is comfortable to the casual user. Visual and sound effects libraries for Vegas are available to order, contact Technical Support for details.
File Formats Supported
Vegas Movie Studio imports AIFF, ATRAC, AVI (also MPEG encoded AVI), BMP, FLAC, GIF, JPG, LPEC, MMV, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, OGG, PCA, QuickTime, SFA, SWF, TGA, TIF, W64, WAV, WMA and WMV. The Platinum edition adds MPEG-4, Sony M2TS, PNG, and PSD.
Vegas Movie Studio can export AVI, FLAC, MP3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, OGG, PCA, QuickTime, RealAudio, RealVideo, W64, WAV, WMA, and WMV. The Platinum edition adds AC-3, ATRAC and MPEG-4 export facilities.
Vegas Video Pro can import AA3, AAC, AAF, AIF, ASF, AU, AVI, BMP, BWF, CDA, DIG, DLX, DPX, DV, EXR, FLAC, GIF, HDP, IVC, JPG, M2T, M2TS, MTS, MOV, Sony MXF, MP3, MP4, M4A, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4, MTS, OGG, OMA, PCA, PNG, PSD, QT, R3D, SFA, SND, SWF (ActionScripting, motion video and audio not supported), TIFF, TGA, TS, VOX, W64, WAV, WMA, and WMV.
Vegas Video Pro export capabilities include AA3, AC3, AIF, ATRAC, AVC, AVI, DPX, EXR, FLAC, HDP, MOV, MP3, MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video, MPEG-4, M2T, M2TS, Sony MXF, OGG, PCA, RM, W64, WAV, WMA, and WMV.
Platform and Hardware Requirements
Vegas Movie Studio and Platinum Editions
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Vista. Processor: 800MHz minimum, 2.8 GHz recommended for HDV and AVCHD, Platinum only. Hard drive: 200MB space is required for program installation. RAM: 256MB recommended, 512MB for HDV and AVCHD processing, Platinum version only. OHCI-compatible i.LINK connector1/IEEE-1394DV card for DV capture and print-to-tape. Windows-compatible sound card. DVD-ROM drive for installation, supported CD-Recordable drive for CD burning only, supported DVD- R /- RW /+ R /+ RW drive for DVD burning only. Supported Blu-ray recordable drive for Blu-ray burning only, Platinum version only. Microsoft DirectX 9.0c or later and Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0; both are included on the application DVD.
Vegas Video Pro
In addition to the above, the following requirements must be adhered to. Microsoft Windows XP, SP3 recommended or Vista, SP1 recommended. Vegas Video Pro also supports Windows 7. 1GHz processor, 2.8 GHz recommended for HDV. Hard drive: 600MB space for optional Sony Sound Series Loops and Samples reference library. RAM: 1GB, (2 GB recommended). USB 2.0 connection, (for importing from AVCHD, XDCAM EX, or DVD camcorders). Supported Blu-ray recordable drive, for Blu-ray burning only, Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 and QuickTime 7.1.6 or later.
Licensing and Support
Sony products are licensed for use on a single computer. Technical Support and software updates are available online at www.scvlondononline.co.uk, telephone technical support is available on 020 8418 1472. Educational establishments, (schools, colleges and universities), may qualify for discounts and multi-user licences. Contact Sales for further information.
VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO 9.0
Although aimed at the semi-professional and casual user, Movie Studio has a variety of facilities that will interest anyone on a tight budget or where the extensive facilities of the flagship package are not required. Utilising four video tracks and four audio tracks the user can use an extensive range of non-destructive, drag and drop, cut, paste and copy commands to arrange their media on the interactive time-line display. Some 185 transition effects are included as well as 300 video effects complete with animated credits. Video preview is made available and external DV monitoring is possible, depending on hardware.
Audio capabilities include DirectX and VST plug-in support. Over ten audio effects are included as standard. ACID loop support, and ASIO drivers for audio hardware also supported. Record and playback sample-rates can be up to 48kHz at 16 bits, depending on hardware, with the ability to swap between multiple audio takes. Audio level and pan automation can be drawn graphically on the time-line and tape-style audio scrubbing is also available, depending on hardware.
Integrated DVD authoring and burning facilities, including setup templates, are provided as standard. Import from Sony DVD camcorders is available, depending on hardware. Also included with Vegas Movie Studio are exclusive video clips, titles, borders as well as music beds and interactive tutorials to assist the user to be up and running as quickly as possible. New to version 9.0 is the inclusion of streamlined ‘new project’ and ‘make movie’ wizards, integrated upload to YouTube, full screen preview to a primary or secondary display as well as support for the Sony Cinescore Studio soundtrack creation plug-in, (see separate catalogue entry for details).
VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO PLATINUM EDITION 9.0
The same package as Vegas Movie Studio, with HDV and Sony AVCHD video editing support in addition. Further transitional and video effects and primary colour correction tools are added. Audio facilities are expanded by including over twenty DirectX audio effects and the capability for 5.1 surround sound mixing and AC3 encoding. Export directly to Sony PSP system and rendering to Apple iPod compatible format is also added. Version 9.0 enhancements as per MOVIE STUDIO with the addition of improved native HDV .m2t playback performance and improved memory handling for HDV longform projects, as well as burn to Blu-ray Disc from the timeline and improved Sony AVC/MPEG-4 encoder.
VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO PLATINUM PRO EDITION 9.0
Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition supplied with Sony Sound forge Studio 9 audio editing package for more extensive audio operations. Further enhancements are included in the form of over a 1000 royalty free sound effects and New Blue 3D transition and video effects.
VEGAS VIDEO PRO 9.0
Taking the facilities of Vegas Movie Studio Platinum yet one step further, Vegas Video Pro allows unlimited video and audio tracks, depending on hardware. The software layout can be customised and layouts can be stored and recalled at will. There is SD-SDI and HD-SDI support (hardware dependent), external monitoring facilities also include DVI format. Advanced colour correction tools and WFM, Vector, Parade and Histogram video scopes are also provided.
Audio functionality is expanded greatly with sample-rates up to 192kHz at 24 bits, depending on hardware, with over 35 effects supplied, some with 5.1 surround support, with automation of such as standard. Punch-in recording with auto input monitoring is supported and a virtual mixing console speeds up the workflow. Master, auxiliary, and effects-bus tracks are provided. File support is extended including FLAC file and Broadcast Wave format support. There is Cinescore plug-in support, and Gracenote CDDB can be accessed when importing CD tracks. Red Book audio CD mastering/burning is included. Audio and video time-stretching facilities are available.
Additional file support and media management tools are included to ease project and media-file management. There is support for external control surfaces and additional hardware video interface support including Blackmagic Design DeckLink, AJA Xena LH, LHe, LS, and LSe board support. XDCAM format is supported. New enhancements in version 9.0 are new tiling and multi-camera tools, a new audio mixer, enhanced video preview, new scripting extensions and Blu-ray Disc burning directly from the timeline. Vegas Pro also includes Sony DVD Architect for general DVD and Blu-ray authoring.
The included customizable video effects are further implemented with a suite of new lighting effects and the program now sports a new colour scheme to provide an optically neutral environment for optimized viewing of colours in the video content. New default layouts for audio mixing and colour correction have been added which can be modified by the user and recalled at a later date. Vegas Video Pro now natively supports frame sizes up to 4096 x 4096, (4K image standard for digital cinema projection is 4096 x 2160 pixels), as well importing and editing from the timeline RED ONE files. Interactive tutorials now included as standard.
VEGAS PRO PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
The Vegas Pro Production Assistant plug-in enhances the functionality of Vegas Pro software, streamlining the workflow for professional broadcasters and editors. By automating many frequent tasks and processes including batch file processing of media files, many hours of labour can be saved by the professional end user.
Many functions are included to streamline workflow in a typical broadcast environment including automatic swapping of placeholder slugs with program media, broadcast colour processing presets including correction for tungsten balance, fluorescent lighting, indoor white balance problems and stage lighting issues. The plug-in allows image overlays at regular or fixed intervals for automated network bug/dog placement and other watermarks. In addition 50 animated lower thirds are provided with the ability to automatically place such in your media.
Gaps between media events can be quickly and efficiently removed and automatic customisable video crossfades can also be programmed. Further tools allow the quick production of montages for photo and video events as well as motion ‘fly-ins’ over video and still backgrounds whilst 21 video filters allow your production to obtain a look akin to being shot on film.
A widescreen converter tool offers complete control over display of HD/SD 16:9/4:3 and mixed media and other automated pan/crop techniques. Further to this a conversion tool is provided to change 4:3 full screen clips to 16:9, or pull a 4:3 centre-cut from 16:9 material. Audio tools allow splitting of split stereo tracks to separate mono tracks and automatic volume envelopes to duck audio for voiceover work. The user can create, save and recall batch file processing presets to process media for playback rate, broadcast colour, video filters, marker creation, image sequence creation, crop and aspect ratio, image background/underlay/overlay, audio normalization, and interlace flicker reduction as well as encode video with built-in presets for a variety of delivery options.