Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum

[BDSC]

I have just purchased my first underwater video system and was trying to decide on which of the many editing software systems to use. I have read a few good things about the Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition. Right now you can get it new for $59.99. Is this system reasonably user friendly?

What I will be doing is just shooting underwater video when on vacation for me and my friends to see. I want to be able to piece together the better parts of what I shoot and then add some music and put it on a DVD. Really just the basics.

If you feel there would be a better system for what I want to do feel free to throw that in there.

Thanks for any replies!

BDSC

 

[Rig Magician]

I was thinking of starting one of these my self. I am also looking for a basic first timer program, but I need it to work with HDV, or I will have to down convert it. I have intervideo winDVD creator 2 and was looking at the HDV version. It seems real easy to do just what you are saying. But if there is a eaiser one I would like to know.
Mark

 

[BDSC]

Hello Mark!

The other system I am considering is "Adobe Premiere Elements 4". The reason is, they have written one of those books called, "Adobe Premiere Elements 4 for Dummies" and it is suppose to be really user friendly and the book walks you through many examples. So that's another one I was wondering if people had thoughts on.

BDSC

 

[PerroneFord]

I have not used Elements or Vegas Movie Studio. I have used both of their Pro versions. Bear in mind this is just my opinon.

Editing software tends to come in three flavors from what I can tell.

1. Pro software. Generally capable of preparing professional level shorts or features.

2. Basic editing software that generally sells below $100. This software is really dumbed down, but people who shoot video regularly, tend to find it very limiting after a short while. Companies tend to make it difficult to share video out of these programs with other people. Often, they use non-standard editing formats, and sometimes don't offer lossless editing.

3. The tweeners. Software that is more fully featured than the basic stuff, but doesn't offer all the bells and whistles of the pro stuff. I think this is the sweet spot for most shooters. Movie Studio falls in here quite comfortably. It's good software. BUT, it will NOT be as easy to learn as some of the most basic stuff. In that regard, it's like Photoshop. You can do some basic stuff pretty easily once you learn your way around. But there is a lot of power lurking underneath. I am not familiar with Elements so I don't know what it offers. Hopefully others here will be more familiar.

 

[BDSC]

Thanks PF.

I've been reading a lot of your other posts on other threads and you seem to know quite a bit about the subject matter of video. I will be taking my set-up to Cayman Brac in less than a month. I know I have a lot to learn but after diving for 17 years and just diving and looking, I think it's going to be fun doing something more. Even if it's just vacation type of video I'm excited to get started.

My set-up is on another post called, "Did I get a good deal" or something like that.

BDSC

 

[PerroneFord]

I deal with video professionally at my office. More now, than at any other time. I have done corporate video type stuff for many years. But I have only delved into the very basics of underwater video. I've shot a little but edited quite a bit more. I am no expert at this stuff, and we have some people on the forum who really are pros at it. That's why I love when they chime in on threads like this.

I hope you get great enjoyment out of your video setup. And it will drain your wallet even faster than just diving!

 

[ronscuba]

I also use Vegas Pro, but Movie Studio Platinum should serve you well.

I took a look at your set-up post. For Cayman Brac, I recommend you use the filter and no lights for most of your daytime shooting.

 

[BDSC]

I also use Vegas Pro, but Movie Studio Platinum should serve you well.

I took a look at your set-up post. For Cayman Brac, I recommend you use the filter and no lights for most of your daytime shooting.

Thanks RonScuba! That's the kind of stuff I need to know and your advice is appreciated. I do have a red filter for the camera. I keep reading that you shouldn't use both a red filter and lights at the same time. Not sure why but I'm sure it's true.

BDSC

 

[marshallkarp]

You can download the trial copy of Vegas Platinum and try it. I did this, liked it, and bought the package.

So far, I have made two videos on it, no dive videos yet, though. Here is an HD one, so you can check out the HD quality, Easter Dinner 2008 on Vimeo. Yeah, I know, it's a family home movie. Watch as long as you want or can.

I followed the Vimeo instructions of outputting the HD to a uncompressed WMV file, then uploaded that. You will find the reason is that the H.264 compression codec only lets you compress for ipod, not an HD webpage video. Having said that, I did another one with an uncompressed Quicktime and used a freeware third party H.264 compression software. The quality was much better, but I did not load that up there. Probably go this route in the future, though.

As for blu-ray burning, haven't done that yet. I am hoping someone will develop the freeware program (I think there was a blu-ray burning program in The DV show download vault at The DV Show...Digital Video Podcast, Video Editing, Camcorder Reviews, Videography. Haven't checked it yet). Anyway, I won't get a blu-ray player until Walmart has them for $200, probably at Christmas.

Bottom line, I used Pnnacle Studio for years for my SD video. My choice was, upgrade Pinnacle or try Vegas. Having tried Vegas, I like it so much better.

 

[Rig Magician]

This is the one i was looking at. The time lines and seetings seem to be the same as the other one that I have from Corel. Does anyone have any knowledge of this program.

VideoStudio 11.5 Plus is video editing and DVD authoring software for anyone who wants to easily produce professional-looking videos, slideshows, and DVDs. Work quickly with intuitive wizards, or express your creativity with hands-on editing tools. Share your movies everywhere, on iPods, YouTube, or the latest HD home theater systems, with full support for AVCHD, Blu-ray and HD DVD discs.

Here is the link: Video Editing - Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus - Corel Corporation