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As more and more portable devices integrate camcorder functionality, recording amateur video on the fly becomes a much less daunting task. However, editing that video can be another matter altogether. From very basic consumer apps to professional grade production suites, there's no shortage of software available to help you trim your footage and add an appropriate soundtrack.
Sony's Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10.0 falls somewhere in the middle in terms of consumer video-editing programs. It's probably too advanced for most newbies, but those with some level of experience toying with digital video will find that it offers a nicely laid-out interface and plenty of features.
The main window for this version of Vegas Movie Studio is divided into four sections that are all pretty straightforward in function. The top of the screen offers a preview pane, a trimming window, and a multitabbed media corner that contains the files you've imported. This section also lets you access additional content, including video transitions and effects. The bottom half of the screen is dominated by the editing bank, into which you can drag and drop various video and audio clips from the media corner. Projects offer six components initially: text, video overlay, video, voice, music, and sound effects. ("Voice" generally refers to the audio originally attached to the video in this case.)
Lining the very top of the window is a multitude of icons that can take you into the various features of the software. With one click, you can enable snapping, lock envelopes to events, and insert automatic crossfades. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming to first-time users; luckily, Sony includes a prominent "show me how" button that takes you directly to various handy tutorials for the program.
As for features, Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum is not lacking. Some that carried over from version 9.0 include the ability to edit and produce movies with special effects and transitions, create DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with custom menus and graphics, and share movies on portable devices. In version 10.0, Sony has simplified the new project experience, as well as added a built-in image stabilization tool, a slideshow creator, and support for an increased number of audio and video tracks in a single project.
Sony Vegas is capable of importing 26 audio, video, and image file formats, including QuickTime, MPEG-4, and AVI. It can save to 25 file types. In addition, it can edit and save in high-def, and there's an option to publish final movies directly to YouTube.
We tested the software on a system running Windows XP on 2.3GHz AMD Dual Core Processor with 3GB of RAM and were treated to a fairly smooth experience. (Sony recommends a 1GHz processor with at least 2GB of RAM for HD.) There were some hiccups; notably, transitions didn't play smoothly in preview and in a few instances, our final rendered videos were buggy during playback--one AVI output failed to attach the audio and one MOV suffered from jittery video. However, WMV and MPEG4 final output files played flawlessly, so we recommend saving to one of those formats instead. Videos take quite a bit of time to fully render, but that's just the nature of the beast--especially when it comes to high-def.
It's also worth noting that we did some side-by-side testing against iMovie running on a Macbook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. This is a matter of personal preference, but we found the language in Sony Vegas to be generally more straightforward than that of iMovie, and adding audio clips was a more transparent process as well. However, iMovie makes easier work of exporting and offers more hand-holding in terms of creating seamless projects.
Publisher's Description
From Sony Creative Software:
Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum software has everything needed to produce spectacular HD movies. Edit video in nearly any format including HDV and AVCHD. Powerful features for video compositing, color correction, and soundtrack creation help you get feature-film results in your home studio. Use the surround sound mixing tools to create 5.1 soundtracks. Choose from hundreds of professional 2D and 3D video effects, titles, and filters. Upload movies to YouTube, burn to Blu-ray Disc, or author DVDs using beautifully designed themes or your own custom menus and graphics.
What's new in this version: Version 10.0 has image stabilization for video clips and Audio-waveform drawing during recording has been improved.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 43 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 11 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Bad download experience"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
none because of a seriously corrupted download
Cons
I downloaded this software and the download was so corrupted I had to do a restore to get out of the fix. I have downloaded from cnet before but now I am extremely nervous to try anything else.
Summary
star rating minus 5!
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"Best Editing Software EVER!!"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
Best at effects, I've used FCP before and this is soooooo much better for that. You can do just about anything on it! It gives you the pieces, and you can put together just about anything from that!
Cons
It doesn't really have templates that are all put together like FCP, but if you know what your doing that's not a problem.
Summary
It is AMAZING for effect videos or every day videos! It also has a button that says "how to" and it tells how to do the basics. It's pretty powerful stuff! The good and bad thing about it is it gives you basic pieces, and you have to put them together. That means you can make soo much more than FCP, but it takes longer. Overall, If you want an editing software that you can do effects with, of you like to put together your own stuff, Vegas is your best bet, but if you wanna do simple stuff, stick with WMM.
If you need help learning how to use the effects, I do tutorials. My youtube is EnglishBarrelRacer. -
"The Sony Vegas softwares are the best!!!"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
POWERFUL, EASY TO USE!!
I like the option of having as many tracks of audio and video has you want
One of the greatest feature is the ease of managing the program
Capability of editing and storing a WIDE range of formats and resolutionsCons
Just a few effects, transitions, etc. to enhance the video!
The lack of a professional audio enhancing
Just like two or three different types of text styles ( I would like to see a specialized option for that)Summary
A like the program really much. I am a geek, I've always interested myself for technology. I had a great experience editing my first video; just awesome!
I am a student, therefore I cannot afford paying the Pro, neither the Platinum. It would be nice to have a DRASTICALLY lower price for student that need this kind of software. Much better I would l prefer to be sponsored by Sony to use the products. I love the way you "flow" while editing videos in this wonderful software. -
"Great Program!"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
Transitions, effects, coloring and so much more!
Cons
It has a tendency to freeze.
Summary
Bottom line is that is one of the best video editors out there. It's not hard once you get use to it and then you're a pro at editing.
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"Just too darn complicated."
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
Got every editing tool you want.
Cons
I just wanted to do split screen and couldn't figure out how...too complicated.
Summary
Try it but I wouldn't buy it.
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"Not good with multiple video clips."
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
Lots of features and controls (transitions, video effects, audio effects, pan and zoom controls)
Audio and video effects are amazingly comprehensive
3rd party plugins can be used to further expand the possibilitiesCons
Not nearly as stable as Window Live Movie Maker, though more powerfull.
Can not handle more than ~20 HD clips before it runs into memory issues.
Very buggy when this number of clisp or greater is on the timeline. Crashes very frequently.Summary
This software is the equivalent of an Italian sports car. It is very powerful in its abilities, but leaves you terribly frustrated since it's always broken. I have 8gigs of memory and have tried for weeks to make the software work for editing together a lot of short HD video of family events. I like to switch between shots every 5 to 10 seconds in the videos to keep things interesting for the viewer. Vegas can not handle this. It continually crashes during the render events once more than about 20 clips have been added. For me this equates to about 1.5 to 2 minutes of final video which is less than a quarter of what I'm trying to edit.
Technical support will leave you equally as frustrated. The word memory does not score a hit in the built-in help files. I've tried all of the recommendations placed on-line with their FAQ. From here you must buy more services from Sony. $30 for a single call, $100 for 60 days of calls, or $150 for 180 days support. Why would I pay more for something that has not worked from day one? Why does 180 days support cost more than the software itself? I think I know why, but in the end techincal support is just plain horrible and not really an option for the average user. I'd really like my money back but I can not get customer service to respond to my emails. Go figure since the emails are free. The lights are on, but no body's home.
Windows Live Movie Maker on the same computer has been remarkably stable. I've created 18 mintue HD videos using the same size and quantity of clips I'm using in Vegas. Lots of transitions and video effects. I doubt it crashed even a single time. What it did not do so well was sync the underlying MP3 music track with the video files. When previewing during editing, the music would play back several seconds from where it would be if the video were started from the beginning of the song instead of from the middle. That makes timing transitions with the music nearly impossible when you rewind to repeat a section you've built. At least I could finish the project in the end. FWIW, WLMM was able to keep things synced if still pictures were used instead of video. That was very stable and reliable.
Neither software is perfect but I'd have to give the nod to Window Live Movie Maker. Vegas is generally unusable with the consistent and frequent crashes. WLMM cames bundled with Windows 7 so its essentially free. Vegas costs $100+, does not work, and asks for more money to help you with their broken product. It doesn't get more lame than that. -
"what you would expect"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
very thorough, exactly what you would epect from SONY . i have used many video editors , and i find no WOW factor anywhere, but topnotch editing, and compositing tools that gives you what others lack fluidity,reliabilty and flexibilty.
Cons
too bad i cant afford the full version.
Summary
Sony Vegas platinum 10.0 is a solid professional grade work surface.i wish Sony would realise that if they made the platform itself accessable free, with paid addons people could use it to develop their skills , and use it to make the money to pay more for added usability.instead it seems they lack the confidence i have in their product .although i can only use it for a month (and that stings) i will stay with a competing product because i can afford it. and can get more usabilty from the competing product with small affordable investments here, and there.
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"Can't handle high definition"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
Professional look and feel
Cons
cannot handle high definition - preview cannot keep up not matter what setting is used (Preview, Draft, ETC.) - PREVIEW gets way out of sync with audio. Synced video and audio file is out of sync when loaded into timeline.
Summary
just can't handle HD. I am reviewing it as a possible replacement for Pinnacle Studio 14 HD. The first thing I tried was HD. I brought in a 1 hour HD file and Vegas couldn't handle it - Pinnacle could. I plan to try other features. I wrote this review because it is so hard to find video software that works as advertised. My PC is a quad with 4gb memory and 2 fast hard drives - so that's not the problem. I am using trial version of Vegas Movie Studio which is advertised as full featured. It gets an F in HD.
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"been using it for several years"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
has more features than most people would ever need. has an excellent "help" forum. new blue effects are a nice feature. easy to create just about anything a novice could want in a home movie.
Cons
it does have a learning factor involved. read the help and tutorials. registering the product with sony can be a nightmare.
Summary
if you like to make video's or want home movies with a good production this is the program to buy. watch for sales, newegg just had this for $80 but it's well worth the $95 asking price.
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"1234567890"
Version: Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 10.0
Pros
11234567890
Cons
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