Price and Quality Checks Needed

The old Video Software Help forum, left visible as an archive.
Locked
User avatar
_Shinji_
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:51 pm
Org Profile

Price and Quality Checks Needed

Post by _Shinji_ » Tue Apr 06, 2004 7:39 pm

As I mentioned in an earlier thread, the crashes of Premiere are annoying me so I'm planning on getting a New Program. I was wondering what the prices of these are since I can't afford a program worth hundreds of dollars (I'm only 14!! =p). I was also wondering what the quality of these programs are compared to premiere (ie. crash rate =p).
The reviews seemed good but I wanted a few up to date reviews on these programs. Thanks.

1) Vegas Video 3
2) Vegas Video 4
3) Video Factory v1

User avatar
Zarxrax
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2001 6:37 pm
Contact:
Org Profile

Post by Zarxrax » Tue Apr 06, 2004 7:51 pm

Vegas 3 > no idea
Vegas 4 > about 160 bucks with student discount
Vegas 5 > coming out very soon, knocking down the price of version 4 most likely.

Video factory > no idea

User avatar
Zarxrax
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2001 6:37 pm
Contact:
Org Profile

Post by Zarxrax » Tue Apr 06, 2004 7:54 pm

Oh yea, regarding stability...
I can get vegas 4 to crash by using 3rd party plugins that are buggy to begin with, or by using a buggy video codec like VBLE. Doing normal stuff It's never crashed on me.

Don't forget to check out demos of the programs before you purchase. No need wasting money on a program only later to find that it isnt right for you.

TaranT
Joined: Wed May 16, 2001 11:20 pm
Org Profile

Post by TaranT » Wed Apr 07, 2004 2:04 am

You can browse for software titles at this thread:
http://www.animemusicvideos.org/phpBB/v ... hp?t=14257

Vegas 3 is no longer sold, so there's not much point in looking for it. Unless you can get a used copy. I've used version 2 and version 4; both were (are) excellent. So, I'd expect version 3 to be as good.

As an editing tool, Vegas 4 is essentially the same as Premiere. There are minor things where one is better then the other, but not many. Those of us who use Vegas find it easier (and faster) to use, but again, that can depend on one's background.

As for stability, I've used Vegas for several hundred hours without it crashing, except - as Zarxrax pointed out - when I use a 3rd party plugin. And even then, a shutdown is very rare.

********

VideoFactory 1 is what I started making AMVs with. I still think it's a great program for beginners, but it's not sold under that name anymore. Sony bought the software (they also bought Vegas from the same company, Sonic Foundry) and re-packaged it as Screenblast Movie Studio. It retails for $100, but I've seen it as low as $60.

Screenblast is what I call "Vegas lite". It's the same as Vegas, but with limited features. The most important of these is that you only get three video tracks to edit with instead of the unlimited number that Vegas provides. The user interface is exactly the same as Vegas and makes moving up to the more complete program a whole lot easier. I figure Screenblast gives you 75%-80% of the capability of Vegas for much less cost.

The reviews of VideoFactory that are on this site's Software page are good enough for Screenblast. They won't cover some of the new features like DVD authoring.

If you want to know more, check out Sony's software site. They have comparison charts and 30-day trial versions.

Locked

Return to “Video Software Help Archive”