HD Project: Sony Vegas or Final Cut Pro? Why?

[Shane Ross]

I wish I knew Vegas at all. Without knowing how that NLE operates, it’s very difficult to say what FCP does better.

For a 6 stream HD multicam setup, you will need not only the computer, but a very fast RAID array. Talking 8-12 drive RAID 5 capable of 300-500MB/s. MaxxDigital EVO HD line, Caldigit HD ONE. And these will run you MORE than your computer and software and monitors combined. But if you want smooth multiple camera HD editing…a RAID is a must.

But a big question is…what format of HD? There are 2 dozen or so. ProRes, a FCP proprietary format, would be ideal.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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[Alan Okey]

[Russell Robertson] “Of course there are the well known issues; they are completely different operating systems, MAC being much more expensive than PC to buy/operate,”

That’s a complete myth. If you spec a similarly configured dual Xeon PC from a reputable manufacturer, it will be very close to the price of a Mac Pro. The main difference between Windows PC hardware offerings and Macs is that there’s a hole in the midrange of Apple’s hardware lineup. There’s the iMac, a consumer machine, then there’s the Mac Pro, a high-end professional tower. There’s nothing in between.

As for the cost of operation, it’s actually the reverse of what you surmise. Software prices are the same for applications available on both platforms, i.e. Adobe Creative Suite. The cost of OS X is about half the price of professional versions of Windows. It’s arguable that the TCO of a Mac is lower when the cost of system administration and antivirus/security software is taken into account.

I’m not a Mac zealot, and I’ve used all different platforms at one time or another – SGI, Linux, Windows, Macintosh. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Your preconceptions about the Mac are simply incorrect. Where the Mac does have weakness is in 3D graphics driver support and hardware options. If you were a 3D modeler/animator, there’s no question that Windows is a much better platform choice at present.

As for Vegas vs. FCP, I don’t know Vegas well enough to provide the direct A/B comparison you’re looking for. However, my advice to you would be to not focus on tools or become a platform warrior. Tools change quickly, but skillsets remain relevant for a much longer period of time. Every application, like every platform, has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s possible to do professional level work with practically any application if you have the skills and talent to do so.

I can’t imagine FCP being so much different from Vegas that you couldn’t make a fairly smooth transition of that’s what’s called for. Plenty of editors use both Avid and FCP without major issues, so it’s not an impossible task.

FCP has a proven workflow with HD multicam work, as does Avid. I can’t speak to the capabilities of Vegas, but I presume you’ve cross-posted to the Vegas forum as well so hopefully someone with experience in that realm will be able to answer your questions.

Good luck.

[Stace Carter]

I’m with Shane, don’t know ‘nuthin about Vegas, so you’d probably be better off asking in the Vegas forum if you can build a system that will handle that many streams of HD in multicam mode (if indeed Vegas has a multicam tool?)

Ultimately this is a question of your comfort level and workflow planning. FCP is not a simple tool to master, but it is not overly complicated if you have a solid foundation in video and NLEs. One advantage I’d see (which may be replicable in Vegas) is the ability to perform your edit with ProRes Proxy media, and then being able to conform the finished edit using uncompressed media. This will allow you to work quickly with a minimum of strain on the CPU or drives and save a lot of the headache you can run in to with high-bitrate data like HD.

Another reason you may be getting pushed by your production partners into the FCP arena is the proliferation of systems and interoperability with major post houses.

Cheers,
Stace

Apple Certified Trainer

[Chris Borjis]

Hi Russell,

What everyone mentioned so far is good sound advice.

I “CAN” relate to the question of Vegas vs FCP as I’ve used both.
Vegas for my own personal stuff at home and FCP for my pro work at
the post house.

Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but from a production
standpoint, FCP wins. It inter-operates better than Vegas in
a number of ways, such as EDL, OMF and over all post industry wide support.

Vegas is a great program and for example, it resizes any size of graphic
WAY better than FCP does in its current state, but for a post work flow
for something like a TV pilot, I would definitely stick to FCP work flows.

thats my opinion.

[Shawn Bann]

Last time i used Vegas was several years ago so some of these may have changed

Sony Vegas
+ handles mixed formats well
+ audio features such as “master” track filters. you can throw a EQ on A1 effects everything in that ch.
– no OMF support
– no EDL support

I cut a documentary in Vegas which i recut in FCP when i made the switch over.
Not sure if it was voodoo, but the FCP cut just looked “cleaner”

Personally I enjoy FCP over Vegas.

Shawn

https://www.ShawnBann.com

[Russell Robertson]

Everyone,

I greatly appreciate everyone’s feedback, comments & suggestions. Thanks you so much for your time and consideration.

FYI: I’ve been active on the Sony Vegas forum for years, and did in fact submit the same post soliciting comments. My virtual friends there have been great, but no true compelling argument could be made to stay. Bottom line: It needs to be a business decision.

While I remain loyal to Vegas and all those on the forum who have been so incredibly supportive over the years, I believe my decision is made: I’m diving head first into the FCP world! It’s been a wrenching process, but it’s time.

Sincerely, thank you all again – looking forward to becoming a FCP member and contributing to your forum.

RR

[Chris Borjis]

thats a sound decision Russell.

Some day I hope Vegas is updated to handle .omf and .edl properly
it really should have it. I forgot its a great nle for
beginner editors they seem to take to it like a duck to water.

[Shawn Bann]

This is from Sony’s website-

Question
How can I use OMF files that were made with AVID within Vegas?

Answer
Vegas does not support OMF, but Vegas 6.0 (and newer) now supports AAF (“Advanced Authoring Format”) which is a new format that builds substantially upon OMF. With that being said, use the AAF format rather than OMF for Vegas.

[Archie Cruz]

Shane. Why RAID 5 and not RAID 6? Is the likelihood of a two drive failure that rare?

[Shane Ross]

[Archie Cruz] “Why RAID 5 and not RAID 6”

Cost. You need at least 12 drives for this. And two of them are unsuable as they are backup…so… But, if you can afford it…by all means.

[Archie Cruz] “Is the likelihood of a two drive failure that rare?”

Pretty rare. Only happened twice to me in 10 years. When dealing with Raids. I have had single drives die often. But in a RAID situation…twice. Once there was RAID 6, and the other time…not.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def