[Rob Clark]

Stewart,

Thank you for your input and words of warning. Did the problems exist in version 12 too? From what I had read it seemed like Pinnacle 11 or 12 got much better. Maybe much better is still pretty bad compared to other programs!

Do you edit and create DVDs / BluRays with high def footage? If so, what software do you use to create those disks? That is a big reason I’m reluctant to get Vegas. I didn’t want to have to buy two software packages just so I can create AVCHD or BluRay disks with menus. Also, I’m a novie and don’t intent to do complicated. Is Vegas overkill for me? I think a typical project for me will be to:
– add some AVCHD lite content to a project
– trim out the bad / boring footage
– use some basic transitions between clips
– edit the sound track’s volume (the camera holder sounds very loud compared to the subject with my Panasonic ZS3)
– create an AVCHD disk (possibly BluRay) with menus
– sometimes I may output to standard DVDs for parents who don’t have a BluRay player.

I’m not overly creative or fancy.

My current editing software was Adobe Premiere Elements 3, but I need something for high def footage now.

Well thanks again for your help.

Rob

[Rob Clark]

From the info I could find online, it seemed that somewhere around Pinnacle 11 or 12, it got more stable. I don’t know if it is true, but I found several posts where users said they had been working with it for many versions and 8 and 9 were bad, then got better at 11 or 12. I am leary about Pinnacle. I thnk I had one of their packages a long time ago, pre 8, and eventually dumped it to get Premiere Elements. I was happy with Premiere elements 3 for standard definition video on WIndows XP. I did give Premiere Elements 8 another go and it behaved better than my first attempt. I wasn’t aware before about when the background processing was taking place. Also, it I rendered my work area after applying affects, the preview worked fine.

That is good advice about trying a larger project with Pinnacle. I will try and do that before I purchase anything. The little project worked at weeding out the really bad ones fast, but probably didn’t stress the others very much.

I guess my options right now are:
1) Sony Vegas + Nero (so I can author AVCHD DVDs / Blu ray with menus.
2) Adobe Premiere Elements 8 (If I decide to get a blu ray burner since it doesn’t do AVCHD DVDs).
3) Pinnacle Studio 14 – does AVCHD DVDs and Blu Ray.

If I go with option #1, is Nero the best low cost option for just creating the AVCHD DVDs from the Vegas rending?

Thanks

[Rob Clark]

Jerry,

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately the Pro version is not within my budget. I will have to make due with one of the other video editing apps or get the non Pro Vegas and get something like Nero to create my AVCHD DVDs or Blu Rays.

Thanks,
Rob