[Tom Burgess]

[John Rofrano] OK, so now that I told you it was easy I probably made your head spin with all off the choices. LOL…

Ha! I just read your post and yeah, my head is spinning, but in the right direction.

Later today I should have time to really study every sentence. At first glance I’m pleasantly surprised at the price of some of the Mac options you mention. I know NOTHING about Macintosh computers, so your combined posts amount to a much appreciated “short course” on the subject.

I’ll write more later. THANKS.

[Tom Burgess]

JOHN ROFRANO STRIKES AGAIN!

Man, you dedicated a LOT of time and hard-won expertise to answering my question. As always I truly appreciate it, and AS ALWAYS, your advice is DEAD ON. Every point you make is a gem, and brother, the next computer I own will be a Mac.

I do not enjoy, and have NEVER ENJOYED the gut-wrenching process of choosing components, assembling them and then the inevitable (seemingly endless) troubleshooting that has accompanied every PC I have built for myself. Trying to keep my head above water in terms of I.T. is a terrible use of my time and talents. Like you, I see these machines purely as tools, and my only interest in them is how they assist me in creative endeavor.

As stated earlier, I have no budget for a Mac at this time, but the details regarding your older Macs and your purchase of a used Mac are very encouraging. I would never consider buying a used PC, but thanks to your extremely helpful account, I will begin learning which used Mac model(s) would best serve my interests – and will then “launch the hunt” for a good used Macintosh.

IF you’d care to make an off-the-cuff recommendation (no research!) with regard to which Mac might suit my work and my budget, here’s what I do:

1. Multi-track audio recording: original songs
2. Painter/artist using traditional methods and materials
3. Digital graphics
4. Video production and editing
5. Photography: reference material for paintings
6. Photography: for print reproduction of finished paintings
7. Web design

At present I run an AMD 6-core processor with 16GB of RAM, so I guess a Mac along those lines would work.

I think most of my core AV software is both Windows and Mac compatible. It’ll take me a while to figure out how to make the switch to Mac, and my current PC is good for the foreseeable future. So spending $149 on Magix VEGAS Pro 15 Edit and investing in its learning curve probably still makes sense.

Thanks, John. Your advice is CONSISTENTLY OUTSTANDING, and that’s why I describe it as a much appreciated safety net.

[Tom Burgess]

Thanks Nigel and Steve for your posts. Sorry for the slow reply; I must have failed to turn on the email notifications.

[Nigel O’Neill] Yes, and it has for me since version 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and now 15. The only time it doesn’t is when I have 2 instances of Vegas open and the first instance has control of the secondary screen. What is your hardware set up?

Hmmm. It worked for you in Version 9. Steve suggests it might be a setting overlooked, but after lots of looking I still have no idea what setting that would be.

I never have two instances of Vegas open, so on to your question about hardware. The only unusual component is my display adapter. This computer is for audio recording/editing primarily , so everything is built around the “Silent PC” concept. The display adapter is an ASUS GT430 Direct CU Silent, which is fanless.

My primary display monitor is connected to the HDMI port, and the secondary monitor to the DVI port (or perhaps vice versa).

OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
CPU: AMD 6-core from several years ago
Mobo: Gigabyte 990XA-UD3
16GB RAM
DIsplay Adapter: ASUS GT430 Direct CU Silent

[Tom Burgess]

PREFACE: Pardon my general lack of information, and lack of “historical sequence” regarding development of video related software and hardware.

1. I find no information regarding VEGAS Pro for Mac. Is there any indication of plans in the works? I don’t like switching/learning new software. I’m sure VEGAS Pro will always be two steps ahead of whatever I want to do, and VEGAS methods make sense to me. I’d like to stick with it regardless of hardware/OS.

2. I read up on the Hackintosh concept, and per your remarks above, John, the prospect is more trouble than it’s worth. Apple’s business model has always involved keeping a lock on EVERYTHING, so no one can operate (for long) outside restrictions that amount to an iron-fisted monopoly (if you ask me). It makes sense from a business standpoint, but is anathema to me. I’m deeply DIY and a big proponent of independent thinking.

Microsoft WIndows is problematic and arcane, but it gives people like me opportunities to make independent choices (to a point) about hardware and software that Mac users simply don’t enjoy. It also lowers the cost considerably. Of course, the simplicity of using the Mac (as you describe) offsets most of that…IF you can afford the machine. And the next machine.

Time, trouble and effort vs. Cash.
The eternal trade-off.

[Tom Burgess]

Wish I could EDIT my previous posts here…

I just learned the term “Hackintosh” on Google and found some interesting online resources (can’t seem to post links here though).

So it looks as though there IS hope for “people like me.” =D

[Tom Burgess]

[John Rofrano] “Moving to the Mac is the best decision I ever made. I will never go back to use a PC again. I went from becoming a system administrator having to know intimate details of how Windows and the hardware works to becoming just and end user enjoying that things “just work”

Yer killin’ me. =] On the other hand, that’s very good to know. I work a lot on a laptop now, but always build my own PC desktops for AV work. I don’t suppose people build their own Macs…or do they? In any event, I take your point regarding the “bliss” of no longer having your head jammed into Microsoft and all its complications. If I get the chance ($) I’ll research what it would take for me to follow you into Nirvana there. Maybe I’ll make the switch when I can no longer use Win7.

Tom

[Tom Burgess]

[John Rofrano] “Sorry but I can’t answer that one because I don’t use Vegas Pro anymore and have never used Vegas Pro 15. I moved to the Mac several years ago for other reasons and I’m using Final Cut Pro X now.”

Oh, no! What a loss. Now I know what it is to be one of The Flying Wallendas – working without a net. HA!

I’ve been reading your replies in old CreativeCow threads pertaining to Sony VEGAS Pro 9. Those have been a big help to me on many occasions, and they continue to be.

There doesn’t appear to be a Mac in my immediate future, so I’ll have to rely (impose?) upon the other fine CreativeCow moderators and members. Thanks again, John.

[Tom Burgess]

John Rofrano! For years a truly reliable and much appreciated source of information on Sony and former-Sony creative software. My questions are typically “mundane” because I’m not a “power user” of Sony applications – Acid Pro (before PreSonus StudioOne), Sound Forge and Vegas Pro. I figure out how to do what needs to get done by the seat of my pants, and when I get stuck it’s always JOHN ROFRANO bailing me out! HA!

Thank you, John, as always.

If I may impose on you once again, I have another question in this forum that has gone unanswered so far. (I tried to post a link, but it results in a 404 Error page). The thread title is “Does v15 Preview window work fully on SECOND display monitor?”

In a nutshell: I have two display monitors. The Vegas timeline is on the primary monitor. All other windows are on the Secondary monitor, including the Preview window. In that configuration the Preview window displays only a static image. If I make the Preview window full screen it displays motion video correctly. If I move the Preview window to the primary display monitor it displays the video correctly.

I want to know if I will suffer this same limitation/glitch when I upgrade to Magix VEGAS Pro 15 Edit.

FWIW, both display monitors are attached to a single video card: Primary monitor attached to the HDMI out and Secondary monitor attached to the SVGA out.

Windows7 Pro 64-bit, AMD 6-core CPU, 16GB RAM, basic video card (nuthin’ fancy)

[Tom Burgess]

Hadn’t really thought about whether DVD Architect is standalone, and I don’t remember the last time I burned a DVD. If you’re saying you use the same version I have as standalone software in conjuction with the Magix v15, then there’s no problem.

DVD Architect is one of the listed advantages to purchasing the 2nd level of VEGAS Pro 15, and I’m looking for reasons not to go to that expense.

Thanks for your informative and helpful reply. I think I can probably make do with the basic-level Edit version.

[Tom Burgess]

John ==

Thanks a LOT for focusing my thinking on this. I’ve had Vegas 9 for quite some time, but mostly it’s just been taking up space on my System drive (duh).

The triple image below is my understanding of your instructions as they pertain to Photoshop. Please correct me if I’m wrong. And I’ll be sure to study the Pan/Crop Mask Tool in Vegas Pro 9 as you mentioned.

Per your excellent instructions, I now have a direction for how to approach this. Once I get my feet wet, something else may occur to me (it usually does…after I’m about 90% finished, ha!) but you’ve given me an excellent starting point.

BEAT MAPPING
Several years ago you showed me EXACTLY how to adjust Sony Acid Pro tempo, measure-by-measure, to match existing .wav file content that was not recorded to a click track. I was stunned: a) that such a thing could be done at all, and b) that you were so amazingly generous with your time and expertise.

Well here we are again, and I have the same reaction, TIMES TWO!
Yer a buh-luddy genius and a much appreciated Source (capital ‘S’).

Thank you,
Tom