Phoenix Software has announced the free availability of Vegas Pro 8.0c and Vegas Pro 8.1 non-linear editing (NLE) software application updates. Vegas Pro 8.0c makes the transition from other NLE systems to Vegas Pro easier by enabling the user to customise the trimmer window to operate in an enhanced source/preview mode and provides additional support for new video cameras popular with broadcast users, as well as the new PDW-1500 XDCAM deck. As the first 64-bit editing application offered by a leading software developer, Vegas Pro 8.1 provides users increased editing power and flexibility to work with complex memory-hungry 3D projects and high-definition (HD) content.
“The broadcast production community has been eagerly awaiting an efficient and affordable solution for HD and 3D content,” said Dave Chaimson, Sony Creative Software vice president of global marketing. “These two updates provide our users with comprehensive technological advancements for increasingly complicated and time-sensitive broadcast productions. With the demand for Vegas Pro growing rapidly in the worldwide broadcast market, the combination of a more familiar workflow, coupled with 64-bit support for increased throughput, provides an unrivalled solution not available in any other application.”
Jason Phillips, sales director, Phoenix Software highlights: “Phoenix offers local purchasers of Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 30 minutes of one-on-one free training through an experienced industry trainer. This helps them get to grips quicker with the product and enhances usage. In addition, there is an in-depth training course available for Vegas Pro 8, suitable for professional video editors, students & teachers and aspiring home video editors.”
Price and Availability:
Vegas Pro 8.0c and Vegas Pro 8.1 professional software are now available as free downloadable updates for Vegas Pro 8.0 users from the Sony Creative Software Web site: www.sonycreativesoftware.com. Suggested retail price (SRP) for the Vegas Pro 8.0 software is R6 995. Users for Vegas Pro 5, 6 or 7 can upgrade to Vegas Pro 8. The SRP for the upgrade is SRP R2 995.
Product demos at the Sony Broadcast Roadshow
Vegas Pro 8 will be demonstrated at the Sony Roadshow in Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town during November 2008. Details on how to book can be found on www.phoenixsoftware.co.za.
Vegas Pro 8.0c
The Vegas Pro 8.0c software now features extensive support for the new PDW-1500 XDCAM deck and the newest Sony video camera formats including XDCAM HD 4:2:2. The Vegas Pro software scales intuitively on the user's system, ensuring that it takes full advantage of all hardware capabilities. The new Smart Render feature supports most news acquisition formats, providing the ability for news corporations to get content to air rapidly. Newly enhanced trimmer tools support broadcast editing workflows, while the new fit-to-fill function enables broadcasters to automate cuts to match content to the exact seconds allotted for their story. Vegas Pro 8.0c also now includes 24p support for those working with film frame-rate style content.
Key Vegas Pro 8.0c features
* Enhanced trimmer tools, improved source/preview workflow, fit-to-fill and paste/overwrite editing and video playback functionality
* XDCAM HD 4:2:2 50mb/s support
* XDCAM EX rendering support
* HVR-Z7 24p capture and high-performance editing
* HVR-Z7 CF card import module
* Optimised AVC encoding and decoding
Vegas Pro 8.1
Vegas Pro 8.1 has been engineered to take full advantage of the 64-bit operating system to enable users to work with multifaceted, memory-intensive projects. The Vegas Pro 8.1 64-bit program is a standalone application that does not require users to have Vegas Pro 8.0 preinstalled on their system. However, Vegas Pro 8.1 has been designed with backwards compatibility with the 32-bit Vegas Pro application so users can create a project in one platform and open it in the other. This provides users with the ability to work with a 64-bit version for the performance gains, but also work in the 32-bit system for continued broad hardware and codec support.
Benefits of Vegas Pro 8.1
* Vegas Pro 8.1 has been designed to maximise the capabilities of the 64-bit system, providing:
* Access to large amounts of memory not possible with 32-bit systems
* Scalability for multicore processors
* Faster overall performance and rendering
* Vegas Pro 8.1 provides current users with more memory access which enables
* Working with complex memory-hungry 3D projects
* Working more efficiently with nested Vegas Pro projects
* Running more multiple instances of Vegas Pro software
* More open
* Codecs
* Filters and effects
* Cached frames for Ram previews
* Features both improved rendering times and general performance optimisations
For optimal 64-bit performance, four factors need to align. The PC has to be designed for 64-bit, as does the operating system and the programs that run on it. In addition, supporting partner offerings must also be 64-bit capable. Sony Creative Software was one of the first developers to begin porting for 64-bit computing in direct collaboration with AMD, who developed the 64-bit extensions for the Windows operating system. Extensive testing with various partners, including Microsoft, Dell, Intel and AMD ensures Vegas Pro 8.1 is ready for immediate installation and use in production.
“AMD congratulates Sony Creative Software on being the first major software developer to bring a 64-bit NLE to market with Vegas Pro 8.1,” said Charlie Boswell, director of Digital Media and Entertainment for AMD. “Having worked closely with the Sony Creative team and having personally used Vegas Pro to produce DVD and broadcast content, I can say that 64-bit Vegas Pro 8.1 is a key milestone towards our shared goal of enabling content creators to work at the 'speed of thought', challenged only by the limits of one's own creativity.”
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Sony Creative Software
Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, Blu-ray, and audio production. As a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the company also develops applications that enhance the experience for users of Sony hardware devices. Sony Creative Software customers span the globe and include seasoned professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, as well as students, educators, hobbyists, and enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com.
Vegas is a trademarks or registered trademark of Sony Creative Software Inc. in the US and other countries.
Phoenix Software
Phoenix Software (PS) is a software republishing business. Founded in September 1999, PS supplies a wide range of software products to distribution and retail partners. The company focuses on niche software that is aimed at vertical markets and has an ongoing mission to bring leading-edge products to the marketplace in a timely and professional manner, while offering excellent price/performance ratios. The company's product range includes titles from leading vendors such asAbility Office, Adobe, Aspyr Media, BluBox, BulkSMS, Corel, Cosmi Corporation, Cyber Acoustics, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Exspect, Feral Interactive, Individual Software, InterVideo, Iolo, ISL Light, Lavasoft Ad-Aware, Macware, Nero, Nova, O & O Software, Onspeed, Paragon Software, Parallels, PC Tools, Pinnacle Systems, Prosoft, Punch Software, Reallusion , Roxio, S-A-D GmbH, Smith Micro, Sony Creative Software, SummitSoft, Transparent Language, Ulead, Webroot, WinZip and X-oom
For additional information, please visit www.phoenixsoftware.co.za
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