Sony Vegas 6c launched without a lot of fanfare,
but the truth is, version 6c could easily be considered a .5 upgrade, even
though Sony doesn't offer .5 upgrades. Vegas 6c is
an update filled with a number of new features, and some fixes for
specific issues experienced by users of older DV equipment. Let's take a
quck look at what's new.
>Import of DVD camcorder MPEGs/AC3 files
After a long awaited feature for Sony Vegas, this appears to be legacy
from Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum, released earlier this summer. This
update allows users that own DVD-camcorders to import the media directly
from the camcorder. This means that Vegas can import a VOB file complete
with AC3 audio to the timeline. No, this doesn't mean that Vegas 6c
is an instant asset for pirates or copyright
violators. If the file has encryption or copy protection applied to it,
the file will not be importable to the Vegas timeline. What this does
mean, is that Vegas users can now import projects that they've perhaps
deleted from their hard drive but have stored on a DVD in MPEG and AC3
format. This also means that users of the consumer-based DVD camcorders
will be able to edit their home movies. Import of MPEG files doesn't mean
non-recompressed files, however. Vegas will still recompress the MPEG
files on render, resulting in some quality loss to the MPEG file for
output.
>XDCAM support!
Another new feature that is necessary for the broadcast industry is the
import of XDCAM full-resolution files. Vegas will directly import the full
resolution files from the camera or BD player. However, the metadata/proxy
files are not included in this import. Vegas will only playback full
resolution files. The main benefit here is that users can immediately
start editing their files from the XD cam; no more capture time as the
files are merely transferred. Transferring files is significantly faster
than realtime, saving literally thousands of
hours over the course of a year.
Simply import the .mxf files from the XDCAM
directly to the Vegas timeline. Any Essence markers inserted at the camera
will show up as standard markers on the Vegas timeline or in the Vegas
Trimmer. Set up the XDCAM or XDCAM deck as a hard drive on your computer,
or transfer the files directly from the deck/camera to existing system
hard drives. You can access an .mxf file here
for testing/experimenting in Vegas.* In
this initial implementation, copy the disc contents to hard drive (this
would be a file copy, not a 1:1 old-style capture, so it's very, very,
fast), go to the Clip folder, add to timeline (or project media list),
edit. Timecode, 16:9/4:3, 24p, and essence markers (shot + user defined)
are all supported. As is always the case in Vegas you can mix and match
framerates and frame sizes, as well as codecs in a single timeline and not
worry about it. Layback to XDCAM disc at this time is using "traditional
means," either as DV or SDI.
>Sony PSP owners, take note!
If you have a Sony PSP device, you can now print directly to the PSP
device from Vegas 6c. You will also want to generate a thumbnail to be
displayed as a representation of the movie.
Park the Vegas Timeline cursor on the frame that you’d like to use as the
representative frame for the movie. Plug in the PSP device via USB cable,
and put the PSP into USB mode. Browse to Tools>Export to PSP®
This will begin the render and export process. Make sure that
you’ve filled out the Summary information in the Project Properties tab
found in Vegas, as this information will be displayed on the PSP device.
You can also render the file to be delivered over the web or other
delivery device, but you’ll need to follow the PSP naming conventions.
Render the file as an mp4 file, naming the file “MAQ0 (insert name here)
.mp4. This file can now be distributed or archived for later access,
without having to transfer to the PSP device. Note that the PSP template
creates an 894kpbs file in compliance with what the PSP looks for.
>MPEG 4, at last
Sony Vegas 6c also now offers users the ability to render directly to MPEG
4/AVC/H.264 file formats. H.264 is the delivery format of choice for high
definition movies, but also may be used for standard definition, and may
be played on most computers, and many set top players. More players will
become available as time marches on; getting familiar with this very
efficient form of compression is a good idea. Some cameras have already
adopted the standard as a shooting medium. Vegas 6c is limited to an 800 x
800 frame size at this time, so it’s predominant value is in delivering SD
streams or streaming media over the web at resolutions of 320 x 240 with a
maximum bitrate of 896
kpbs including audio.
>Other Goodies
What you won’t "see" in Vegas 6 see are the
optimizations for m2t playback. Vegas has been
significantly improved in terms of how it manages the transport streams
and optimizes playback/editing of them. This is good news for HDV camera
owners that don’t want to take the time to convert the m2t files from the
HDV camera into a 4:2:2 format or DV proxy.
Users should immediately notice an increase an agility and speed in the
newest build.
You'll also likely note that a reverse icon has
been added to indicate reversed events. Very useful for those quick
glances at the timeline. In fact, there are several small and large bug
fixes and workflow enhancements that can be
viewed here. This list of updates also includes the latest version of
the CineForm tools for Vegas.
Sony has also addressed the strange file size
issue that existed for some users that were scanning images of various
sized and placing them on the Timeline. Images of similar but not exact
sizes were giving some users issues in the way that Vegas buffered the
files. Additionally, Sony has taken steps to repair print-to-tape
challenges that some users experienced with older decks and cameras.
Additionally, AAF file export/import have been
significantly improved. Be sure that any codecs used in a project can be
read on any machine that an AAF file is transferred to. If codecs aren't
shared from machine to machine, naturally, it will present problems.
Props to Sony for not only implementing the
standard bug fixes in the application, but for giving users a number of
free upgrades when they didn't need to!
- Happy editing,
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