Sony Creative Software scores with Vegas Pro 9

By Tim Bullard

If you really want to go high-definition in video and audio creation, you should try Vegas Pro 9 from Sony.

The software puts two applications together, and there is now Blu-ray Disc support. There are a lot of new changes, convenient additions for the user in both interface and expansion.

One of the new offerings is 4K Support, for frame sizes up to 4096x4096. Sony reports that the normal standard 4K image ifor digital cinema projection is 4096x2160 pixels. Vegas Pro 9 supports RED ONE files now, .r3d. Of course the RED ONE system was created in 2006.

There is multi-track video editing on unlimited tracks now. Another new feature is the more than 190 video effects that you can customize for lighting effects. Try Glint, Defocus, Starburst, Rays, Fill Light or Soft Contrast now.

You can edit multicamera productions by picking shots as you watch your project, Sony reports, using up to 32 video sources.

Enhancement has come to 32-bit floating point video processing. You can work in any aspect ratio and edit on 23.976, 24, 25, 29.87 or 30 fps timelines.

There's a Pro Type Titler so you can really get creative with text effects for TrueType and OpenType fonts.

There is digital signage support and color correction, plus matching tools and a 3-Wheel Primary and Secondary Color Correction. There are four scopes iin edits, Vectorscope, Waveform, Parade and Histogram. You can look at levels in real time and you can locate illegal chroma and luma levels.

High-performance native HDV M2T playback is supported and 601/709 color space handling. There is SD downconversion and frame-rate conversion including 24p.

You'll find support for AJA Xena cards to use serial digital interface (SDI). With 175 2D and 3D real time transitions, you'll vind Barndoor, Clock Wipe, Dissolves, Iris, Linear Wipes, Page Peels, Venetian Blinds, Zooms, 3D Fly-in/Out, 3D Shuffle and more. Take out Red-Eye - use the multiprocessor support for power and use the progress envelopes.

There is 3D track motion so you can control Z-depth, plane intersection, compositing and more. Enhancement has come to video monitoring too. Bezier masks can be keyframed now for complex projects.

You can subtitle time and text export to DVD Architect Pro. There is MPED-2 support and 24p support. Note there is an update to Vegas Pro 9.0 to 9.0a at 164.9 MB.

Another new component is support for capturing to XDCAM-compatible MSF files from SD/HD-SDI sources. Also there is native XDCAM EX file read support and the ability to browse XDCAM EX files on camera with Device Explorer.

You will love the audio production capabilities which include a great mixing console window and 32 effects plus 26 master and Aux outputs.

There is a multi-threaded audio engine for much faster render times. You can use more than 30 audio effects, customized.

There is VST pluf-in effect support and 5.1 Surround mixing. Also you can use ACID loops and use support for the ASIO driver. There is broadcast wave format support too. For the moviemaker in all of us, there is film-style 5.1 Surround panning plus downmix monitoring and bus-to-bus routing. Vegas Pro 9 supports Gracenote Music ID, that wonderful ability to see information from tracks like song name, artist and title.

In DVD Architect Pro 5 you can set parental controls like G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17. You can also burn a mastered folder.

Another new feature is the darker color palette and added default layouts. You can export to a PSP. Another new feature is support for Gigapixel-sized pictures and the ability to capture to MXF from SD/HD-SDI devices. Also you can now open and edit RED ONE files on the Timeline. There are updated Sony AVC rendering templates.

For technical specifications check:

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegaspro/techspecs

The product was announced in Madison, Wis. Monday, April 20.

"Our Vegas Pro software was the first editing application to provided a comprehensive end-to-end solution for the Sony XDCAM format, including an innovative proxy workflow and extremely fast no-recompress smart render to MXF," said Dave Chaimson, vice-president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software, in a news release.

"Vegas Pro 9 broadens our commitment to the broadcast community by adding workflow enhancements throughout the production chain, including native .mp4 support for Sony XDCAM EX files and real-time baseband SD/HD recording to 50 Mb/s MXF files using industry-standard capture cards. Vegas Pro has always been a great choice for video journalists on the go, thanks to its ability to scale to a wide range of cost-effective mobile computing solutions. Vegas Pro 9 extends this scalability to a new level by offering the option of working in a full 64-bit mode, enabling power users to take advantage of today's multi-core/multi-processor workstations and 64-bit operating systems."

From Sony: (Sony Creative Software inspires artistic expression with its award-winning line of products for digital video, music, DVD, and audio production. Sound Forge, ACID, and Vegas software have defined digital content creation for a generation of creative professionals, amateurs, and enthusiasts. These signature product lines continue to advance the art of providing powerful, accessible tools to unleash the imagination. Today, there is a Sony Creative Software application for every level of expertise, including a full line of consumer software based on the company's professional applications. In addition, Sony Creative Software produces the extensive Sony® Sound Series collection of royalty-free loops and production music, Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series exclusive sound effects, Vision Series video creation assets, as well as www.ACIDplanet.com, the internet's premier site for independent music and video artists. As a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the company also develops applications that enhance the experience for users of Sony hardware devices including the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and Sony Ericsson mobile phones. Sony Creative Software customers span the globe and include seasoned professionals in the film, television, video game, and recording industries, students and educators, hobbyists and enthusiasts, and young children exploring music creation.)

For more information visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com