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Vegas 4: Even Better
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DVD Architect
 | | (Click on graphic for enlargement) Take a look at the user interface of Sonic Foundry's DVD Architect |
The deluxe version of Vegas 4 is called Vegas+DVD (download $699; boxed version $799) and includes the highly capable new Sonic Foundry application called DVD Architect. You get a lot for extra $210. Although it's a separate application, its integration with Vegas is tight. If you set markers in Vegas designating where your chapters begin, when you launch DVD Architect these will be the chapters for your DVD. Placing clips onto your DVD is as easy as dragging your file from the bin onto the screen. From there, it's a simple matter to create an animated thumbnail, place an audio file to loop when the main interface appears on-screen, or place a moving background behind your newly-created picons. You're also able to open a clip within DVD Architect and see or change the location of your chapter markers. Further tight integration between the two programs lets you jump back into Vegas where you're able to see your DVD interface on an TV monitor before burning a DVD. I was impressed with DVD Architect's optimize window, which shows you what's compressed and what isn't, and tells you how much space will be left on the DVD after your compressed clips are placed there. This is an excellent DVD authoring package, especially if you're like me and want to just drag and drop your clips to the interface, and then have all your compression chores done for you automatically. When done, click Make DVD, and it starts compressing your files. After that, it simply burns your DVD and then you're done. Another nice touch is the included Dolby Laboratories certified multichannel AC-3 encoder, which can crunch those audio files down to a tiny size while preserving all their surround-sound glory. I can certainly vouch for DVD Architect: The DVDs we painlessly made with this software looked and sounded magnificent here at the Midwest Test Facility.
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How did I really feel about it?
To sum up, I think Vegas 4 takes a nonlinear editing software package that was already good, and turns it into something that's exceptional. With its excellent new editing tools, its well thought-out design will certainly speed up any editing project. It's no wonder the buzz about Vegas 4 is even more intense than it was for versions 1, 2 and 3. Vegas 4's performance is raised to an even higher level when you throw a lot of processor power at it, something that's getting cheaper as each day goes by. This new version 4 has been optimized for the new "Hyperthreading" that's integrated into our Intel P4 3.06GHz chip we used for testing, and with that kind of horsepower under the hood, Vegas really zips along at a phenomenal rate. Even without all that processor power, though, it's certainly an NLE that every editor should consider for any project, long or short-form. Do yourself -- and your work -- a favor and take a look at the free demo version available on Sonic Foundry's Web site. I highly recommend it.
 Digital Media Net Executive Producer Charlie White has been writing about new media and digital video since it was the laughingstock of the television industry. A technology journalist and columnist for the past nine years, White is also an Emmy-winning producer, video editor, broadcast industry consultant and shot-calling television director who has worked in broadcasting since 1974. Talk back -- Send Chazz a note at cwhite@digitalmedianet.com.
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