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Post by Candive on Mar 16, 2024 5:15:50 GMT
Hi Candive I just remembered a couple of points about things that you have said. One is that VPX can be configured to look like Movie Studio, yes, it's documented and under Window, Window Arrangement, Minimum. This just sets the 3 windows default like Movie Studio. But the windows are movable and you can turn on the other windows - source monitor, project temp folder - under Window. However, all of the functionality of VPX is still there. So yes, they are the same program and one could say that VPX includes everything whereas MMS just has things turned off or inaccessible. Magix could probably easily sell MMS as the main program with VPX as just an activation code that unlocks VPX features, much like Music Maker with its Premium Edition. They should scrap the basic version and Video Easy. You mentioned on the Vegas forum about many video editing programs having video and audio combined on one track, as they are by default in MMS and VPX. I presume that in MMS/VPX you know that having them on separate tracks is just a checkbox in the Program Settings, or a shortcut. I think that many users don't know this. Hi JohnInCanada Welcome to the forum! Since the original post is an open discussion about the future of Magix, I have no issue in discussing Magix's products. Plus Alludo abandoned users by closing the official forums so I don't feel any obligation towards Alludo. But I will thank Bob Keen again for having the foresight to create this forum. If Magix closes their user forums, the users can just follow Bob Keen 's lead. All video editors have different features and methodologies to do essentially the same thing. There are personal preferences which build loyalty to a particular brand which is great because this enthusiasm translates into volunteers helping others learn and understand the program. I, for one, appreciate those who use their free time providing advice, publishing manuals and making video tutorials. It makes my learning experience easier and for that I am very grateful and hopefully I can give back a little as a gesture of appreciation. We are all here to help each other. JohnInCanada , thank you for confirming that MMS is essentially a cut down version of VPX. Your idea of just using an activation code to unlock VPX features is a good one and efficient because the user wouldn't need to uninstall and reinstall the program. Magix should have thought of this common sense idea and in light of the current situation may now be considering it. As for audio placed on a separate track when a video clip is loaded onto the timeline, I didn't know there was a checkbox in settings to separate the audio from video. It now makes sense because I was watching some tutorial videos and noticed that in some cases the audio was combined on the timeline and in others; separate. I wondered if this was an evolution of the editor or strategy to bring it in line with Vegas Pro. Now I know its just a option setting. Thanks for the tip. While its true that Alludo and Magix products will continue to work under the current operating environment, in our case, there is no harm in looking at other products particularly when Alludo decided to shut down our user forums. That was a big red flag in my books. Magix has yet to make a similar announcement which gives its user base some hope. When Alludo made the announcement, I thought who could potentially buy the Corel products? I immediately thought Magix would be a good owner because the company is focused on video, photo and audio applications. Corel, on the other hand, had diversified its product range. Unfortunately my idea was squashed when Magix went into self administration. Hypothetically, If Magix had the money, not only would they be buying the software but also an established long term user base revenue stream. Paintshop Pro would have been a very good fit in Magix's photo product offering. Aftershot Pro would have probably tagged along for free. Magix would essentially end up with 4 video editors. Magix really has two; Vegas Pro and Movie Studio (VPX) and would absorb Videostudio and Pinnacle. In my opinion, Vegas Pro is a stand alone product since it is quite different to the other three. I immediately see synergies between Videostudio and Movie Studio which would end in a single product with combined features. I'm not sure about Pinnacle and VPX. Again, if Magix created a checkbox in settings to flip the timeline there may be an argument that these are very much alike. JohnInCanada , I'm not suggesting this methodology is superior to the top down approach. I learned to edit top down with Videostudio and continue to do so with this program but my personal preference is to have overlays on top of the main track. Its just a personal preference as to how I like to look at the timeline; overlays on top and sound and music below. While Pinnacle and Videostudio are quite different they do share some common modules. How much would it take to combine Pinnacle and VPX into one product? I don't know. I'm just not that familiar with VPX to make that call. Maybe they are too distinct. h.j.wolters has used VPX and Pinnacle. His wonderful castle video was made using VPX, so he may be able to shed some light on this question. Also jeffjn who has written/updated Pinnacle Studio manuals, wrote a manual for Movie Edit 15, so he may have an opinion on similarities and differences between these two products. Of course this is all hypothetical but we really don't know what is going to happen over the next year or two so its interesting to speculate. Maybe there is another potential buyer out there which I haven't considered. Interested in other members thoughts....
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Post by h.j.wolters on Mar 16, 2024 7:14:43 GMT
Hi. At the moment all I can say is: Magix puts his cards on the table, Alludo remains silent. Magix exudes a spirit of optimism, Alludo is keeping a low profile. What will ultimately be decided - I have no idea.
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Post by tonyp on Mar 16, 2024 14:05:00 GMT
With competition for our money everywhere, it didn't surprise me that Alludo would "trim the fat" so to speak. I don't know how much "fat" was left to trim, but the way it was done, it was sort of brutal. To the users of the software (when was the last time After Shot was updated?), to the lack of patches for their products going forward. h.j.wolters , remember how many different programming teams PS went through, finally settling in the Far East? And it seemed that as soon as one programming team was able to get a handle on the software (I remember the Ukrainian programmers), then they would move the work to another team. Right now over at Magix, Vegas Pro is the "focus" project. Why, I have no idea. I don't know what the sales of Magix editing software is. Maybe it's Vegas "today", and MMS/VPX tomorrow? I don't know. I just hope that they do remain, and keep the competitiveness alive in video editing.
Candive , when Pinnacle was up for sale, someone in the old forum even suggested M$ to buy it. It certainly wouldn't have been a strain on it's financial resources, and they could have included it with M$. Where is Elon when you need him!
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Post by Bob Keen on Mar 16, 2024 14:58:24 GMT
I assume that Vegas Pro originated as a Sony product. I Owned Sony Vegas Pro Many years ago and did not like it.
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Post by tonyp on Mar 16, 2024 15:39:40 GMT
Bob Keen, you are spot on. It was Sony Vegas for a long time. It started as Sonic Foundry in 1999. Music editing. Then slowly the video side appeared. From VP1-13, it was all Sony. Then Magix bought it with VP14 onward. In my video software adventures, I'd look at different software to see what they offered over what I was already using. When I first saw the Sony Vegas interface, I thought it was butt ugly and confusing as anything can be. So, over the years, I totally ignored the software. Then one day, there was a Humble Bundle Vegas Pro 14 Edit with Vegas Movie Studio and some other "stuff" for $25. I've wasted more money than that on coffee, so took the plunge to see what it was all about. After 2 weeks of usage, and being amazed how fast I could edit on the timeline, I upgraded to VP15 Suite which included some Boris FX plugins. Then I upgraded to 16 Suite, 17 Suite, and then decided to buy Boris FX Continuum Complete at some absurdly low price. Right now, using VP21 Post 365 subscription. Right now, everything going on as to the future of Magix is speculation. I do know that Vegas Pro is now their "focus" product, for whatever reason. The consumer editing pie is shrinking. Free software everywhere. Cellphone editing software. It's just tough. Event/corporate/indie video editing software seems to be leaning towards Davinci Resolve. The free version is extremely capable. The Studio version offers more than the free one, and it's "pay one price... forever". They are putting their sights on Premiere. A lot has changed since the Sony days. And for the better. When there is a Humble Bundle/Fanatical offer for like $25, you might be pleasantly surprised.... or not.
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Post by Candive on Mar 17, 2024 2:14:46 GMT
Hi. At the moment all I can say is: Magix puts his cards on the table, Alludo remains silent. Magix exudes a spirit of optimism, Alludo is keeping a low profile. What will ultimately be decided - I have no idea.
Hansi, I agree with you. I don't think Alludo's silence is doing it any favours with its user base - its the wrong strategy. As for Magix, maybe it learned a lesson from its deceptive Vegas Movie Studio to Magix Movie Studio bait and switch tactic which angered a lot of loyal users. Honesty is always the best policy. And Alludo's silence will only benefit Magix's openness. Magix users understand the situation and I suspect they will support the company as they try to resolve this financial crisis. So I have more hope/faith in Magix due to their transparency. While Pinnacle users continue to use the program - one thing we have to be cognisant of is the possibility Alludo may turn off the servers that validate the licenses. That will be the nail in the coffin since users will not be able to reinstall the software if they have issues or transfer it to a new computer. I hope that day doesn't come.
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Post by Bob Keen on Mar 17, 2024 7:11:38 GMT
With regard to your final paragraph, that is one of the reasons that I have always purchased the disc version of the program. I appreciate that this was not an option with PS26 and that was also one of the reasons that I did not purchase it. At least if you have a disc you can get something, although any updates would, of course be missing.
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Post by tonyp on Mar 17, 2024 19:09:09 GMT
Bob Keen , it was my understanding that the disk version was not the full product, but the initial installation file that you get if you download the software. saby or jeffjn would have to give you a definitive answer. Germany has different laws than Canada. Restructuring happens all the time. Especially when sales goes down. Right now, I give Magix a year or so to sort things out. Then we will see where the "chips" fall.
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Post by Bob Keen on Mar 17, 2024 20:11:39 GMT
If that is the case Tony then I cannot understand why they offered it on a disc. I don't doubt that what you are saying is correct, it just seems an odd thing to do.
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Post by tonyp on Mar 17, 2024 20:16:44 GMT
I have no idea. But again, one of the other moderators can either confirm or deny this. One way to find out is to see how much of the disc is used.
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Post by saby on Mar 17, 2024 20:53:42 GMT
You are both right.
Customers who purchased the physical version of Studio got a DVD with the full installation files. Customers who purchased the download version of Studio but paid the extra option of a backup DVD got simply the stub file. The very same .exe file that can be downloaded on their website.
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Post by Bob Keen on Mar 17, 2024 21:31:37 GMT
Thank you Yann for that clarification.
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Post by tonyp on Mar 18, 2024 14:47:51 GMT
Thanks saby for the clarification. I vaguely remembered something like that... buying the extra backup DVD being only the stub file. Sort of misleading. I would think I would get the full installation files.
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Post by saby on Mar 18, 2024 15:37:34 GMT
buying the extra backup DVD being only the stub file. Sort of misleading. Mainly, sort of good deal for Corel since it was a $10, €10 extra cost for the customer.
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Post by Bob Keen on Mar 18, 2024 16:06:49 GMT
buying the extra backup DVD being only the stub file. Sort of misleading. Mainly, sort of good deal for Corel since it was a $10, €10 extra cost for the customer. And I only paid £10 for the disc version.
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