Sony Updates to Vegas Movie Studio 8 and Vegas 8 Platinum Edition

July 9, 2007 – Today, Sony Creative Software announced the latest versions their most popular consumer digital content production software, including Vegas Movie Studio 8 ($89.95) and Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition ($129.95), Sound Forge Audio Studio ($69.95), Acid Music Studio ($69.95), and Photo Go ($24.95). All products are PC-only and now compatible with Windows Vista.

 

This latest version may draw more people with its AVCHD compatibility (Platinum Edition only), but even that has its limitations. Matthew Brohn, Product Manager for Sony Creative Software, confirmed that the software will only function with Sony AVCHD products. Panasonic and Canon AVCHD camcorders are not compatible at this time. Vegas 8 is not the first to offer AVCHD compatibility. Earlier this year, Sony released Vegas 7.0e, also offering the ability to edit AVCHD. That same week, Corel announced Ulead Video Studio 11. Then Pinnacle announced Studio 11 in standard, Plus, and Ultimate editions. All companies are vying for the same market, though Sony may have the edge with better production tools like color correction tools and 3D motion tracking.

 

Sony Vegas Movie Studio 8, which began selling last week, has several new features, including Vista support, advanced media markers, improved snapping on the timeline, better audio playback, more audio tracks and effects, and full screen playback to a second Windows monitor. Vegas 8 also features a new tool for inserting I-frames at marker positions for MPEG-2 files.

 

The upgraded Vegas Movie Studio 8 Platinum Edition includes AVCHD input support, an overhauled engine for HDV playback, Freehand envelope drawing on the timeline, new effects and transitions, and new compositing masks.

 

All updated software is now available for download through sonycreativesoftware.com.