Final Cut Pro or Vegas?

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earon_k

Active member
Hey folks,
Can anyone here who has been a PC user and used Vegas give me any info that compares the two? I realize they are both used on different platforms.

I have Vegas now and am seriously considering crossing over to Mac and FCP?

Is FCP easier to use than Vegas?
Any comment or thoughts?

Thanks,
Earon
Vancouver
 
Hmm...Vegas is very different from FCP in my opinion. I went the other way. Because of my job, I was required to give up FCP for Vegas.

FCP uses the source/record workflow which might be difficult for you to get used to after using vegas. I had a hell of a time trying to get used to NOT having it in vegas.

Why are you seriously considering crossing over? Do you have any specific concerns or reasons?
 
Thanks J_Barnes,
I'm making the consideration on the recommendations of a fellow local film-maker
(Andrew Pumo/ www.dropframe.ca). He was raving about how easy it is to use FCP.
I need to get a new faster computer anyway so that in part is what is prompting me to think about options. Mind you, I like Vegas, and also have a copy of magic bullet. I like what it does.
But I think I need to pick up some Vegas training DVDs to improve and I have a project I need to edit. So, all things considered I am weighing the options. My sense is that Vegas too is fairly intuitive. And I'm not sure if the FCP guys have ever used anything related to PC, so I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly) that their opinions are based solely on FCP experience.

Any insights I can get from others would be helpful and appreciated.
Cheers,
Earon
 
I'm a PC guy, but I love Macs and I love FCP. If you ask what my native editing system is, I'd say that it's FCP. (since it's been so long since I've used AVID).

Still, that's what I like. Sounds to me like you already know vegas and like it. Just because FCP is easy to use for him, that doesn't mean it's going to be easy for you to use.

My opinion is that if you're serious about looking into FCP, ask this guy if he can give you some free training or a walk through as to how to use the software. It's all about the user interface, so you can't decide if it's right or wrong for you until you get some time behind the keys. You never know...you might just find that Vegas suits you fine.

(and this is coming from a PC user who loves FCP)
 
Thanks again.
That's also my view. I think it is all probably subjective - personal preferences and all that. The vegas users seem to rave about it. And everything Andrew said FCP could do also seems possible in vegas.
earon
 
I just recently switched from PC/PremierePro to Mac/FCP for several reasons, which I won't bore you with. But in essence what is important is what feels right to you. As the saying goes: "One man's garbage is another's treasure". I always had a problem with using Vegas because I was so entrenched in PremierePro workflow. And I'm in no way saying that Vegas is not good. It's just me and my experience with it. I have to admit that I did not try too hard either. On the other hand, PremierePro and FCP has some similarities in the workflow, so yes, for me, FCP is cool. But you're used to Vegas with a very particular workflow, so going over to FCP may seem strange to you.

Just think of the money you will spend for a new setup and the time it will take you to break out of that learning curve. If it's acceptable to you, then go for it. Provided you're not in the middle of a gig. I'll second J_Barnes in saying, ask your friend to show you FCP, and then make the decision based on hands on experience.

Of course my newly converted-to-Mac self would say: "Ditch Vegas for FCP"... but that would be extremely and unfairly biased. :evil:
 
Fred,
Believe me. most of my mac user friends are absolute fanatics. so conversion makes sense, and i suppose andrew might be trying to get me to go over to the "other side". but in all honesty i'm extremely frustrated with pc computers.
cheers,
earon
 
Flintstone said:
"One man's garbage is another's treasure". :evil:
Click to expand...

Wow. You’re not kidding. I know I’m in small company on dvxuser, and I hesitate to even say this, but I *treasure* PPro1.5. Must have got lucky---I’ve never had a problem that wasn’t my own fault. PPro1.5 does for my video what Photoshop has always done for my pics: Takes them from good to great effortlessly. Can’t imagine one without the other.
 
earon_k said:
Hey folks,
Can anyone here who has been a PC user and used Vegas give me any info that compares the two? I realize they are both used on different platforms.

I have Vegas now and am seriously considering crossing over to Mac and FCP?

Is FCP easier to use than Vegas?
Any comment or thoughts?

Thanks,
Earon
Vancouver
Click to expand...
I started a documentary in Vegas and had to re-cut in FCP.
The re-cut looked much sharper & cleaner than the Vegas cut.
(even the client noticed)

Keyframing & audio mixing seems easier in Vegas,
tho overall I am very happy switching from Vegas to FCP!
 
I'm actually in the same boat as well.
I just purchased a new 2.66 MAC PRO Quad system with (250GB main drive) (500 GB Storage Drive) preloaded with Bootcamp.

I have been using Vegas for 5 years or so and love it, but am fed up with the PC side (I don't trust Vista, too many security features and too slow with foo foo graphics. And eventually XP will go away). I also needed to get a new system as I will be migrating to HD editing in the coming year (currently have 3.4 P4 Hyper system), and wanted to go MAC.

So I picked up a new MAC and pre-ordered Final Cut Studio 2, and now have the luxury of running both OS's and running Vegas and learn FCP. Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion etc. to make the switch from Vegas to the FCS Suite. Vegas does a lot of things well (nothing great) all in one program. But the new Final Cut Suite being as tightly integrated as it seems will be much more powerful and robust by a long shot. The time consuming thing is learning the interface.

I started on Premiere Pro and Ulead Media Studio Pro, so I'm used to the workflow, although it has been a while since I worked that way. FCP's toolsets seem much more refined and accurate for precise frame editing. Also the MulitCam (Multiclip) editing is no comparision and far superior and easier to use than Excallibur or Ultimate S for Vegas.
I'm interested to see how FCP 6 handles a multitude of video formats on the same timeline (which Vegas has always been able to do), as they are boasting that feature in one of the advancements in the program.
 
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