MB2 vs. ReelPak for Vegas 6

Norm Sanders

Norm Sanders

Script Wrangler
I know ReelPak SMOKES MB1 for render times in Vegas, and that was the huge advantage over using it instead of MB.

Now, however, MB2 is claiming real time rendering/preview as well as additional effects for only $99 (upgrade for those of us that rec'd MB with the DVX100a). Since it's the editor's version, I believe the effects are fully customizable as well, so you can further trick it out to taste away from the presets.

Has anyone had a chance to actually test out MB2? Can you actually realtime preview with it in Vegas? Does it really render as fast or faster now than ReelPak?
 
Wow, 24 views & no input, huh?

Here's a segment from their website, which states it ALSO helps to get rid of artifacting from DV compression:

  • Make any video source look like film including DV, HDV, HD, Beta Cam & DigiBeta
  • NEW Includes 65 presets that mimic popular TV and film "looks"
  • Includes looks inspired by The Matrix, Traffic, & Three Kings
  • NEW Compression Correction™ engine removes DV & HDV artifacts for a smoother results
  • Create and save your own unique looks
  • Soften the harsh edges and over saturated colors of video
  • Provides 14 filters that accurately mimic damage of old film
  • Film damage includes grain, splotches, scratches and projection artifacts
  • NEW Uses proprietary DeepColor™ RT technology delivering the highest quality output in up to real-time
  • Optimized for Power Mac G5 and Intel Pentium 4

Thoughts, anyone?
 
you have to have a serious video card for the real time (and if you are on a mac your choices are small). We arent talking about a $100 one, but the $300 and up. Now if MB is part of your regular workflow, and you are willing to invest in a beefier video card, then go for it.

But from what I have read most are not seeing a night and day difference in render times based on thier current machines specs. I am kind of torn on this as I too am considering the upgrade since it is only $99.

The compression correction is the feature I am most interested in, but as I read if from RG website, its looks as if it only cleans up jaggies around chroma effects. If it cleans up compression artifacts say in low detail areas of the video, then I would go for it. unfortunately I think the demo is version 1 only.
 
I've also started using the MB Movie Looks HD that came with Vegas6/DVDA. According to RedGiant's website (http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/mbe2whatsnew.html), to get realtime you need an nVidia7800GT-based video card which appears to sell for $550 or so on most online sites.

I can appreciate the portability that software-based FX affords, but what would be some of the reasons that Sony wouldn't also take advantage of hardware to accelerate certain processes which take hours to complete? The Film Looks obviously don't need the polygon processing capabilities of GPUs, so they must be taking advantage of pixel-based processing that are also involved with many other videoFX in Vegas' arsenal.

- John
 
Hi guys,
I've ordered a new Dell pc (XPS600, a dualcore 3 ghz machine) that has that particular videocard. So in two weeks time I can report the acceleration on MB 2 looks.
 
Good, look forward to it. If you've got ReelPack for Vegas, it'd be awesome to seee a side by side comparison as well of some noisy DV footage ... to see if MB2 can actually clean it up any as they claim. At the very least the render times will be interesting to see.
 
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