Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

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I know this is an old debate topic, but I'm hoping to get some input from those who have seen and/or used SEVERAL different NLE's. I have a DVX-100 and will be 24pa shooting and editing a documentary for broadcast purposes. I'll be buying a computer and nle for this sole purpose. I'm trying to decide between Premiere PRO- with a PC, Vegas with a PC or FCP with a MAC.
Any input from those who have used different NLE's would be greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Dude. Come on. Really. You know it's an "old debate topic," so why stir it up? Do a search. There's plenty, plenty, plenty on this, especially in the individual NLE threads.

At least register if you're going to ask a question like that.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Here's the simple answer, they are all good and will allow you to accomplish whatever it is you need.

I work with Premiere Pro 1.5 but have also worked with Vegas and Avid Xpress Pro and it's just a case of getting used to the different interfaces....functionally, they are simliar.

You need to ask yourself what it is you want to do, edit-wise. I'd recommend you download trial versions of these NLEs, see which one is most intuitive and then go with that and don't look back.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Unless they've drastically updated Premiere since I used it (6.0), I'd stick with Vegas, FCP, or Avid. Just more there.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

[quote author=glassblowerscat link=board=Offtopic;num=1098146893;start=0#3 date=10/18/04 at 19:36:59]Unless they've drastically updated Premiere since I used it (6.0)[/quote]

They have, it's been rewritten from the ground up.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Yes, and strangley Adobe didn't port the new build for Macintosh, just Windows, so Premiere seems to be dying or dead for Mac at v6.5.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

[quote author=moe_snodgrass link=board=Offtopic;num=1098146893;start=0#6 date=10/18/04 at 19:53:04]Yes, and strangley Adobe didn't port the new build for Macintosh, just Windows, so Premiere seems to be dying or dead for Mac at v6.5.[/quote]

Well, I'm glad they rewrote for our sad PC friends ;), but if you're a Mac user I don't know why you wouldn't be using FCP or FCExpress anyway. I think Adobe realized that, just as all the rest of us should.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

I'm starting my editing.... I'm starting to have fun with Vegas!

I vote Vegas, but that's my choice.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

I'm on PPro 1.5 and it serves me well. I had to edit a movie with Final Cut for a project I was doing for someone else, at first I didn't like it, but then I warmed up to it. Bottom line is they'll all basically do what you need done, it's just how you choose to get there.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Usually people who've tried and extensively used various editing programs have a favorite that is based on very subjective and personal reasons.  Thus, it has very little application to how YOU will use and interact with the software and hardware.

I've used Avid, FCP, FCE, Vegas and Premiere.  For me, the apple solutions match my personal subjective needs most closely, probably because they're so obviously based on the Avid MC interface I learned on.  As I'm not permitted a Mac at my current assignment, I'm editing on Vegas which is very different from the Avid MC interface I learned on...thus, it's far far from my personal subjective needs.  However, it's still paying the bills and it's still getting the job done because I've adapted to the different working methods.

I think the truth about editing is that you learn to work with a process, but it's the work that you do with that process that you grow to love, not the methods that got you there.  It's not so much that we become loyal to an editing software out of choice, we become dependent upon the results we get with that software, and that leads us to adopt whatever specific platform we utilize as our standard.  

Chances are that you already know which one you want to use, you're just looking for someone to validate your choice.  Make it already and start editing.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

..id tell you to go with some PC based product because your whole shebang of buying an NLE will be cheaper then.. and upgrades and such will also be cheaper. i personally use PPRO 1.5 , but agree that ANY NLE is equally suited to get the job done so just pick one that matches your style and workflow the best.. download trial versions and make an informed decision.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

I actually think you can get the most bang for your buck with a G5 and Final Cut Pro.

My past experience with PCs is the need for add-on cards and such to get the same performance from a Mac right off the box.

I predict we are going to see Final Cut overpower AVID dominance in creative editorial in about 2-3 years.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Like J_Barnes I have edited on a variety of platforms and systems including cutting 35 on a flatbed. I started on a NLE with Dvision(RIP).
I have decided to bury my PC for editing and only use it for 3D, I recently bought a 1.5 gig powerbook and love working with FCP and AE...all portably. The system is very stable. I go from home to clients...and just plug into a set of speaker and a larger monitor.

FCP is slowly maturing and I believe will eventually dominate the AVID domain.

I think Apple has some advantages in that they have a unified hardware platform and this lends itself to the stability and ongoing dev of FCP.

Also FCP comes with a wack of additional software...Livetype, Soundtrack, Compressor etc. All of these products work very well together now with FCP 4.5...these products will also mature into strong apps.

But...it really comes down to the interface and what you are comfortable with. Don't let money be the barrier. It's really not the tools...its the brain driving the tools.

My 2 cents.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

[quote author=natob2 link=board=Offtopic;num=1098146893;start=0#14 date=10/19/04 at 08:55:21]

My past experience with PCs is the need for add-on cards and such to get the same performance from a Mac right off the box.
 [/quote]

Like what? The need for hardware-based capture and render cards has been been passed by with the heavy-duty CPUs now available. Most NLEs don't even utilize them anymore.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

Yucatan

Also consider that FCP is optimized for dual processor which means true multitasking. The G5 towers are all dual processor starting at $1999. Realistically, you'd want to spend between $2400 (more RAM) to $3500 (more everything). Not sure if any other NLE's are optimized for duals, maybe Avid.
 
Re: Starting from Scratch: NLE Decision

The real question is whose truck is better and whose genitals are larger.
 
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