Why choose FCP over Sony Vegas Pro 9 « Videomaker Community Forums

MontTip
Member

Just getting into HD video and debating whether to go Mac and FCP vs keeping my PC and getting Vegas Pro 9. Why would you chose one over the other?

Thanks,

T.

Posted 2 years ago #
composite1
Moderator

Mont,

Truthfully, it all depends on how much money and time you want to spend on switching. Granted, any serious editor will be familiar with a number of NLE software and if you plan on going pro eventually you'll need some experience using Media Composer (or better), FCP or some other high-end production software.

Between FCP and Vegas there are a number of differences than price. Up front, FCP is very strong on the video editing side and is a favorite of boutique style production houses in addition to high-end production facilities. Sound wise it has very good sound editing controls and works well with audio workstation software like Pro-Tools. FCP is also a solid choice if you are seriously into finishing work as you can natively use Apple's ProRes codec for bringing 4:2:0 HD video up to 4:2:2 resolution. Though if your not outputting for theatrical, broadcast, high-end online or Blu-Ray release then it's just another bell and whistle.

Vegas on the other hand is slightly less expensive and has really good video controls. Its two major strengths that rival FCP are its ease of use. For example, for my latest film my offline editor and I cut it on Vegas 7. He had never worked with Vegas before and my only experience was with ACID and Sound Forge. Within two hours we had the basics down and within two days you would have thought we had always edited with it.

The second strength is its sound editing capabilities. The only other programs that can truly rival Vegas sound wise are Pro-tools and maybe Cakewalk. Combine ACID and Sound Forge in the mix and there's only Pro-Tools.

Vegas can also work with 10 bit video and just like FCP can handle PIA AVCHD, 2k and I do believe 4k with the release of v9. Many broadcast shows like 'Survivor Man' are cut, sound mixed and finished using Vegas and its suite.

So which one is better? Neither or either depending on what you're planning on doing. Survivorman's Les Stroud was a long time FCP user, but tried Vegas and hasn't looked back. Other posters in these forums changed from Vegas to FCP with apparently positive results. Before you switch or stay ask yourself, 'Can I currently afford to dump everything and buy all new stuff? 'Cause if you go FCP you will have to. Of course you can partition your main drive and have a PC section so you can still run Vegas, but remember Vegas like FCP was specifically designed for a particular platform and will run most efficiently with what it was designed for. Every editor I know who's done this says it's a pain, but it might work for you.

Now before some fanboy for Mac or PC accuses me of anything, I'm not saying that either is bad. Both have their strengths, both have their weaknesses. Up front are issues of both time and money. You're already familiar with Vegas so upgrading will be barely a hiccup for you. However, if you change over to FCP you have to go all the way with a new Apple computer and everything that goes with it plus the time it's going to take to learn a new OS and learning to use a new NLE. If you have that kind of time and money to spare then go for it. If you don't you can work with HD just as well with the program you are already familiar with. That's fine too.

H.Wolfgang Porter, Composite Media Producer
Dreaded Enterprises Unlimited, Inc.
http://www.dreadedenterprises.com

Posted 2 years ago #
Derek Sine
Member

Are you on a PC or MAC already that is the question. I work on MAC's at home and PC's at work.

Derek Sine
Trails Ventures, LLC.

Posted 2 years ago #
CraftersOfLight
Member

Derek, I think you missed that point in his query, "... vs keeping my PC and getting Vegas Pro 9."

I too am looking, at some point, to improve my NLE, working off PC, and am trying to justify the dollars. Composite1's review sounded like a pretty good outline to me about my path forward.

Life is not a guided tour nor a destination.
It is a journey. Take the time to enjoy your family, friends and surroundings.
Build memories. Share experiences. Travel at sight speed not light speed. (C)

Posted 2 years ago #
Derek Sine
Member

My Bad. Well, I know a few people who have switched from Vegas to Final Cut and never looked back. I am biased - I really dig my MAC work flow.

Posted 2 years ago #
EarlC
Moderator

Practically speaking, stick with PC.

Economically speaking, stick with PC.

Generally speaking, as aptly pointed out by Composite, who is ambidextrous :-) either one, or both, work. A dedicated person on either platform/program(s) can get to the point where he/she can make it sing.

Posted 2 years ago #
MontTip
Member

I'm on PC now, but tempted by Mac. My 2.4 dual core couldn't even play my HD videos until I got Windows 7. Not really tied to a NLE either since I am only using a trial Version of Vegas Pro. I do find Vegas Pro pretty easy to use, but have a lot to learn to get full potential from it.

@Derek, you mention better workflow on the MAC, could you elaborate?

Cost? yes an issue to switch. I can get a new high powered PC for 1/3 the price of a comparable Mac. Obviously to many the cost is justified.

T.

Posted 2 years ago #