@CubeAce

Section as an effect is still giving some problems.

What kind of problems? Can you give some examples?

Thanks.

@Galaxy

Not retaining its settings if used more than once if different settings required for each instance of use and producing black bars if used as an overly of another image if I remember the latter correctly. There are other topics here that cover this and I don't tend to use the effect. I think GID mentioned that in another post in the last few weeks. Others have suggested saving a setting as an effect as a workaround.

Ray.

@CubeAce

Based on your very helpful comments, I guess I should wait until the remaining issues in VPX 13 are fixed.

My hope is to buy the final patch before the next full release, for maximum reliability. But when will that be?

It seems that VPX 13 is actually version 17, though I don't know why it should have two different version numbers. Anyway, if that is true, then the most recent full upgrade was released on 11/25/2019, according to this webpage:

https://www.magix.info/us/forum/release-video-pro-x-intuitive-video-production-redefined--1233484/

Is this correct?

Has Magix hinted at when the next full upgrade will be released?

@Galaxy@Galaxy

Your signature says you have an Intel i7-9800x Skylake processor, but a Skylake is a 6th Generation Intel ie. i7-6xxxx. Do you have a 6th or a 9th Gen Intel?

Either way, it looks like a pretty capable system for the latest iteration of VPX.

Peter

@Galaxy

Section Effect bug in MEP 2022:

https://www.magix.info/us/forum/creating-a-section-in-mep2022-21-0-1-104-post-now-includes-119--1288852/#ca1730866

I don't have VPX13 so we'll have to get confirmation it also applies to that.

Essentially, when you have multiple objects "sectionised", when you click on one, the section effect on one of the others is reset. While Camera/Zoomshot can be used as a workaround for basic cropping, you can't use Section with Size and Position. A real nuisance.

@AAProds

I do use the Section effect fairly often, so if it's still malfunctioning, I'll have to postpone purchasing the upgrade.

I hope someone has submitted a bug report to Magix, so they are aware of the problem.

Thanks.

@Galaxy

Hi.

Magix do not as far as I'm aware ever notify of a new release date but if you buy VPX before the release of a new version now, should ensure the last update available. The only downside being although you wouldn't have to install it straight away you may lose any ability to install third party offerings if not dealt with within 90 days of purchase. I have not ever bought VPX from Magix but via Humble Bundle so I am actually one version behind which I prefer to be and have a new version of MEP instead.

There are still a list unresolved bugs from previous versions that don't ever seem to effect me personally that have never been resolved. I think John CB has in the past kept tabs on those and has a list. How many exist I have no recollection.

Ray.

@Galaxy

I hope someone has submitted a bug report to Magix, so they are aware of the problem.

Yes, a few of us have.

@CubeAce

if you buy VPX before the release of a new version now, should ensure the last update available.

This is true in the short run. However, as I explained in my original post,

"I have confirmed with Magix that whatever version is current on the date that I buy the software, [that] will be the [only] version I will have access to if I ever need to reinstall 2 or 3 years in the future."

For example, if I buy today, I will get VPX 13 (.2.155). And yes, within one year, I will be allowed to install any subsequent patches that become available before the next full release.

But ...

If my hard drive fails 3 years from now, and I need to reinstall, I will only have access to VPX 13 (.2.155). I will not have access to any subsequent patches, because my 1-year free-update period will have expired.

A core assumption I am making is that I cannot simply store the installation files on a backup hard drive. Magix does not allow that. So to reinstall, I would need to download all the necessary files all over again from Magix. But Magix would limit me to VPX 13 (.2.155), because that was the current version when I purchased the upgrade. They would not allow me to install any subsequent bug-fix patches.

So, at that point in the future, the only way to avoid any bugs in VPX 13 (.2.155) would be to upgrade to the latest full release, which by then might lack some of VPX 13's functionality, and which might have a whole new set of bugs.

So to avoid all that trouble, I want to wait until all the bugs are fixed in the current version before I buy.

If I am misinformed about any of this, please tell me.

@CubeAce you have mentioned that Humble Bundle offers the previous version of VPX. I have some questions about that:

• Do they offer the final bug-fixed version of each full release?
• Do they allow users to download and save the installation files?
• How soon do they offer the software? E.g., within one month after Magix introduces a new full release?

Thanks.

@Galaxy

Hi,

For example, if I buy today, I will get VPX 13 (.2.155). And yes, within one year, I will be able to install any subsequent patches that become available before the next full release.

But ...

If my hard drive fails 3 years from now, and I need to reinstall, I will only have access to VPX 13 (.2.155). I will not have access to any subsequent patches, because my 1-year free-update period will have expired.

I would question that with Magix as the Update Service program has been dropped. As far as I know, there are no more interim upgrades, only patches. You should get the final patch of the version that you purchased if you have to reinstall a few years from now.

As for HB:

1. The offering is the last patch of that version, not bug-free as that doesn't exist;
2. Yes;
3. Whenever Magix decides what to offer. There is no set pattern.

John CB

@Galaxy

Hi.

John CB is correct on all three points with one caveat.

As far as I know Humble bundle may never offer VPX again, There is no guarantee about that. They offered VPX 11 and 12. I don't know about previous releases as it was before I was aware of such offers. They have done Vegas Studio in the past which could in turn end up being Movie Studio in the future or they may ask another editing software company altogether.

As for not having the last version if a C: drive goes down. A few of us clone our C: drives so if one goes down the other takes over. One advantage of tower cases over laptops.

The other option is just to go for the upgrade each year which is cheaper and keeps you up to date with patches.

You don't have to update the software straight away. If I'm not upgrading my hardware I'm always wary about upgrading software unless there is a definite benefit to doing so. One reason may be to cope with the demands of a new camera. Often without the additional benefit of upgraded hardware the new software seldom works as well as advertised as there is nearly always a trade off in performance for new abilities within the program.

I too have never seen completely bug free software. You just have to decide what is important to you and can you cope with the imperfections because awaiting a bug fix may never happen.

Ray.

@browj2

For example, if I buy today, I will get VPX 13 (.2.155). And yes, within one year, I will be able to install any subsequent patches that become available before the next full release.

But ...

If my hard drive fails 3 years from now, and I need to reinstall, I will only have access to VPX 13 (.2.155). I will not have access to any subsequent patches, because my 1-year free-update period will have expired.

I would question that with Magix as the Update Service program has been dropped. As far as I know, there are no more interim upgrades, only patches. You should get the final patch of the version that you purchased if you have to reinstall a few years from now.

Actually, I did ask Magix in Oct 2021. The exact question I asked was this:

"If I buy the upgrade to the current version, which I believe is VPX 13, will I be
entitled to one year of free bug fixes and updates?

Assuming I don't buy any further upgrades: If my hard drive fails three years from
now, in 2024, and I have to re-download and re-install VPX 13, which version will
I be entitled to? ...

In 2024, will I be entitled to the same 1 year of updates and bug fixes that were
published within twelve months of Oct 2021? Or will I be limited to the original
paid upgrade version, without any of the subsequent updates and bug fixes?"

Magix answered:

"In the case of a new installation, you will receive the version you received at the time of purchase. The updates are not installed in this case."

I disagree with this policy, but I can't change it, so I'm trying to work around it, as you can see.

As for your comment that

The offering is the last patch of that version, not bug-free as that doesn't exist;

Yes of course, "final" does not mean "perfect". I'm realistic about this. I just want whatever version has as few bugs as possible. That's typically the final bug-fix patch before the next full release.

By the way, Magix recently told me this:

"Video Pro X 14 will be released relatively soon".

Before they release VPX 14, I hope they will fix the remaining Section Effect malfunction. For me, that bug-fix is worth waiting for.

@Galaxy Unfortunately, the HumbleBundle offer has expired.

@Photo_G

Magix answered:

"In the case of a new installation, you will receive the version you received at the time of purchase. The updates are not installed in this case."

I don't actually think this is the case now (perhaps they listened to our protestations). If you were to re-install MEP now, from the "My Products" page, you'll get MEP 2022, fully patched to the latest version.

The only thing I can't yet check is if that still applies after your update period has finished, but I suspect that it will.

I assume a similar policy exists for VPX.

FWIW, I always save the patch files JIC.

@Galaxy

"In the case of a new installation, you will receive the version you received at the time of purchase. The updates are not installed in this case."

Having raised exactly this issue with Magix directly I can definitely confirm that this has now changed! With the ending of the update Service and the arrival of the options of "one-off purchase" or the "subscription" model this is what I was told directly by Magix:

users who bought a full version get access to the latest patched version available before the new version. For example, a user bought VPX13, he/she gets access to the latest patch before the release of VPX14.

Clearly, I hope, this is the situation for the "one-off" purchase method.

The subscription model is somewhat different; in this case, if the user ends his subscription all access to the software ends with the date on which the subscription ceases.

HTH

Jeff
Forum Moderator

@AAProds

Magix answered:

"In the case of a new installation, you will receive the version you received at the time of purchase. The updates are not installed in this case."

I don't actually think this is the case now (perhaps they listened to our protestations). If you were to re-install MEP now, from the "My Products" page, you'll get MEP 2022, fully patched to the latest version.

The only thing I can't yet check is if that still applies after your update period has finished, but I suspect that it will.

I assume a similar policy exists for VPX.

FWIW, I always save the patch files JIC.

You got me thinking, so this evening, to test your theory, I reinstalled Video Pro X. My experience seems to confirm that what Magix told me is true, at least for VPX. Here's what I did:

First I logged in to Magix and saw three VPX items registered to me:

• VPX
• VPX 8
• VPX 10

The first item had a serial number, which applies to the other two items as well. But only the first item had a link to the "installation program". So I clicked that link, and it gave me only one choice: To install a very old version. So I installed it. Then was allowed to install 3 successive bug-fix updates. Here is the sequence:

• 15.0.0.56
• 15.0.3.154
• 15.0.5.211
• 15.0.5.213 (This was the current version when I bought VPX in Jan 2018, and it seems buggy.)

No further updates were allowed, unless I paid for VPX 13. I was NOT allowed to reinstall the following VPX 10 patches, which I was previously able to install before my free update period expired:

• 16.0.1.242
• 16.0.2.306

In other words, the highest version I was allowed to install was the version that was current when I bought the software. This is consistent with what Magix has told me:

"In the case of a new installation, you will receive the version you received at the time of purchase. The updates are not installed in this case."

Also, I was never given any opportunity to save the patch files to my hard drive. Instead, the installer automatically downloaded the necessary files from the Magix server, and it did not reveal if or where they were saved.

I think Magix's strategy is to get you hooked on the updates you've installed after your purchase date, so that if you ever need to reinstall, you'll discover that you can't access the version you got hooked on, and you'll end up buying an upgrade. To avoid that, I'm waiting for the least buggy version, which I will use exclusively, without any further updates.

@emmrecs

users who bought a full version get access to the latest patched version available before the new version. For example, a user bought VPX13, he/she gets access to the latest patch before the release of VPX14.

Is that access permanent? Or does it expire when the free upgrade period expires?

Has Magix published this policy on their website?

Thanks.

@Galaxy

My understanding is that the access is permanent.

Also, re your earlier post about attempting to reinstall older products, I would guess this "change" (to allow access to all the patches of a purchased version) is "new", i.e. applies ONLY to products released since the removal of the former update Service (last Summer).

Jeff

@Galaxy

I think Jeff @emmrecs is on the money; the older versions aren't getting the same treatment as the latest ones. I based my comment on this experiment, where I went through the install process of MEP 2022 on my other computer. This was the program status as I got it from the Magix "My Products" list for MEP:

At the time, there had a been a few patches, and 130 was the latest patch.

I was never given any opportunity to save the patch files to my hard drive.

You never are. I tracked it down using Treesize. The patches for the recent versions end up here:

Hi,

Since the Update Service has been dropped, we no longer receive any new features, just patches for the current version VPX13. There may be some new features introduced with the new version, VPX13 that needed tweaking due to user complaints, and we should get those. Thus, if you have to reinstall VPX13 in a year or two from now, you will get the last patch issued, but only if you did not get VPX13 as an upgrade from VPX12 under the Update Service.

Previously, with the Update Service, there were new features released during the life of the version, mixed in with patches. You could also start with one version and end with a newer one. That is why if you had to reinstall at a later date outside of the 1 year period, you fell back to the version available on the date you last paid.

Magix indicated that when your 1 year ran out, the next time you paid it would be for whatever version was available on that date. You would then receive patches to the end of the cycle, even if you had to reinstall at a later date.

We are now back to the way things were before the Update Service scheme started.

For example, if you had started with VPX12 under the Update Service and got VPX13, and your Update Service has run out, and you now purchase an Upgrade, you will get VPX13 locked in and you will stay there - no free upgrade to VPX14. If you have to reinstall VPX13 in the future, you will get the final patch.

However, under the same situation, if you don't pay to lock in VPX13 before VPX14 comes out, and if you have to reinstall at a later date, you will get VPX12, not VPX13, patched to the date that you last paid.

John CB

@browj2

However, under the same situation, if you don't pay to lock in VPX13 before VPX14 comes out, and if you have to reinstall at a later date, you will get VPX12, not VPX13, patched to the date that you last paid.

Yes, "patched to the date that you last paid", that's basically what Magix told me 6 months ago in Oct 2021. In other words, if I buy now, I will get VPX13 (.2.155), and I can install any subsequent VPX13 patches within one year. But if I need to reinstall two years from now, I will be limited to VPX13 (.2.155) only. I will not be able to access to any subsequent VPX13 patches. That's what I think you mean by "patched to the date that you last paid", and it is consistent with what Magix told me:

"In the case of a new installation, you will receive the version you received at the time of purchase. The updates are not installed in this case."

Have I understood you correctly? I am wondering, because you also wrote the following comments, which are not consistent with what Magix told me in Oct 2021:

if you have to reinstall VPX13 in a year or two from now, you will get the last patch issued

and

Magix indicated that when your 1 year ran out, the next time you paid it would be for whatever version was available on that date. You would then receive patches to the end of the cycle, even if you had to reinstall at a later date.

and

If you have to reinstall VPX13 in the future, you will get the final patch.

Do you know if Magix has posted their current policy on their website? A link to that would be very helpful.

Or if you have communicated with Magix about this recently, would you mind quoting the exact words they used to explain their policy, even if they explained it in German?

Thanks.

@Galaxy

The words I quoted in my last post are from a member of Magix staff. They were made in a post to the Moderators' area of the forum, so not accessible to other users, sorry!

Yes, the policy now is different to what it was just a few months ago!

@browj2

Hi John.

I'm not sure that at least part of what you write above is the situation now. The quotation I refer @Galaxy to was made by @MAGIX_Redaktion so is to be taken as correct and at face value. IOW, reinstalling an earlier version should see the user able to access ALL the patches for that version which were released within the 12 month life-cycle of that version.

Jeff
Forum Moderator