Stay with ProX3 or move on to Movie Edit Pro Premium 2013?

Craigster wrote on 9/26/2012, 1:11 AM

I was working on a big project with Video ProX3 where it became unusable. Graphics went nuts. Seemingly after mixing 44.1 and 48k audio files. Maybe it can't handle both...

Anyway, I would be eager to upgrade to ProX4 with the new features and better handling of RAM on 64-bit systems. However, there is no present upgrade path, so the cost is a full $400, unless I'm mistaken.

So, I'm wondering if it makes sense to move "forward" with Movie Edit Pro - Premium edition, currently available for $129. The advertized new 50 features seem to track closely with the prior ads for PX4. Other than multi-cam edit being limited to 2 cameras -- can anyone on this forum speak to what else would be LOST or DOWNGRADED by MEP-Premium, as compared with PX3?

Thanks much! Craig

Comments

emmrecs wrote on 9/27/2012, 8:16 AM

I think, if you talk to MAGIX sales, there is still an upgrade path from VPX3 to VPX4. Certainly that's how I come to be running 4; I definitely couldn't afford the "full price".

As for your comment about 64-bit systems: I know such systems allow for increased RAM and this is always useful when editing video. However, VPX is still 32 bit so whether the extra RAM is really fully utilised I really don't know; I'd be interested to hear from any 64 bit OS user.

I don't have MEP 2013, though I do have MEP MX Premium, which I find myself using less and less. It just seems so much "slower" than VPX4; I do a lot of work with AVCHD footage and VPX4 allows me to run the Video Playback Resolution at "Full" (most of the time) unless I'm using quite complex transitions or, as I quite often do, have a movie loop running behind a green-screened "talking head". Then "Half" resolution may be necessary but my computer is NOT top spec (Win 7 32 bit, Intel Q9650 CPU ("Core2Quad" at 3 Gig, slightly overclocked) 4 Gig RAM, ATI Radeon HD4650 Grpahics, EMU 0404 PCI Soundcard.)

Running/editing AVCHD at Full resolution on VPX3 I found impossible (on the same machine.)

HTH

Jeff

Scenestealer wrote on 9/29/2012, 1:35 AM

Hi All

I am interested in your observations Jeff with VPX4 on a machine which is quite similar to mine although I have OC mine to 3,5Gig. MEP 2013 is supposed to use the same engine as VPX4 and I would have to say it does appear to be giving better performance with AVCHD 50P although how much more is a little early to tell. It is certainly doing more on the graphics processor, which is good, when previewing with effects and transitions but still jerky when you don't want it to be, at Full res. What is very usefull is the little button at the bottom of the preview window that allows you to switch between 1/2 and Full with one click, when the going gets tough! Are you working with 50p or interlaced, as switching the project settings to 1080i 25fps smooths out playback?

RAM usage seems a little better managed on my 32bit vista system than with MX - I have noticed in Task Manager MEP freeing up RAM automatically at intervals with 2013. I see that the "program settings" have dispensed with the selection of Cache or No cache so something might have changed with the way it caches material.

For me Craig,not knowing much about VPX, but the loss of the 2 preview monitors and the extra colour correcting tools would be a loss if going to MEP as would the ability to import some of the more professional codec formats - FWIW. I agree though - the new features in MEP seem to have closed the gap on VPX.

Cheers

Peter

emmrecs wrote on 9/30/2012, 11:36 AM

Hi Peter.

My footage is 1080i @ 25fps. My OC is "dynamic" (I think. My graphics card has a variety of "boost" settings; mine is one below the maximum available.) When VPX is rendering video I see the clock frequency increase to about 3.5Gig, so I would guess our set-ups are pretty similar.

I fully agree with your advice to Craig about twin preview monitors especially. I really can't imagine working now with only one preview available.

Jeff