Hi! I'm a long time Movie Edit Pro user. So long in fact that I have MEP 2014 projects!
I'm looking to pick up a copy of Video Pro X14 - I'm wondering, can that correctly read MEP2014 projects? ie: VPX14 will perfectly read/render MEP2014 projects and from there, I can upgrade them into VPX14 projects taking advantage of all the new tools that VPX14 has.
Thanks for your insights! :-)
Hi.
If you are looking at the current HunbleBundle offer, then make sure the computer system you put VPX14 on is at the very least meeting the new minimum system requirements if not actually beating them or it may not run as smoothly as you are used to (project dependant). Old projects should load and run but some effects/transitions may be missing from the new program and if you want to work on the project again on the old software, give it a new name as the new project file will not open on the older software. So anything done in the new software will not be backwards compatible. Also you will probably not be able to run both your old version and new version on the same machine due to the different operating system requirements.
Ray.
I regularly "move" projects between VPX (15) and Movie Studio (2024) so yes, it is perfectly possible with the latest versions.
However, I would strongly recommend downloading the free trial version of VPX (15 is the latest so is the version that is freely downloadable from the Magix website) to test with your MEP 2014 projects. Although all Magix trial versions are in some way "limited" as compared with the full, purchased version (e.g., exports are limited to, I believe, 3 minutes) you should quickly be able to discover whether you can open and run your older projects in the newer software.
Is there a specific reason why you would want VPX14 rather than 15?
Jeff
Forum Moderator
Hi Ray,
Yes, I noticed the HB offer but wondered whether @Kevin-Tam might prefer to be sure his projects were interchangeable before spending even that relatively small amount!! 😇 If they can open/run (even partially) in VPX15 I suspect there will be no, or fewer, problems with VPX14!
Jeff
Jeff
Thanks for the all the prompt and helpful comments everyone. Yes - spot on - I am eyeing off the Humble Bundle. It'll be quite the upgrade from MEP2014 😁
Great to hear about VPX14 being able to open MEP2014 projects - I'll try it out. If by chance VPX14 doesn't totally do that, it would be a fair assumption that the MEP2023 in the bundle should render the old projects 100% correctly? (I have no exotic 3rd party plugins).
Quick questions: VPX looks to me to be MEP with extra features - is that a correct summary (and why the MEP projects are compatible in VPX)? Also, does anyone have experience with Davinci Resolve and how does that compare with VPX?
Thanks!
Hi Kevin.
If by chance VPX14 doesn't totally do that, it would be a fair assumption that the MEP2023 in the bundle should render the old projects 100% correctly?
No. the two programs MMS 2023 and VPX 14 are of the same generation but VPX is more powerful. You would encounter the same compatibility problems in both if you have such a problem as it is not a given that a problem will happen.
There are bits missing from the newer vs older programs such as some of the animated images (no flyaway balloons for instance). Some functions that were separate but are now combined may have to be redone for the new version of the plugin as previous key frames may not be recognised. Some control options to some fades seem to have changed. Always save an old project with a new name so the old project can still be edited on an old copy of MEP if need be. Assuming your operating system allows or you keep an older computer with that older program on.
DaVinci Resolve is a completely different way of working. Very powerful but works by connecting nodes. If you have ever used Boris Particle illusion you will know what I mean. Boris is a simpler version of how DaVinci works. Or if you have tried Grass Valley's Edius. Similar again. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to look at.
VPX is just MEP on steroids. More controls on the same effects, basically. More export options and and content is royalty free but not necessarily copyright free.
Ray.
@CubeAce Thanks again for your insights! Ok, I'll keep MEP2014 on the old computer and give VPX14 a run on the new one.
I asked about DaVinci Resolve because people have recommended it. While I could look into learning how to use it, it strikes me that that wouldn't be worth the time if VPX14 (which looks to have a similar workflow to MEP) has enough features to potentially turn out work of the same calibre?
@CubeAce - I'm assuming your reply to emmrecs was actuallly directed at me? If so....
Yes, I looked at the comparison chart - it's very useful - thanks! (and why I said ,"VPX looks to me to be MEP with extra features").
I have very limited experience with Davinci Resolve (frustrated beginner) and none with VPX, so my last question was to ask anyone who has good experience with both - feature charts don't always tell what real users can produce. So, for anyone who has produced work in VPX and Davinci Resolve - is one obviously superior to the other or can they produce similar quality work when one is equally competent in using either?
Hi Kevin.
Yes, sorry I used the wrong user link and didn't notice.
Your last question is unfortunately getting into fanboy territory so the answer will differ depending on who replies.
I think there are real differences between some programs but that mainly comes down to how the codecs are handled internally by each program. Some being more efficient in one direction at the cost of some other capability going in the opposing direction. I personally think the eventual quality of an export comes down to the experience of the person doing the editing.
Some programs may be more efficient at doing some tasks rather than other tasks depending on the hardware used in that system. I feel there are too many variables both in program capabilities and user systems to arrive at a meaningful conclusion and too many different user requirements to have a 'one program fits all' reply. I'm sorry if that is not an answer you want but I'm trying to stay objective in my reply.
Because of that a few of us here work with more than one video editor (and sometimes external audio editors) depending on what we are doing and what we want to achieve in a given project. Some of us have different views on how to export the results and the end result purpose. (Upload to the web, play on a 4K TV, produce a DVD etc)
Then you have to remember that after all your hard work it's unlikely anyone will see the result exactly the same way unless you have colour calibrated your monitor and the person viewing it has the same monitor also calibrated. That's even if the person viewing cares. Content beats quality most of the time. Obviously there are cut-off points where quality becomes an issue for some people but that may be much lower than you think. Whereas if someone has an interest in the topic, they are more likely to watch a slightly less than perfect rendering.
Any change of video editor will be frustrating at first and quite possibly a steep learning curve. It can take years to fully get to grips with any editor. That's why these and other forums exist. To try to help other users with their current problem.
At the end of the day VPX is not much different to MEP. Easy to adjust to with not much of an additional learning curve unless you want to dig deeper into the program. Most probably backwards compatible with older projects and easily reparable where sections may not be.
Ray.
Hi
. . . . "VPX looks to me to be MEP with extra features" . . . .
It is actually the other way round MEP/MMS is a prosumer product based on VPX without the 'pro tools' eg meters, 'pro' version of effects such as Brightness/Contrast, more codec support and the 'Project folder' - other editors call it the Bin.
If you can use MEP 2014 then you can use VPX, the interfaces are very similar keyboard shortcuts are the same for the major editing options eg cut, trim left/right, in/out points (range) etc.
The major change between MEP 2014 and VPX 14/15 is the Size Position and Rotation effect which is now a combined effect and has an adjustable movable rotation centre reference point for the video/image object.
If you do not need the extra tools and pro features then Movie Studio 2024 (MMS 2024) would fulfil your needs and you are also be eligible for the Upgrade price.
The 'extra' you may need with MMS 2024 is the HEVC codec if you intend to export as HEVC - a small price to pay - IIRC it was about 8 or 10 €.
As far as the 'other editor' mentioned - it gets👎👎👎😡 from me - I have over 25 years experience with many different video editors (20+) both PC and MAC based.
HTH
John EB
@CubeAce - "Your last question is unfortunately getting into fanboy territory..." - Hah....I thought it might but I tried to make it as objective-sounding a question as possible so THANK YOU for giving such a thorough and as objective answer as you have. Much, much appreciated! Your answer along with @johnebaker's is prompting me to stick with trying out VPX then - if the "other editor" doesn't have an obviously huge set of advantages, I see no point in scaling a new, steep learning curve - I may as well enjoy faster performance and a host of new tools with the same/similar UI and workflow straight away.
Thank you all very much for your real-world insights!
I'm off to get this then: https://www.humblebundle.com/software/production-powerhouse-bundle-software
Hi Kevin.
I don't think you will be disappointed personally and certainly a lot easier to get to grips with rather than starting from scratch. It will be a fully registered copy and should be eligible to be used with an upgrade offer price later if you ever want to. It will just be lacking any third party effects that were offered when it was available from the Magix website. They made that clearer on the HumbleBundle website this time around. I too got into VPX from a Humble Bundle offer in the past but I was using MEP before that. You have been video editing longer than I have but I probably use my software on a more regular basis.
I personally don't use Resolve due to its workflow but I know one or two people here that do use it along with other video editing software.
All my software choices that I use are in my + Signature for anyone to see and kept current.
Happy editing. Any problems please come back. A lot of knowledgable people here willing to help out.
Ray.
Just one quick thought.
Something none of the replies mentioned.
Do check your computer specs are good enough to run the programs. If in doubt please ask back here.
Ray.
@CubeAce - thanks again for your thoughts. Yeh, Resolve's workflow wasn't intuitive to me BUT I would persist in learning it if obviously superior, which doesn't seem to be the case (at least, for what I need to do).
Excellent pointer re: specs (and you have a nice set up there yourself ;-). Unfortunately, I couldn't find the spec's for VPX14 on a quick search just then but I think the system I'll be using it on will work? ......
Processor 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-11800H @ 2.30GHz 2.30 GHz
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.7 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 21H2
Installed on 13/11/2021
OS build 19044.2728
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU
Hi Kevin.
Nice laptop whatever it is. If an nvidia 3080 coupled with an 11th gen Intel CPU can't handle it, I'm not sure what can 😂. You should be good for another couple of years upgrades yet 😉👍.
Your system should be well above what is needed providing you have oodles of spare disk space. Can't vouch for 8K HDR projects but should handle anything below that. I work mainly with 4K footage on a much lower specced machine than your own.
People come here and complain that MEP/MMS/VPX is hard to use after coming from another editor so I guess it depends on how a person's brain has adapted to what went before.
I personally like the workflow layout which is similar to how my DAWS work and found it easy to slip into using.
Other people's mileage may vary 🤣.
Ray.
If you can go on YouTube and know which person used what video editor by looking at the video, you have much better eyesight than I do.
Equally you can give two people identical equipment from camera to editing station and one may get vastly superior results over the other. That is one experiment I have tried with a friend and predicted the result correctly.
Ray.
Hi,
With VPX, you will have more toys to play with, but it's the same program. You get a second monitor which can be quite useful and you can use it to see the measuring meters which can greatly help with colour correction and more. You also get the Project Temp Folder. Most users don't use it but I find it very useful. And there is more.
Do not uninstall your previous version of MEP as it may have some effects that have been deprecated and that you have used in your projects that you want to open in VPX. You can find out which ones and copy them over. Also, some effects will still point to the location in MEP, and if you remove it and the video content, you will have to point VPX to the same effects under VPX video content, etc.
John CB
Hi
As @CubeAce commented - nice laptop.
If the laptop has a Hybrid mode that allows both GPU's to be used, my Lenovo Legion does, then turn this on. Not all effects are hardware accelerated on the RTX GPU.
John EB
Thanks again for the thoughts! I got the laptop for 3D/video production but it has since proven useful for generative AI stuff and with this deal, it looks like I'll be circling back to more video stuff. Yes, it has always been more about the artist than the tool s/he wields but it never hurts to have a superior tool (good to hear VPX is one)! Thanks again for all your insights :-)
Hi
Please do not 'hijack' another users topic which has nothing to do with the issue you are having, Create a 'New Post' amd please give more details on the disc you are creating ie:
Which menu template you are using?
Did you make any modifications to the template, if so what?
Disc make and type.
Also see these comments here and here and test using the procedure, with Video Pro X, given there .
Your post above will be hidden.
John EB
Forum Moderator