... and you might not upgrade now, but maybe in the future!

HB got me into Vegas, and the ability to upgrade if I wanted to at the upgrade price instead of the full "new" purchase price.

Money is money, and I think these companies understand it. Magix sold about 5000 of this bundle? Everyone got a piece of the money pie they would not have gotten if not for this bundle.

Heck, FXHome has discontinued Ignite Pro, and they are getting money for a discontinued product.

Just to complete, today I got a serial and download link for mercalli v5 from magix Support Germany. Thanks to humblebundle and magix!

@CubeAce @johnebaker @Reyfox @Former user @Photo_G

Hi All

I am a little intrigued to know whether the Humble Bundle version of VPX12 includes the identical original program features / export options, like Dolby Digital SS, the Intermediate Codec aka Prores, MC encoder, that have been withdrawn in VPX13 due to licensing considerations?

And has anyone tried installing VPX12 when there is VPX13 already on their system - so that you can choose to use either version?

Peter

@Scenestealer

Hi Peter.

Yes, it is VPX 12 full version minus any 'offers' and as it is a bought version rather than an upgrade, both VPX 11 and 12 show as available in my Magix account. The same as I have MEP 2018 and MEP 2022 showing.

Ray.

@Scenestealer the HB version of VPX12 has ended. It was a wonderful deal with Mercalli V5 Suite for $25, which alone would have been worth the cost. I do not currently have VPX13, but would think that having VPX12 would not have interfered with 13.

I can not comment on Dolby Digital (I have nothing recorded as such). You can edit 5.1 surround, but I do not see Dolby. I don't see ProRes, but uncompressed AVI Raw and a whole host of UtVideo Codecs that seem to handle YUV420 601 or 709 to 444, and Pro YUV/RGB/RGBA 420-422 10bit and more. I guess it's the same in VPX13. And then, there is Magix own "YUV Lossless".

I guess licensing would drive up the cost of the product, and I don't know by how much. So, I don't think much has changed on that front vs VPX13.

@CubeAce @Reyfox

Hi Ray and Rey

Thanks for the responses. I probably didn't express myself very clearly but was trying to say I was surprised that you could buy a version of VPX12 for 25 bucks that had all the functionality of the original release of VPX12 in terms of export codec options, that have been taken out of the latest offering of VPX13 presumably because of licensing costs.

For example:-

No Dolby Digital 5.1 export encoder (only Stereo), no Prores encoding options ( renamed in VPX12 as "Intermediate Codec" in the "File > Export Movie" options but with all the File Prores formats as in earlier VPX versions), and the Main Concept Encoder option.

So I was wondering if those that have the HB VPX12 offering could confirm that these options are still in there?

Ray - interesting that you have VPX11 on the same machine as VPX12 because most versions in recent years get overwritten by the new version under the updating regime...but I guess this was because they were outright purchases from a source other than Magix?

Peter

@Scenestealer below is what I see when I select File>Export. There is no listing for Intermediate in Export anywhere I've looked. The same with Dolby anything. I don't know if having a Dolby file would trigger an option to download it like Main Concept, which I was able to download when going to Help>Install Extra Content when I first installed the software.

If you can give me an exact naming of the intermediate codec and a setting or two, I can hunt for that. What I have done is import a ProRes file into VPX12 (I do have QT installed but not QT browser extension) and it went as it should. No problems with playback. The ProRes file I made is from Vegas Pro. You can customize the template for the ProRes export.

As a side note: Resolve Studio 17 (I own it) does not have ProRes export either. It used to.

You get what you pay for! 😂

@AAProds yes, $25 for Mercalli V5 Suite was great! And since I don't work with Dolby, VPX12 is an awesome deal when it was available including the 2 Ignite Pro addons. Also, there is uncompressed and a host of other options in AVI that I am sure could function as an intermediate file to transport.

Use the right tool for the right job.

@Scenestealer

Hi Peter.

Ray - interesting that you have VPX11 on the same machine as VPX12 because most versions in recent years get overwritten by the new version under the updating regime...but I guess this was because they were outright purchases from a source other than Magix?

I don't think I ever said that. I do have access to both versions in my Magix account but VPX 12 does overwrite VPX 11.

However, If I uninstalled VPX 12 I could re-install VPX 11. I also assume if I had three computers I could install VPX 11 on a third machine as it would have a separate licence agreement.

I too am not sure what you mean by an intermediate codec. VPX 11 if I remember correctly could export to mov. and if the main concept encoder was enabled at that point may have allowed an export to ProRes 422.

That is missing in VPX 12.

However, if you know how and have the wherewithal, (and enough audio channels) it is possible to export to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, again via the main concept encoder.

From VPX 12.

And I am not using a 5.1 surround sound source, just a mono track from the video. (It would not sound great) 🤣🤞. I have tested this in the past with better sound sources in

The probable withdrawal of the Main Concept encoder was its ability to do this and the problem for Dolby Labs was not all copies of encoders used by Adobe and other program providers were giving the proportion of royalties to Dolby Labs that they were due, so Dolby stopped providing licensing agreements and went to court. As far as I'm aware that is still ongoing but Dolby has widened its actions so I'm not sure at what point encoding will ever be re-established or who exactly it now affects.

Ray.

@CubeAce

Hi Ray

Sorry for jumping to the wrong conclusion about VPX11 and VPX12 coexisting on your machine.

....it is possible to export to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, again via the main concept encoder.

It is also possible to export in my version of VPX12 18.0.1.85 with the default encoder if you use the AVCHD Mpeg4 export template and change the AC3 audio dropdown from stereo to surround.

In regards to the Intermediate Codec (AKA Prores) - this post explains it pretty well:

http://www.magix.info/us/forum/prores-support--1274267/#ca1670356

2. VPX up to V18.0.1.85 could import and export most Prores files but the export codec was renamed as Intermediate codec with all the ProRes formats available. Magix withdrew that export option in V18.0.1.89.

I did not update to the last VPX12 Patch so I still have that option.

@Reyfox

Which version/patch number of VPX12 do you have?

In my version 18.0.1.85 the export template preset .prs files were in this directory

The Intermediate Codec Export option appeared as the last video export format in your first screen shot.

Both VPX and MEP recent versions can import and play Prores .MOV files if QT player is on the system but can not export to Prores, and as you mentioned elsewhere you should not install the web player because that is where the security vulnerability is supposed to lay.

As you have found the Prores files generally play very smoothly because they are very lowly compressed (big file size) Intraframe codecs, which begs another question - how come they play without a payment when other Intra codecs like AVC Intra need to be purchased.....?

Peter

@Scenestealer the version number I have is different than yours. 18.0.1.95 (UDP3)

Looking at your directory screenshot, I can't find the exact folders you listed. And doing a search for ProRes yielded nothing in the ProgramData>Magix>Video Pro X folder. If I go down one more level, the only folder present is UserData which is empty. Searching the entire ProgramData folder for ProRes gave results for Hitfilm Pro and VirtualDub.

@Scenestealer @Reyfox

Hi Peter.

So I assume I would still have that capability if I uninstalled VPX 12 and re-installed VPX 11?

Who knew (rhetorical) 😉🤐

Ray.

@Scenestealer, @Reyfox, @CubeAce

Hi

Patch 18.0.1.89 had the 2 following items in the release notes:

• Removed: "Extended audio package" - Removes AC-3 import/export on Windows 7 and 5.1 Surround export on Windows 8/10)
   
• Removed: Import/export files via "MAGIX Intermediate codec".

The first item removed was a result of the Dolby licensing issues that affected many video editors.

. . . . So I assume I would still have that capability if I uninstalled VPX 12 and re-installed VPX 11? . . . .

As the Dolby removal was patched to earlier versions of MEP, and I suspect VPX and earlier versions, I would assume the same could occur for the Intermediate codec - unfortunately I have few release notes for VPX 11 and earlier versions, additionally those in the news forum are 'patchy' for VPX 12 and 11.

John EB

It's nice when things are removed within a "version" series as it is "updated".

@johnebaker @Scenestealer @Reyfox @Photo_G @Jrg-Malejka @AAProds

Hi John.

My VPX 11 manual has the following exerts.

P361

Video as Intermediate Codec Intermediate Codec is an HD-enabled video format high quality in spite of low data rates. The format supports high-quality color spaces (4:2:2, 4:4:4), alpha channels and Deep Color color spaces with 10 and 12 bit.

P393

AAC audio Note: The preset values and status of the control element (locked/unlocked) depend on the selected export preset. Sample rate: Here you can see the sample rate for audio encoding. Channels: Determines the number of audio channels. • Stereo: 2 channels, one for the left side and one for the right. • Surround: 6 channels (5.1) Bitrate (kBit/s): The desired bit rate is entered here. Audio encoder: Shows which audio encoder is being used.

P394

MPEG-4 encoder settings MPEG-4 is actually a collection of highly efficient codecs for video and audio based on the MPEG standard. Compared to MPEG-2, the same quality can be achieved with smaller file size. Recommendation: Check the presets that the program offers to find the right preset for each application and the right playback device. These presets are optimized for typical applications. The advanced settings in "Advanced" are divided into "Video", "Audio", and "Multiplexer". Under "Video“ there is a choice between "MPEG-4 Simple" (MPEG-4 Visual/MPEG-4 Part 2) (view page 399)and "MPEG-4 H.264" (AVC/MPEG-4 Part 10) (view page 395). Depending on the purpose of application of the material to be exported, either one of these encoder settings can be selected for compressing the video material. Refer to the manual for the playback device to find out which encoder is supported. Under "Audio", "AAC" (view page 403) is preset. If you have chosen an AVCHD transport stream from the presets, "AVCHD audio track" will be available.

I seem to remember all of these bits working with my Humble Bundle version of VPX 11.

The question though is did I actually need any of it?

While I have enjoyed playing around with 5.1 surround sound files in the past and in theory I could upload a video to YouTube that could play such a video back, not everyone can hear the playback in 5.1 surround sound and if not mixed well the playback in stereo can be a bad experience.

It would have been nice to be able to import more file types though.

One last thought.

I don't know how much I can rely on the manuals' information as it is too generic, sometimes referring to Video deluxe Pro instead of VPX.

It would seem it is not just the program that has unresolved bugs over time but the manuals need a complete overhaul.

Ray.

@Reyfox

Definitely looks like Prores export in any shape or form has gone in your version.

.....the version number I have is different than yours. 18.0.1.95 (UDP3)

Was that the number it installed at, or was it the first version of 18 and then you applied online updates to get it to .95?

@johnebaker @CubeAce

As the Dolby removal was patched to earlier versions of MEP, and I suspect VPX and earlier versions,

Was it though? Or is it just that you could no longer download the DD expansion package when required, from Magix server?

Peter

@Scenestealer

Hi Peter.

I wish I had a second machine to re-install VPX 11 from the Magix servers to answer that question for you as I really don't like to uninstall programs and then re-install them later.

I do have copies of the following files on a couple of my backup disks though as well as to a cloned C: drive.

I don't know if any of what is needed is buried away in there or not.

Ray.

@Scenestealer the version of VPX12 (18.xxxx) is the one I received from Humble Bundle. I "think" it's the final release version, which would have removed (IIRC) things that were present in previous builds.

That to me (if it's the case) is terrible if you bought it with what is now missing in later updates.

In Vegas land, you can always go back to a previous versions in case an update doesn't work well on your computer. With say Vegas Pro 19, you can download the original release and/or separate installation files for each of the updates for 19 after it's release. And this goes back to previous versions of Vegas.

In my Magix account, I downloaded the installation file for VPX12. It does have a different file name than the one from HB, but not sure if the downloaded version will be any different than what I already have. Busy weekend, so maybe Monday, I'll give it a shot.

@Reyfox

Hi.

As the Humble Bundled VXP 12 downloaded and installed without having to individually install update patches I doubt if re-downloading it from the Magix site will make any difference as the initial download would have come from their servers anyway.

Ray.

@CubeAce you are probably right. I was thinking that there would be no difference either. But it's an exercise in "hope" that there might be. But I seriously doubt it.

@Reyfox

Hi.

You can call me jaded or sceptical and even a conspiracy theorist if you like, but it seems to me all these changes to the various programs within the Magix sphere of influence now separates the abilities of each of their editing programs capabilities the further up the price point the consumer goes. The same goes for the subscription models. This has been ongoing since the introduction of the first Infusion Engine versions of the programs.

I think business is getting tougher for all the competing developers out there and they need both a clear set of programs for consumers to decide what level of requirements they need and the company needs a steady predictable income to survive.

I know some people think that because there are two sets of forums that there are two lots of users and that perhaps the two should never be discussed on the same forums but the truth is they are all part of the same ecosphere and in my personal opinion both should be welcomed onto one forum.

I think that would help, not hinder. Having all the users and people who know about each program would give better answers to those needing them and we would all learn more and not have to keep redirecting inquiries and wasting time and effort in such replies.

I know the above has little to do with the current discussion but look through all of the Magix offerings specs now and there are clear differences in capabilities regarding import / export options as well as editing capabilities.

I also realise both have different work flows and may be the main reason there are two forums but at present it is an insane arrangement and somehow should in my opinion be integrated.

Ray.