Sony Creative Software has announced Vegas Pro 8, the newest version of its nonlinear editing (NLE) software. Vegas Pro 8 provides professional editors with precise control over complex DV, HDV and XDCAM projects through powerful tools for editing material shot in multi-camera environments. Vegas Pro 8 will be available September 10, 2007.

"Vegas Pro 8 solves many of the technical challenges creative professionals are currently facing as they are tasked with producing content for platforms as varied as the mobile screen to high definition, broadcast-quality video," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of marketing for Sony Creative Software. "Equipped with a new 32-bit floating point video engine, Vegas Pro 8 delivers increased quality and accuracy of final output while handling a 10-bit serial digital interface (SDI) at full capacity, which is used for transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals."

Now fully Microsoft Vista-compatible, Vegas Pro 8 delivers broadcast-ready, high definition content through its flexible user interface and extensive professional toolset. Vegas Pro 8 now features a ProType titler for superior vector-based title generation and automation. New specialized template support for developing digital signage provides tools and features for portrait style video authoring required for enhancing visual displays at retail shops, trade shows and other events requiring compelling imagery at the 9:16 resolution.

The software also offers enhanced scripting capabilities for automating complex workflows in addition to providing new capabilities for editing and delivering Sony AVCHD content. Sony Vegas Pro 8 also introduces a new channel-based mixing console and other audio enhancements, continuing its legacy as the most optimized solution for integrating audio within the video production environment. Also included with Vegas Pro 8 is DVD Architect 4.5, which has been updated with a total of 44 professional design themes.

Sony Creative Software is also introducing interactive tutorials with the release of the Vegas Pro 8 application. These tutorials allow users to learn more effectively by taking an active role in training, while actually accomplishing the task at hand as they complete the lesson. The interactive tutorials provide an easy transition for users adapting from a more traditional nonlinear editing system to the new and progressive workflow of Vegas Pro 8.

New Video Features:

• ProType titler.
• Multicamera Workflow.
• 32-Bit Floating Point Video Processing.
• Digital Signage and Portrait style video editing.
• Thought Equity Motion Footage Search - An exclusive, integrated plug-in designed to streamline the acquisition of stock footage. Includes content from Sony Pictures, National Geographic, HBO and more with a special section provided for registered Vegas Pro 8 users.

New Audio Features:

• Audio Mixing Console.
• Audio Routing Enhancements.
• Tempo-based audio effects.
• Support for opening and rendering FLAC files.

New Format Features:

• No recompression when rendering long-GOP video formats.
• Sony AVCHD Read and write Support.
• Burn timeline to Blu-ray discs.
• XDCAM FAM mode trimmed conform.

New General Features:

• Single-monitor full screen video preview.
• Extensive Scripting Extensions programming API.
• Interactive tutorials.

Vegas Pro 8 software will be demonstrated at the Sony Creative Software booth #9-131 at the IBC 2007 trade show, September 7-11. Visit the Sony Creative Software booth for a complete schedule and session overviews.

Vegas Pro 8 will be available on September 10 from the Company's extensive worldwide network of retail and academic dealers, as well as from the Sony Creative Software website. Localized versions in German, French, Spanish and Japanese will be available in November 2007. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the software is $699.95. Upgrade pricing is available for current Vegas users.