Step 1: Start Vegas Pro 8 or 9 and click on File->Properties. The Project Properties dialog is shown at right. In the Video tab, click on the dropdown box for Template.

For 1280 x 720 projects, we're going to start with the HDV 720-24p template and create a new template. This doesn;t mean we're editing HDV! We are just using the Template as a convenient starting point.
Step 2: After selecting the template, type in a new template name (for example, RAYLIGHT 720-24P).

The following settings are OK and don't need to be changed: Width = 1280, height = 720, field order None, Pixel aspect ratio 1.0.

  • Set the frame rate to 23.976 (or 25.0 for 25P projects).
  • Choose a file folder on your media drive for Prerendered files.
  • In the Audio tab, set the sample rate to 48,000 Hz.
  • None of the other settings need to be changed.
  • Then save the template by clicking the disk drive icon.

For 1080P projects, use the HD 1080-24p template and change the frame rate to 25 for 25P projects.
Step 3: Editing You are now ready to start editing by using the File Explorer to bring MXF files into Vegas. (Note: if you are importing MXF files, please refer to the section on the Vegas Plug-in.) When you playback from the Vegas timeline, be sure to select the Preview Quality setting to "Preview (Auto)" (see below):

The Vegas Preview Window with Raylight Control Panel

Remember to use the Raylight Control Panel described in Part 1 of this tutorial, and placed as shown above to set the quality level during playback. If the playback is not smooth, reduce the quality level to Yellow or Red. If you need higher resolution, increase the quality level to Yellow or Blue. If you change the size of the preview window toggle the Vegas quality setting from Preview Auto to Preview Full and then back to Preview Auto for best results.

Note: when using MXF files in the timeline, Raylight Red works the same as Yellow.

Step 4: Export a Movie

Remember to select Raylight Violet before rendering your movie for presentation!!

Playback on the HVX: see Part 6, P2 Authoring.

or a DVD Movie Export a finished movie to widescreen DVD format. Click on File->Render and select Main Concept MPEG-2 file 23.976 fps with 3:2 pulldown, widescreen, if you shot and edited at 24P. The audio should be exported to the Dolby Digital AC-3 format. Burn the disk with DVD Architect. For more information refer to the Sony Vegas/DVD Architect help facility.

or HD-WM9 Export a Windows Media 9 HD movie file at 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080. Use 23.976 frames/sec if you shot and edited at 24P. We recommend constant bit rate (CBR) at about 6Mbits/sec for starters, but you can experiment with VBR (variable bit rate) or other CBR's. This format can be burned to a DVD data disk and some DVD players can play it back on either an HD-capable computer system or HD-capable television. For more information refer to the Sony Vegas help facility or Microsoft's HD-WM9 website, see here and here.

or Uncompressed AVI Export an uncompressed AVI for archive or transfer to film or HDCAM-24P. Click on File->Render and select the Video for Windows file format. Then click on Custom Settings and select the options shown below:
  • For frame size, select HDV 1280 x 720.
  • For frame rate select 23.976.
  • For field order, select None (progressive scan).
  • For Pixel aspect ratio, set to 1.0
  • For Video format, select Uncompressed
  • For Interleave, select every .250 seconds.
  • Select "Create an OpenDML... file".
  • In the Audio tab, select 48000 Hz sample rate, 16-bit, stereo.


The resulting AVI can then be delivered on a Firewire or USB external hard drive to DVFilm for transfer to 24P-HDCAM or 35mm film.
(Technical Detail: For cross-platform compatible backups, make an MXF file by using the P2 Maker application (see Part 6). MXF files can be imported into many other HVX-capable editing systems such as Avid, Edius and Final Cut Pro.)

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