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9.Click Finish. Your project will be rendered to the file you specified in step 6.
 If you’re using Manual mode, a dialog will be displayed after rendering is finished. You can specify a 
delay time in the 
Delay playback countdown timer box and select the Beep each second during countdown 
check box if you want to count down before sending video to your device.
 If you’re using Crash Recording mode, your DV recorder will start and begin recording after rendering is 
finished.
Printing a rendered file to HDV tape
This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software and in Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software.
Use this procedure when you have a rendered MPEG 2 transport stream that you want to print to HDV tape.
Important: If you are printing a rendered file to HDV tape, 
the file must precisely conform to the target HDV device and 
file type requirements, or the print-to-tape operation will fail. 
Rendering using the provided HDV MPEG-2 render 
templates—unmodified in any way—is required to 
successfully print to HDV tape. 
1.Load your HDV project. 
2.To print just a portion of your project, make a time selection in the timeline.
3.From the To o l s menu, choose Print Video to HDV Tape. The HDV Print to Tape - Device page is displayed.
4.Choose your HDV camera or deck from the Device drop-down list. 
5.Click Next. The HDV Print to Tape - Select Format/File page is displayed.
6.Choose the file you want to print:
a.Select the Use an existing file radio button. 
b.In the File path box, type the path to the file you want to print, or click the Browse button to choose the 
file you want to print. 
7.Click Next. The HDV Print to Tape - Device Control page is displayed.
8.Select the Manual or Use device control radio button to indicate whether Vegas software will have control 
of your HDV recorder:
 Select Manual if your HDV device is not OHCI-compliant or if the application is unable to obtain 
device control of your HDV recorder. You will need to cue the tape and press the Record button on your 
HDV recorder before recording.
 Select Crash Recording if you are using an OHCI-compliant IEEE-1394 HDV device and the application 
is able to obtain device control of your HDV recorder. Recording will begin automatically at the 
specified timecode position when you click Finish.
9.Click Finish. 
 If you’re using Manual mode, a dialog will be displayed before printing begins. You can specify a delay 
time in the 
Delay playback countdown timer box and select the Beep each second during countdown check 
box if you want to count down before sending video to your device.
 If you’re using Crash Recording mode, your HDV recorder will start and begin recording after you click 
the 
Finish button. 
						

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Printing to tape using Video Capture
1.If you have not already done so, connect your video camera to your video capture card using the cable 
provided with the card.
2.In the Project Media window, click the Capture Video button (). The Sony Video Capture application 
starts.
Note: If your video camera is properly connected, the Video 
Preview window in the center of the application area should 
display “Device connected.”
3.Follow the instructions for printing to tape provided in the Video Capture online help. To access online 
help, click the 
Help menu within the Sony Video Capture application, and choose Contents and Index. 
The Video Capture online help file displays. 
						

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CHP. 18CUSTOMIZING VEGAS SOFTWARE
CHAPTER329
Customizing Vegas 
software
You can customize Vegas® software to suit your project needs and working preferences. Many of the settings 
depend on your equipment or studio setup. Vegas software can be set to work with the components that you 
use in your studio.
In this chapter, you will find information about functions that allow you to customize the appearance of 
Vegas software, set a project’s properties, and set the application’s preferences.
Displaying frame numbers
You can display frame numbers on video events. Once you 
have enabled frame numbering, a small box appears at the 
bottom of the event thumbnail with the frame offset, time or 
timecode. The small black arrow marks the exact position of 
that frame in time. 
When the workspace is zoomed in far enough, each thumbnail 
represents a single numbered frame in the source video file. At 
intermediate zoom levels, marks between the frame numbers 
show the location of intermediate frames. These frame marks 
are not visible at lower magnifications. 
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences. 
2.Click the Video tab.
3.Choose an option from the Show source frame numbers on event thumbnails as drop-down list.
4.Click OK. 
Changing the ruler format
You can customize the ruler to display a number of different standard formats. The format that you select 
affects how the ruler and time display window display time units. For more information, see Timecode in Vegas 
software on page 374.
To change the ruler’s format, right-click the ruler and choose the desired time format from the shortcut 
menu or, from the 
Options menu, choose Ruler Format and choose the desired time unit. You can also 
change ruler settings on the Project Properties dialog’s 
Ruler tab. For more information, see Ruler tab on page 
334.
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The following are the different time units available (hh=hours, mm=minutes, ss=seconds, and ff=frames): 
Editing the ruler offset
The ruler doesn’t necessarily need to start with zero at the far left side. You can enter an offset to change the 
orientation of the ruler in a project. One use of this is to create a lead-in into a project. A five-second offset 
would mean that the ruler would start at -5 seconds and would be at 0 five seconds into the project.
Note: You cannot create a ruler offset in an audio CD 
layout project.
1.Position the cursor at the desired location along the timeline.
2.Right-click the ruler and choose Set Time at Cursor from the shortcut menu. The 
current ruler value is highlighted.
3.Enter a time value. 
4.Press  to set the ruler’s time. The value that you enter at the cursor’s position affects the entire ruler.
Time format nameUnits
Samplesnumbered (starting with zero)
Timehh:mm.ss.sss
Secondssssss.sss (to three decimal places)
Time & Frameshh:mm:ss.ff
Absolute Framesframes are numbered starting with 0
Measures & Beatsmeasures.beats.ticks, where 64 ticks = 1 beat
Feet & Frames 16mm (40 fpf)feet+frames, where 40 frames = 1 foot
Feet & Frames 35mm (16 fpf)feet+frames, where 16 frames = 1 foot
SMPTE Film Sync IVTC (23.976 fps, Video) 
(available only in the full version of Vegas)hh:mm:ss:ff
SMPTE Film Sync (24 fps)
(available only in the full version of Vegas)hh:mm:ss:ff
SMPTE EBU (25 fps, Video)hh:mm:ss:ff
SMPTE Non-Drop (29.97 fps, Video)hh:mm:ss:ff
SMPTE Drop (29.97 fps, Video)hh:mm:ss:ff
SMPTE 30 (30 fps, Audio)hh:mm:ss:ff
Audio CD Timehh:mm:ss or hh:mm:ss:ff when zoomed in tightly
Enter 
						

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Changing grid spacing
Grid spacing is different from the ruler and provides an alternate method of subdividing a project’s time. 
This can be useful if you want the ruler to display SMPTE video timecode, but you need to create your music 
in terms of beats and measures. You can display the grid spacing in time, frame, measure, or note units. The 
grid can also be set to match the ruler’s time format. The grid appears across all tracks in your project and the 
grid’s lines can be used as snap points.
To change grid spacing, choose Grid Spacing from the Options menu, and choose the desired time unit from 
the submenu. The grid spacing changes to reflect your selection.
Note: In some cases, the grid lines and the ruler do not 
match. This is because they are two independent functions. 
Using the Time Display window
The Time Display window reflects the cursor’s position on the timeline and the end point of a time 
selection. You can customize the time display’s settings, including what time the window displays and what 
colors it uses.
You can move the Time Display window from its docked position above the track list to float on the 
workspace. In addition, you can dock the time display in the window docking area. For more information, see 
Window docking area and floating window docks on page 24.
Changing the time display settings
The time display always reflects the ruler settings that are selected. You can change the ruler settings via the 
time display or vice versa. For more information, see Changing the ruler format on page 329.
1.Right-click the time display. A shortcut menu appears.
2.From the shortcut menu, choose Time Format, and choose the desired time format from the submenu.
Both the time display and ruler display the chosen time format.
Ruler and grid increments can be different. 
This new project is set with Ruler = SMPTE non-drop and Grid = Quarter notes. 
						

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Changing the time display colors
You can change the background color and text color used in the time display.
1.Right-click the time display to display the shortcut menu.
2.From the shortcut menu, choose Text Color or Background Color and then choose Custom. The Time 
Display Color dialog appears. 
3.Choose the color setting that you want.
4.Click OK to set the text or background color or click Cancel to keep the existing color settings and close 
the dialog.
Tip: To return the time display’s text or background color to 
its default settings, choose either 
Text Color or Background 
Color
 from the shortcut menu, and choose Default from the 
submenu.
Setting the time display to monitor MIDI timecode
You can use the time display to monitor the status of incoming or outgoing MIDI timecode. Vegas software 
can monitor MIDI timecode being generated from an external device or monitor MIDI timecode and MIDI 
clock information generated by Vegas software. From within Vegas software, the time display settings work 
in conjunction with your project’s properties and MIDI setup options. For more information, see Sync tab on 
page 344.
1.Right-click the time display.
2.From the shortcut menu, choose the type of MIDI monitoring to be displayed.
Once you have made your selection, the time display displays both the MIDI timecode being input or output 
and a status message.
Monitors incoming MIDI timecode
Monitors MIDI timecode generated by Vegas soft
w
Monitors MIDI clock generated by Vegas software 
						

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Working with project properties
A large range of formats and various types of media files are 
supported. Some settings in a project’s properties
 are simply 
informational details about the project, while others 
control how your project is handled and its output. If you 
have multiple projects, the settings used for each project are 
stored. These settings can be saved as templates for future 
use.
To view and modify project properties, choose Properties 
from the 
File menu. The Project Properties dialog has five 
tabs: 
Video, Audio, Ruler, Summary, and Audio CD. An 
overview of each tab and its settings follows. 
Video tab
This tab allows you to set different characteristics the 
project uses to handle the video. Also, this tab displays 
information about the video contained in your project. For 
more information, see Modifying project video properties on page 
238.
Audio tab
This tab allows you to set different characteristics the project uses to handle the audio. This page also 
displays the available drive space where recorded audio is stored.
ItemDescription
Master bus modeChoose Stereo to create a two-channel stereo project. Choose 5.1 Surround if you want to perform advanced 
5.1-channel mixing. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Number of stereo bussesEnter the number of stereo busses that you want in your project. You may add up to 25 additional busses. The 
busses appear in the Mixer. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Sample rate (Hz)Choose a sample rate from the drop-down list or enter your own rate. The sample rate range is 2,000 Hz to 
96,000 Hz. Higher sample rates result in better quality sound, but also mean larger audio files.
Bit depthChoose a bit depth from the drop-down list. A higher bit depth results in better quality sound, but also means 
larger audio files.
Resample and stretch qualityChoose Preview, Good, or Best to determine the accuracy with which audio files will be resampled to match 
your project settings. This setting also determines the quality of processing when time-stretching audio events.
Enable low-pass filter on LFE 
(surround projects only)Applies a low-pass filter to each track in a 5.1 surround project that is assigned to the LFE channel. Available 
only in the full version of Vegas software.
Cutoff frequency for low-pass 
filter (Hz)Choose a frequency to set the frequency above which audio will be ignored by the LFE channel. Available only 
in the full version of Vegas software.
Low-pass filter qualityChoose Preview, Good, or Best to determine the sharpness of the filter’s rolloff curve. Best produces the 
sharpest curve. Available only in the full version of Vegas software.
Recorded files folderDisplays the path where recorded audio is stored. The Browse button allows you to select a new location to 
store recordings.
Free storage space in selected 
folderDisplays the available disk space where recorded audio is stored.
Start all new projects with 
these settingsUse the project properties that you have specified whenever a new project is created. 
						

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Ruler tab
This tab allows you to change ruler settings used in your project. You can also change ruler settings in track 
view. For more information, see Changing the ruler format on page 329.
Summary tab
This tab allows you to enter information about the project. You can leave the boxes on this tab blank or, if 
information exists, you can change it at any time.
Audio CD tab
This tab is available only in the full version of Vegas software.
This tab allows you to enter information used when burning audio CDs.
Using the toolbar
The main toolbar is automatically displayed below the menu bar. However, you may hide and customize the 
toolbar to suit your preferences. The settings that you apply to the toolbar remain set until you change them 
again.
Hiding and displaying the toolbar
If you prefer to use shortcut keys when working with your project, you may hide the toolbar to create more 
workspace. Choose 
Toolbar from the View menu to hide it. The check mark next to the command is 
removed and the toolbar disappears. The toolbar remains hidden until you choose 
Toolbar from the View 
menu to display it again.
ItemDescription
Ruler time formatChoose a ruler time format from the drop-down list.
Ruler start timeEnter a value that the ruler will use at the beginning of your project. This feature is useful for synchronization 
purposes.
Beats per minuteEnter the desired number of beats per minute for the project. 
Beats per measureEnter the desired number of beats to occur per measure for the project.
Note that gets one beatThe value entered will determine the time signature used by the ruler when its format is set to Measures and 
Beats. For example, if the entered value is 4, then a quarter note gets one beat.
Start all new projects with 
these settingsUse the project properties that you have specified whenever a new project is created.
PropertyDescription
TitleEnter the name or title of the open project.
ArtistEnter the name of the narrator, band, or artist(s) being recorded into the project.
EngineerEnter the name(s) of the people who mixed and edited the project.
CopyrightEnter the date and ownership rights of the project.
CommentsEnter information that identifies and describes the project.
Start all new projects with 
these settingsUse the project properties that you have specified whenever a new project is 
created.
PropertyDescription
Universal Product Code/Media 
Catalog NumberIf your CD-R device supports writing UPC/MCN codes, you may specify the value in this field. If you leave the 
field blank, no UPC/MCN value will be written to the CD. Otherwise, the value consists of 13 digits. 
First track number on discThis sets the number for the first track on the disc. 
						

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Reordering toolbar buttons
You can change the main toolbar’s button order to suit your preferences. The Customize Toolbar dialog 
allows you to control the order and functionality available on the main toolbar. You may return the toolbar 
to its default settings by clicking the
 Reset button.
1.From the Options menu, choose Customize Toolbar. The Customize Toolbar dialog appears.
2.In the Current toolbar buttons list, select the button that you want to move and click Move Up or Move Down.
3.Click Close to save the toolbar changes and close the dialog.
Adding buttons to the toolbar
A series of buttons are included that you may add to the main toolbar. These buttons are listed in the 
Customize Toolbar dialog. You may also add separators on the toolbar to organize the buttons to suit your 
preferences.
You may return the toolbar to its default settings by clicking the Reset button on the dialog.
1.From the Options menu, choose Customize Toolbar. The Customize Toolbar dialog appears.
2.In the Available toolbar buttons list, use the scroll bars to locate the button that you want to add, and then 
select it.
3.On the Current toolbar buttons pane, select the button that you want the newly added button to proceed in 
order.
4.Click Add. The new button is added above the selected button in the Current toolbar buttons list.
Note: You may also double-click a button to add it to the 
toolbar.
5.Click Close to save the toolbar settings and close the dialog.
Removing buttons from the toolbar
You may remove buttons and separators from the main toolbar. If you have added buttons to the toolbar, 
removing unused or unwanted buttons allows you to maximize the toolbar’s space. 
1.From the Options menu, choose Customize Toolbar. The Customize Toolbar dialog appears.
2.On the Current toolbar buttons pane, select the button that you want to remove.
3.Click Remove. The button is removed from the Current toolbar buttons pane and will not appear on the 
toolbar.
4.Click Close to save the toolbar settings and exit the dialog. 
						

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Setting preferences
The preferences options are different from project properties. Project properties are unique to each project, 
while preferences affect how Vegas software functions. Any changes that you make to the preferences remain 
set until you change them again or reset Vegas software to use the default presets. 
You can access the Preferences dialog by choosing Preferences from the Options menu. This dialog contains 
tabbed pages. The following sections explain the settings on each tab.
Important: Not all preferences listed here are available in 
all versions of Vegas.
General tab
The General tab includes a variety of settings. The following is a list of these preferences and their meaning.
PreferenceDescription
Automatically open last project 
on startupWhen Vegas software is run, the last project saved automatically opens.
Show logo splash screen on 
startupBriefly shows the Vegas software logo while the program is loading. The logo does not increase loading time.
Animate video frames in 
TrimmerAnimates the thumbnail representations of frames in a media file opened in the Trimmer. This can visually aid 
trimming.
Prompt to keep files after 
recordingOpens a dialog where you can enter a name and select a location where audio will be saved after recording 
into a track. 
Create undos for FX parameter 
changesAllows you to undo changes made in the FX, Transition, Event Pan/Crop and Track Motion windows.
Confirm media file deletion when 
still in useWhen deleting media in the Explorer or Project Media windows, Vegas software warns you if any events in the 
project are using these files.
Double-click on media file loads 
into Trimmer instead of tracksThe default Explorer double-click behavior is to insert an event at the cursor position on the timeline. Select 
this option to open the media file in the Trimmer instead.
Show Trimmer history with file 
name first, then folderThe Trimmer history drop-down list displays the media file’s name first, followed by the folder it is in. Select 
this to reverse the names.
Automatically save Trimmer 
markers and regions with media 
fileMarkers and regions created at the media file level in the Trimmer can be saved to the file.
Show progress in Video Preview 
window while renderingFrames can be displayed in the Video Preview during a render. This will slow a render somewhat.
Save active prerenders on project 
closeFull quality preview renders are cleaned up and deleted when a project is closed, Select this if you want these 
prerendered files to be available later.
Close media files when not the 
active applicationThis allows media files to be edited in external editors (audio, image, etc.) while they are contained in events.
Close audio and MIDI ports when 
Vegas is not the active applicationSelect this check box if you want Vegas software to close audio and MIDI ports when you switch to another 
application.
Enable multimedia keyboard 
supportThis allows you to use a multimedia keyboard to control playback of a project.
Render large Wave files as 
Wave64The WAV format is limited by a maximum file size of ~2GB. You can choose to render larger files as 
Wave64™ files.
Automatically name regions and 
markers if not playingWhen regions and markers are added, this option automatically prompts you for a name. This does not 
happen when adding markers on-the-fly during playback.
Ignore third party DV codecsClear this check box to enable third-party DV codecs.
Use Microsoft DV codecVegas software uses the Sony Media Software DV codec (which offers improved DV video quality over the 
Microsoft codec) as a default. Select this option to have Vegas software use the Microsoft codec to read DV 
files instead.
Strictly conform to AVI2 
specificationSelect this option to create 100% AVI2 compliant files. While these files conform to the standards, not all 
applications follow these specifications and some programs may not be able to read them.
Disable multi-processor AVI 
renderingSuspends dual processor rendering for AVI files. Selecting this option does not affect other dual processor 
operations.
Allow pulldown removal when 
opening 24p DVSelect this option to have Vegas software remove pulldown on DV video files in 24 fps progressive-scan (24p) 
format. When this check box is cleared, Vegas software will open 24p files as 29.97 fps interlaced video (60i).