Sony Vegas: Opinions?

[Kaboom]

Okay, pretty straightforward here.

Right now, I have two options in terms of video editing software: Windows Movie Maker 5, and Pinnacle Studio 9. WMM is easy and reliable, but can't handle the sheer amount of quick cuts, effects, etc. that makes a music video, and, quite simply, doesn't have that much in terms of effects to begin with. But it's better than Studio, which is a frustrating piece of crap that will work with practically none of my footage, constantly freezes and/or crashes, takes millions of (figurative) years to do anything, and also thinks that I'm giddy as a sugared-up schoolgirl about having to seperately buy practically all of the audio and video effects, transitions, titles, etc... So naturally, I've been keeping an eye out for better programs. Adobe Premiere is what I looked at first, but it's way too expensive for me, and I probably couldn't use it to it's $900 fullest without some sort of degree in this stuff, anyhoo.

So the other day, in Target, I saw "Sony Vegas Movie Studio + DVD." I picked it up (literally picked it up, not in the buying sense), looked it over, and thought, "Hey, this could be just what I'm looking for."

From what I could tell from the box, as well as reading some reviews online, it seems like a pretty decent program. It has multiple layers for both Video and Audio, a very decent amount of effects, and is apparently very good in terms of compatible file formats, all for $90. The Platinum edition, for $120, has even more in terms of effects, output options, and such.

So, I'm asking if anyone else who may use or be more familiar with the program could give me any heads-ups, good or bad. I'm particularly interested in just how "welcoming" it is of different file formats, since that's my biggest issue with Pinnacle.

Either way, I'm gonna try the Free Trial. I'll see how it turns out.

[Kaboom]

Pardon the topic bump, but I'm putting forth the question again, since I've gotten some money, and am planning on picking up Vegas. Any comments from anyone who uses it or has researched it would be appreciated.

[Eclipse]

I'm currently using Vegas at the moment to make a new AMV (straightfoward upgrade from WMM), and I have to say, it is great. The effects and transitions are pretty excellent, I've discovered a lot of stuff you can't do in WMM (Overlays, reversed clips, easy flashes! hah). The best part about it I suppose is that it is far better at handling all that stuff.

So yeah. It's pretty good. Easy to use too.

[Kaboom]

Thank god, a reply!

Thanks. Just the kinda answer I was looking for. Anything bad or annoying I should watch out for, though?