Video Studio 11+ Basic installation and workflow questions

[andrewm]

I am new to the forum. I have Video Studio 10+ already installed on my PC and have just purchased and downloaded the following 11+ files:

Main 11+ program
Hotfix patch
Contents Pack
Contents bonus Pack

Having read about installation issues, I am a little wary about jumping in and upgrading to 11+ without a plan. My thinking is to do the following:

1. Load the Hotfix patch
2. Load the main 11+ program
3. Load the Contents pack
4. Load the contents bonus pack

I have not configured in to uninstall 10+ prior to executing the above plan. My question is will the plan work OK? Any pitfalls I may have missed? Do I also need to load the Power Pack too as step 5?

My second area of questioning concerns workflow.

I have a Sony HC-3 HD camcorder and have had previous success in downloading and burning standard def DVD's via a standard workflow. I have read the blurb for the 11+ and see that there are options to create HD content on standard DVD's. There is also reference to creating HD content to play on the Playstation 3. Based upon the fact that I have an XBox 360, PS3 and a Toshiba HD-A2 what would be the best means to take my HD content from the HC3 and play as HD output on either of the above devices? Burning some type of DVD would be my preference to streaming content if possible. Ideally, if there is a workflow someone can pint me too I would be very grateful.

I really appreciate any assistance that can be provided.

[Ken Berry]

Do NOT install the Hotfix patch unless and until you have precisely the installation problem described in its note. Most people don't encounter that problem so don't need the Hotfix. Otherwise, yes, Load VS11+ in the order you describe (though the Bonus files are not necessary for the working of VS. They are separate, Bonus programs...)

But I imagine you are aware that on the same page as the Hotfix there are two separate files: an update patch dated 6 November 2007 which you need to install. And also, since you have the PLUS version, the Hot Pack which will upgrade your version to VS11.5+.

You should also go to the Microsoft DirectX website and download the update patch dated November 2007 regardless of whether you are running Vista (DirectX 1) or XP (DirectX 9.0c).

I will leave the high def questions to our resident guru etech, as I have only just bought a high def camera myself, am travelling and so have yet to face the trials and tribulations of editing it!!!

[lespurgeon]

I have heard (not tested) that SOME HD players could playback a HD file saved to a standard DVD. Now you will get less than 1/2 hour of HD-DVD file on a DVD5 - but blanks are cheap, so it would be worth a try.

I'm archiving all my HDV projects onto external Hard Drives until BR burners come down a bit more. Right now I distribute only on DVD, but plan to re-render my projects for BR at some time in the future.