Vegas Pro 8, the nonlinear audio and video-editing package by Sony Creative Software, now includes in-application access to Though Equity Motion's footage library.
According to Thought Equity CEO Kevin Schaff, this integration of motion content into an editing application is the first in the industry. The exclusive application plug-in is designed to streamline the acquisition of stock footage. The feature allows editors to find, import and edit Though Equity clips without leaving the Vegas Pro desktop environment.
The in-application search interface provides access to stock footage content from Sony Pictures, National Geographic, HBO and other collections in Though Equity's inventory. A special section is provided for registered Vegas Pro 8 users. Import and editing functions are available in various formats, including high-definition HDV and Sony AVCHD.
Although Vegas Pro 8 includes similarly high-end sound editing capabilities, a stock-music search is not part of the software. However, the software industry's eventual integration of such capabilities into its products is inevitable. After Getty Images's recent acquisition of Pump Audio, CEO Jonathan Klein spoke of his plans to bring music to the creative desktop. It remains to be seen whether this is done through a proprietary application or an arrangement similar to the Thought Equity deal with Sony.
Thought Equity's integration into Vegas Pro offers the company a new, pre-qualified segment of stock-footage buyers. For Sony, providing access to Thought Equity's research teams and content library vastly expands the application's capabilities, says Dave Chaimson, Sony vice president of worldwide marketing.
Thought Equity specializes exclusively in stock footage and claims to be the largest and fastest-growing online inventory of motion content. In addition to licensing, the Laramie, Wyoming-based company offers research and rights-clearance services.