What should I do starting from scratch with Video Editing?

Hi Everyone,
Back in 2015 I purchased Sony Movie Studio 12 Platinum on the expectation that I would teach myself how to Video Edit and create DVD's or Bluray's. The reason for doing so was I went on a holiday to Thailand and took a lot of video footage with my then Movie Camera. When I got the program I realized after installing it, it would be a steep learning curve to educate myself and with work I would not have the time to do what I thought I could.

Today I still have the footage and have done nothing with it but desperately want to. I am in the process of updating my 2012 built PC and will be updating all my software accordingly. I am after thoughts from the group and Dr Zen on what I should do to move forward understanding that I have never done a Video Editing Project. I understand that there is no more updates of Sony Movie Studio so my program & the books that I purchased are of no value on my new PC. Do I purchase the replacement Magix Movie Studio or do I go with the Vegas Pro or is there another alternative? I see these are all on sale at the moment.

I just want to get started and learning from scratch the best and easiest way possible. I am fast approaching my 60's so be kind with your recommendations.

Hi Bluey

I'm very sorry that I was never able to reply back to you in a timely fashion, way back on the 4th of January when you originally posted your message.
I was recovering from neurosurgery on my brain, when you sent your message and not able to work until now.
I realize it's very late to reply now, but I'd still like to help you if you do still need any help. Any replies from me will be super-fast from this point forward!

The good news is that the version of Vegas Movie Studio you own, was one the best versions that Sony ever made! It's still my favourite version today, even though I don't use it anymore.
Even on a brand new computer with Windows 11, Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 12 should still install and work OK. Even DVD Architect should still work OK.
The only problem with using really old versions of Vegas Movie Studio, is they don't support many of the newer video formats like 4K video, certain video frame sizes and more modern Video Codecs.
My recommendation for VEGAS Movie Studio owners who know VEGAS well, is to upgrade to VEGAS Pro.
To get the best out of VEGAS Pro, I also recommend any new computer has it's own dedicated Nvidia or AMD graphics card - this is because the modern versions of VEGAS Pro support GPU acceleration for most functions, which means much faster and more streamlined performance.

VEGAS Movie Studio Platinum was the little Brother of VEGAS Pro, which means both programs work in a similar way, when it comes to editing on the timeline.
Most of my older VEGAS Movie Studio tutorials will still work in the latest versions of VEGAS Pro !

I DO NOT recommend upgrading to the new "MAGIX" version of Movie Studio, because it is a completely different program.
None of my existing tutorials will work in the MAGIX version.
If I had tutorials that worked in the new MAGIX version, that would be a different case altogether.

I highly recommend downloading the Free Trial for VEGAS Pro to test it out first.

Now that I have recovered from my recent brain surgery, I am eager to start making new VEGAS Pro tutorials again.
At this very moment, I have started to make a new series of beginners level tutorials for VEGAS Pro 22 and will hopefully be releasing them in the next few weeks.
These beginner level tutorials will assume you know nothing at all, so will be very easy for a beginner to follow.

If you have any other question, please ask them.
I am back to good health and eager to help everyone again.

Regards
Derek