Aren't the video FX in Vegas basically the same as the filters in Virtual dub?
About the only one I have used so far is brightness and contrast!

But this clip explain Avid Xpress' video stabilizer made me go ooh and ahh, and purchase it (the academic package is quite reasonably priced, but as I say, I can't open mpegs)
http://www.avid.com/video/xpressDemo...sp?currVideo=4
Jump to 1:42 where the narrator says "here is the finished result, stabilised, automatically Zoomed, crystal clear, fast and easy."

I may have budget to purchase a steadicam.

All the gear and no idea.