Camcorder Connect live with USB

HV 30 will do this via the Firewire output.

My knowledge in video editing is limited, but here's what I could dig up.

m2ts is also referred to as AVCHD, (MPEG4) a high-def Interlaced format which most computers cant render properly since most computers render in progressive format. You have to convert it to MPEG2, AVI, WMV, MOV or other movie file types in Progressive mode, a process known as "Deinterlacing" in order to edit it. Depending on how big the file is and how fast your computer is this could take several hours. Also, you cant view AVCHD files on normal televisions, you need a high-def TV.

If you want to edit high-def videos with post-effects and music etc, for dvd or blue-ray, you'll need a more powerful computer. The "recommended" minimum is a 64bit dual core processor, windows vista 64 bit, a seperate 500Gb or bigger hard drive and at minimum, 3-4Gbs of RAM with a high-def TV monitor. (1080i) Rendering High-Def videos is process heavy and can take up to 12+ hours to render a single 30-60 minute video with post-fx like music, logo's etc. The reason you need a 64bit processor and 64bit windows is because regular XP and Vista wont recognize more than 3Gb of RAM.

You could get by with a 32bit dual core processor and 2 gigs of RAM on windows XP, it's just going to be slower. You will still probably need a high def monitor if your going to edit in high-def mode.

High-def is new technology to mainstream consumers. Supporting technology hasnt caught up yet including most software--however most of what I read stated that Sony Vegas Platinum can do this pretty well.

Your camera is capeable of recording in progressive mode. You'll have to read the manual on how to do this. This will record it in standard mode which is not high-def. (For future reference)

To sum it all up, the camera's technology is more advanced than most PCs. I downloaded AVS Video Converter and converted the AVCHD, (MPEG4) a high-def Interlaced format to HD Video 720p: WMV9, 7000 kbps....... on the drop down screen of the AVS program. I now can view my videos in Progressive Standard mode with NO choppy play back or problems. Please note that 720p is a non digital standard Television view.

Hope this helps.