It is going to take at least a Core Duo processor to handle high definition video in its native form. Slower machines can work with HD through use of a proxey file, but that would eat your 60 gbyte hard drive alive. My guess is that a USB connected drive is too slow.
The problem lies in editing where, in order to see the video, the video must be rendered in real time.
You can edit video from the HV20, but it would need to convert the video to SD before sending it to your computer.
This forum is a wealth of knowledge. I am looking to buy a HD camcorder. Initially I was looking at the Canon HG10 but after everything I have read about editing the video, and quality loss, I am thinking about the HV20.
My laptop is an Acer TravelMate 4002WLMi with a Intel Pentium M 725 processor (1.6 GHz (Centrino), 400 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 Cache) with 512 MB Ram and a 60 GB hard drive. I also bought a 500 GB external drive, only the guy at the store told me the USB version was better so not knowing then what I have read here, I foolishly believed him.
So my question is, will my laptop edit the stuff that the HV20 would capture or am I setting myself up for some long frustrating evenings waiting for the computer to work? Would a simple memory upgrade solve a lot of problem or do I need a processor upgrade (i.e. new computer).
