I'm after getting a DV camera to capture some reasonable quality footage and some software to edit it on a PC. I'm struggling to find a decent forum to get tips, anybody on here know much about it? I'm thinking of getting a Panasonic HDC-SD60 (or maybe a sd700 if it's worth the extra?) and Sony Vegas Home Studio. Are these reasonable starting points?

Vegas is good. Very follow your nose and loads of tips on youtube. You need a decent pc as it's quite processor hungry.

cant help much. Avid is the industury standard but it's complex and unhelpful without training. Looked at the sony Vegas Studio but eventually went for the whole caboodle of an Apple mac with free Imove HD. It's a bit of a black art as to what will work best. We've got cameras that we bought (management bought) that I am unable to get any video off whatsoever.
Might be tempted to go and see versions it at a specialist retailer, ask sony if they can recomend where to see it or download a trial. They cost a lot and you need to be sure before you buy anything that i'll work with your camera.

I guess its kinda my job..

Camera looks ok, don't know much about vegas home studio, we use avid and final cut pro, I've got my own copy of Final cut studio which is a nice thing to use. Might be worth a look at adobe fast silver/purple edit software as well.. its a few years old now so you might be able to get it cheap!
What you need really depends on what you want to do with it, if its just for you tube then don't waste a load of money, if you want to go a bit futher spend a bit more.. like bikes I guess!
Oh and learn to film for an edit rather than editing HOURS of footage down

lodious – Could you mail me?

I have a fair amount of DV equipment I am looking to sell. It'd be great if I could help out someone on here.

Cheers,
Nick

Ive got a hv30 and loads of batteries and mics / lenses that'd be an epic start for you also loads of advice on all aspects of it as its my profession (work in tv and film) send me an email to haworth.alex AT gmail dot com if your interested 🙂

I also teach courses on final cut, premier, imovie hd and lots more so can happily point you in the right direction

thats within 1 hour of picking the camera up to see how it performs, it hasnt had more than 10 hours use and im the original owner

🙂 al

Pook off here did some excellent work for SingletrAction.
Stainburn dig day