I'm a long time (Windows XP) Photoshop user who is just getting into HD video with a Sony SR1 and I'm looking for a software package that natively edits AVCHD and writes it to Blu-ray. For the moment, I can't imagine I will need one of the $600+ packages (I can always upgrade there later). What are my options (I've read a little about Pinnacle, Ulead and Sony's Vegas but ended up more confused than before I started <...sigh>).

Any thoughts? And any thoughts on the need or wisdom of going with a 64bit XP or Vista?

Thanks, Michael

Vegas 8 pro or Vegas 7 will edit AVCHD, V8 will burn Blu Ray straight from the time line, no menu's

I know about Vegas, but from the comparison chart on thier site, it looks as if only the full price version writes to Blu-ray and the two lesser versions don't. I'm trying to attach a clip of the relevant part of the chart (don't know if it will work, never tried it before). Do you read it the same way I do?

If the clip doesn't make it, here's the link to the chart:

Sony Creative Software - Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Edition 8 - Vegas Family Comparison

Click image below to enlarge...

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this info could be userful
4sysops - Vista x64 vs. Vista x86 - 32 bit or 64 bit Vista edition?

Thanks for that, Fam. Looks as if it's still too early to go with Vista-64bit.