關於digital camcorder

1. Windows XP should be able to recognize your camcorder.
You need to use MovieMaker to transfer the video on tape
to your hard drive. You can use whatever format MovieMaker
supported. I'd recommend to use MPEG2 which DVD is based on.
By the way, you need an IEEE 1394 PCI card installed onto
you computer if you PC doesn't have 1394 (FireWire) port
built in. Any retail IEEE 1394 card comes with a cable and
a standard edition of an editing software.

2. I don't know about USB port on Canon Z85. My Sony's USB port
is used for download pictures saved in memory card. Not for
transfering video. You need to carefully read you manual to
see if Canon USB port does anything more.

3. You can directly record video onto the SD card for a couple
of minitues in MPEG format. MPEG format is what VCD is based
upon. And its quality is quite low.