I have two specific questions about the HDR-PJ710V as it relates to using underwater in a housing:

1) Can I do manual white balance through the menus WITHOUT accessing the mechanical knob by the lens?
While in the housing, I have no way of manipulating that dial, but I have full menu controls.

2) Can I override autofocus and set a manual focal length? If, while diving, a fish swims between my camera and my subject, I don't want the camera to refocus on the fish, but to remain focused on my subject. Again, this control would have to be via the menu system, and not accomplished by manipulating the knob by the lens.

Can anybody help me? Much research has lead me to this camcorder and now it looks like it may not serve my underwater videography needs.

Thanks!
Darryl

1) Can I do manual white balance through the menus WITHOUT accessing the mechanical knob by the lens?

Yes; anything you can do with the dial you can do in the menus. The dial is for convenience in changing menu items, but the full menu is accessible from the LCD.

2) Can I override autofocus and set a manual focal length? If, while diving, a fish swims between my camera and my subject, I don't want the camera to refocus on the fish, but to remain focused on my subject. Again, this control would have to be via the menu system, and not accomplished by manipulating the knob by the lens.

You can set focus to manual and even set the focus manually from the LCD menu (fix it). Again, the dial is an alternative to the LCD menu system. It is not necessary to change any setting.

I'm very glad to hear that! Thanks Mark.

I'm buying the camcorder tomorrow.

Darryl

How to I get the MTS files created by my PJ710V onto my Mac and into a format (M4V?) I can view and edit on my Mac (OSX7)?

The Sony-provided software (PlayMemories Online) doesn't seem to make any sense.

Thanks