I am a long way from anywhere with either an Applecentre or a camera shop in Cape Province, and am wholly unable to connect my HG10 to Final Cut Express.My computer shows the camera's disk on the desktop (MacBook Pro 2.4ghz) and I have FCE 3.5.1. I am sure it's my fault but the Apple Forum is down and I rather foolishly didn't bring the HG10 manual. If anyone has ideas I would be most grateful. I expect the answer is out there, but so far Google and forum search haven't helped.

Canon HG10 is a AVCHD cam and you need FCE 4 to import that codec.

If you have Imovie 08 then you can use that program to import the AVCHD material.

It will be converted to AIC by imovie 08 and you can use AIC with FCE 3,5

Can't you use Mpegstreamclip to export to AIC or other codec of your choice?

I would too try to use imovie 08, it's the cleanest way to not lose quality during the conversion to AIC and then use that for editing with FCE.

Guidance very much appreciated. Apple at V&A Waterfront (Cape Town's largest mall) sold me FCE 3.5 3 days ago as the answer to the HG20, which is irritating. I now have iMovie 8 and that should take care of things for the moment. Upgrade disk to FCE 4.0 not available in Cape Town so it will have to wait until I return to UK.
It is the waste ot time and effort in trying to make things work which never would is what is most annoying. Oh well, I can now relax and enjoy the sun, breeze and scenery.
My thanks again.