I run from the camera, via

I run from the camera, via Firewire, to the computer — laptop or desktop, then out of the computer to an external hard drive using USB.

You haven’t said what capture software you’re planning on using. Scenalyzer is an excellent and inexpensive video capture software. More sophisticated (i.e., with more video and audio metering) is Adobe OnLocation, and it may be that your NLE video capture utility will allow you to capture from your camera.

Jack