Yes, I am a noob.

I need help, I just got my HC7, and I know there is the I.Link and the USB. I don't have a sony computer, so I can't use the I.Link....but I can't quite figure out how to get my HD video to go to my computer via. the usb.

HELP!

USB is for still pix only (memory stick)

iLink is just Sony term for "Firewire", either your computer has it, or you can get an add in card cheap.

Well, yes my system does have fire wire and the camera did come with a firewire cable...but its a mini firewire cable.

its a mini plug on both ends. How can I resolve this?

my computer doesn't have a mini firewire plug.

Buy a 4-pin to 6-pin cable. Radio Shack has 'em.

Just make sure both the PC and the cam are powered off when you connect them.

Then to capture HD footage, use HDVSplit as a free solution to capturing. (though cost-required capture software sometimes work better.)

So I can't use something like Sony Vegas to capture hi-def 1080i?

Yes. Sony Vegas will capture-- assuming later versions 6-8.

Yup. Sony Vegas 7 to be exact.