Basically (I think), we are talking about getting either a Firewire 800 or a mini-DisplayPort to monitor/record output from either component cables or HDMI. If it can be done for less than the price of a new laptop, then I am all ears! No express card slot on my MBP, btw.

I glanced through the posts and couldn't find this exact topic, but please redirect/delete this if I am being redundant.

Also, if this simply can't be (cheaply) done, then what would be a good setup for monitoring/recording a TM700 on a laptop? (doesn't have to be a mac)

Thanks so much!

Hmmm, I use a black magic intensity card in my desktop, here's a black magic product that may work since it's usb 2.0, Blackmagic Design: H.264 Pro Recorder Tech Specs (http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/h264prorecorder/techspecs/) it may be overkill with all the HD SDI inputs etc. but it does have hdmi input and looks like it supports quite a few capture resolutions/frame rates up to 1080p60 which would go nicely with the tm700 . I'm not sure about how well/smooth the monitoring works, but it may be an option.

Thanks Jeremy, that looks pretty close to what I was wanting. I wonder what the time delay would be like from camera to monitor using the H.264 recorder? I also question the ability of a video signal going live over USB 2.0 that is higher quality than the camera's own AVCHD codec. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I'll contact Black Magic with my questions!