This is how I'm connecting my HVX200 to the PC for P2 file transfers:

Hook up the firewire cable.
Turn it on on P2 mode.
Put it in PC mode.
It appears as an external drive in my PC.
I just drag and drop what I want.

Is this the way everyone else does it? I ask because the reliability has been sketchy and for some reason it slows my computer down terribly, despite the fact it is just an external drive. Several times it has just disconnected itself midway.

Thoughts?
(besides get a Mac?)

DO NOT DO THAT. Don't use firewire with a PC. Reliability will, as you say, be "sketchy" when using firewire with the PC.

You must use USB2.0 with the PC, not firewire. Firewire transfers for the Mac are guaranteed, but not for the PC. USB transfers for the PC are guaranteed, but not for the mac.

Awww, but I like firewire! :(

Actually, I've had more trouble connecting via USB2 than firewire so I gave up and just used firewire. I'll quit doing that though and get my USB2 issues in order though.
Thanks Barry!