Fitzt,
I'd contact Sony or check the booklet that comes with the camera that no one ever reads. I bought a Canon digital ZR 20 last year. In all the paperwork I found a card to send in for free editing software, I figured what the hey.
I edit tape on my computer using software made by Digital Origin called Intro DV. It's pretty slick and even though I edited videotape in a former life, I think its pretty user friendly for anyone without experience. Just had to install it from the CD, plug the camera into the computer using a Firewire 1394 cable ($14 - from Dell, Best Buy wanted $40) and I was ready to go. My computer already had a firewire port, but they sent me one of those free that I didn't need.
For capturing stills from video I use Adobe Photo Deluxe, very user friendly also.
Again this software was all free when I sent in the card after I bought the camera, so I don't know about costs.
Good luck