Question on Video Tools and Wordpress

My only experience with video over the years has been with screen captures using Camtasia and embedding youtube videos. So far its worked for everything I needed to do.

I've never really had the need to produce a video and then put it up on a site with a player ...though I've purchased some through wso's and I couldn't find em even if they were up to date

My Project

I'm setting up a membership site using videos shot with a Sony HandyCam. The videos will show certain techniques and projects so they need to be clear and fairly detailed... I tried a flip camera and it just wasnt good enough. The sony camcorder produces movies in the AVCHD format.... so I need Video Editing Software to edit in that format.

My Problem

I need to edit the videos and I need to put up on a wordpress blog in some sort of Video Player.

To edit the videos I need simple things like Title slides, notations, zoom, intro, outro music ....all the basics although it would be fun to learn advanced techniques.... I want to be able to quickly create a couple months worth of videos and get em uploaded.

If it matters, I'm proficient at photoshop. I was looking at Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere for editing.... not sure which versions I would need. Not sure if MovieMaker can edit AVCHD format and I really don't want to convert each video into a different format.

I'm not sure what to do with hosting the videos. I don't have an S3 account, but would consider doing so. I don't anticipate starving crowds begging to get in the membership so I don't know if S3 is overkill or not.

Which Video Player to Use

My membership site with be a Wordpress blog and the question I have is which player works good on WP, which player is easy to configure and get the video to play... are there free players? .....what are the good paid players? ....is there a WP player plugin? If I have to purchase a player I don't want one that has a yearly or monthly charge.

I know there's a bunch of video experts here ....hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction so I can started editing some of my videos and getting this site in shape!

Although a quick search will turn up some info on my questions, I'm hoping to get thoughts on current versions and products.

It's amazing how far you can fall out of the loop when you purposely focus your efforts in other areas and more specific.... when you purposely stay away from one dimension or another of internet marketing. Although its next to impossible to know everything in the internet marketing arena, I try to keep up with the basics .....I guess I fell asleep when it comes to video!

I really appreciate your thoughts however detailed you want to get.

Thanks guys!

Scott