SONY VEGAS 8 PLATINUM (please note: not pro, not non-platinum)

What I WANT:
(1) editor that takes in AVCHD files and does LITTLE to them unless asked (i.e. no forced conversion to another format)
(2) menu/disc maker that can produce BluRay compatible discs using DVD+R's (HD-DVD is a plus)
(3) both of the above that doesn't screw with or reduce the audo from the recorded 5.1 to anything weaker

Okay, so here's what I'm doing NOW, and below that what I wish to do:
I have a Sony HDR-SR7 camcorder that records to AVCHD. I'm quite able to use Sony's included "Picture Motion Browser" software (stupid name for it) to both play back and author BluRay playable DVDs (BluRay format output on a DVD disc). But this offers no decent editing other than trimming and there is no input at all as to any of the BluRay/AVCHD disc features... it comes up with a crappy looking menu, etc.

I read from Sony's site that Vegas 8 Platinum is the cheapest way to go to have some editing done on AVCHD.. however, when comparing the features list, it seems that you can only READ AVCHD in the Platinum version and the PRO version (which costs 5-6x as much) is needed to READ/WRITE AVCHD.

So questions:
(1) does the PLATINUM edition really not output in AVCHD? if not, I suppose I'm forced to convert output even if for a bluray disc into some other format?
(2) does the "DVD" software that's included actually CREATE BluRay and/or HD-DVD compliant menus & structures? (this isn't mentioned ANYWHERE)
(3) what format is the video for (2) above if (1) above is true? MPEG-2 HD? Won't the conversion result in diminished quality? My PS3 can play the AVCHD files just fine both in their native format and as an AVCHD/BluRay disc (as made by the software that came with the camera), I wouldn't want to have to convert to another video format just to get a better menu system.