can it edit HDV 24p footage?

Hi,
Of course, you must choose the format HDV 720 24p. If it is not good, you should create your own?. It will be after in the list format and after, select this one by default .
But be careful, JVC products are using a proprietary format who need to do a conversion for working with (and that 's not only for Openshot but with all the Linux applications). You have the solution (and more explanations) here : http://openshotusers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=535

I'm sorry, I don't understand your answer. What do you mean "If it is not good, you should create your own?. It will be after in the list format and after, select this one by default ."?? This is very confusing.

Also re: JVC products..I went to the link ...are you saying that all JVC products create mod files which aren't compatible with your program..AND that your program doesn't accept 16:9?

please clarify.

 | I'm sorry, I don't understand your answer. What do you mean "If it is not good, you should create your own?. It will be after in the list format and after, select this one by default ."?? This is very confusing.

You said that your footage is in HDV 24p so i suppose that the 720 p. But is it in 1280 x720 or in 1440 x 1080i or 1920x1080p. You must identified exactly your files and after choose the good profile. (see here : http://openshotusers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=371 )If choosing the profile near of the specification of your type of file, you see that you have a problem to preview your file (i.e. lines, black borders, missing a part of your video,...), this profile is perhaps not appropriate to your files. And same if the existing profiles are for the major part of the video files, all the sort of them are not included in Openshot. So, this thing come you, you can be perhaps create your own profile. And for that, we have created a special tool in the Preferences (or Ctrl + P) third tab. Once time your profile is created, it will appear in the list of the profiles (for a new project) and you could define it by defalut.

 | Also re: JVC products..I went to the link ...are you saying that all JVC products create mod files which aren't compatible with your program..AND that your program doesn't accept 16:9? please clarify.

I have seen by experience that the footage produce by the products of this manufacturer are difficult to use on Linux (in fact without their software). But it is for AVCHD mainly and they need a conversion before to be import in a Video Editor. And like i don't know exactly what sort of file are produced with, it is only some suppositions. You must imperative identify your files. After you should test the best method for you.

Sorry for my bad English and i hope that my explanations are now more clear.