Buying A Mini DV Camcorder In the USA

OK - Here's the problem [?]

A nice Panasonic Mini DV Camcorder has taken my fancy in Circuit City but I'm worried about the whole NTSC/PAL thing.

As will be NTSC can someone on here advise me if it's worth buying here or should I wait until I'm home in the UK ? The saving is around 150 pounds. This model scores 10 out 10 in all the reviews I can find.

I have an iBook with Final Cut Express which has NTSC input's via Firewire, but I'm worried that I won't be able to play back on my TV or burn a DVD to play in my DVD Player.

My TV is a year old with the coloured phono's on the front, and I have a multi region DVD player that will play American DVD's.

Help ![^]

OK, with the built in Apple Software you can burn a DVD in the native format of the video (in this case NTSC). Your DVD player WILL play back NTSC as all DVD players can. The only thing you need to check is whether your TV will support NTSC. Most if not all modern TV's will support NTSC and I also know that Sony TV's have supported NTSC for at least 10 years (which is when I bought my first Sony TV and used it straight away for NTSC playback).

Check the manual for you TV or look online for the specs. If it is modern and a known brand I would extemely surprised if it does not support NTSC.

The other thing you want to check is that some camcorders can actually be switched from PAL/NTSC via their user accessable firmware (not a hack).

FWIW, as you have some decent kit, I would actually look at one of the new generation of HD camcorders.

I notice in the last line of your email that you already play american dvds. These are NTSC so as long as you can watch these in colour with no flickering, you are good to go.

Hope this helps

Paul

the only thing is that if you want to make a disc for a relative you might have problems if their system cannot read NTSC.
However there are software available to convert NTSC discs to PAL discs.

The blank tapes are the same until you start recording on them

If you do go ahead and buy in the US, you might want to check that the warranty is world-wide though.

also be sure what you are doing when arriving in the UK, whether to 'declare' or not..... what else would you be bringing in?

[preiffer]

Originally posted by Juliet
also be sure what you are doing when arriving in the UK, whether to 'declare' or not..... what else would you be bringing in?

What new camcorder? I brought this on holiday with me, honest Guv... [}:)]

Originally posted by preiffer

Originally posted by Juliet
also be sure what you are doing when arriving in the UK, whether to 'declare' or not..... what else would you be bringing in?

What new camcorder? I brought this on holiday with me, honest Guv... [}:)]

ROFLMAO!!!
[:o)]

what about the de-struction books? [:0]

[preiffer]

Originally posted by Juliet
what about the de-struction books? [:0]

The US mail is a beautiful thing, so I've heard... [:I][}:)]

Originally posted by preiffer

Originally posted by Juliet
what about the de-struction books? [:0]

The US mail is a beautiful thing, so I've heard... [:I][}:)]

Tempting..... [8D][:w]

Originally posted by preiffer

Originally posted by Juliet
what about the de-struction books? [:0]

The US mail is a beautiful thing, so I've heard... [:I][}:)]

Doesn't everyone take their destruction books with them incase you want to try something new?? At least thats my story! I am seriously thinking of getting all of my plug sockets converted and stepping down my mains voltage to 110v as my 240v equipment is now in the minority.

Paul

Thank you all for your valuable input - It's much appreciated.

Going back to have another look this evening, and to practice my sales negoiation skills to get a further discount !

Oh the reason I've choosen a model from last year is that it scores higher than this years models from all the reviews I've read.


Andrew.