You can find copies of user manuals for the following manufacturers at the following websites:

Sony: It appears that UK users must pay for a reproduced manual (http://www.sony.co.uk/support/faqinstmanuals.asp), however the US site offers this free service www.iq.sony.com

tip: you need to enter the entire code. they seem to be broken into 3 parts - the first part denotes whether it's a hi8 or DV cam (DCR for DV, CCD for Hi 8 and ACC for accessories), then TRV or HC (HC for handicam), then a 2 or 3 digit number. For example DCRTRV140

Panasonic: For US models, the following link lets you download copy manuals in pdf format. You can search by model number or browse by type: http://service.us.panasonic.com/operman/default.aspx

UK owners can use the following link: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...oad-centre.asp

Canon: For US models, follow this link - http://www.canondv.com/downloads/product_manuals.html

Guess what, UK users are expected to pay for copies of manuals: www.canon.co.uk/media/brochures

tip: it seems that although the model numbers are different, there's normally a UK equivalent.

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JVC (uk): http://www.jvc.co.uk/download.php?type=2

Canon updated: at least for the GL2
sorry link no longer available

The Sony US link doesn't work for me.

Next theyll be asking,wheres do i buy a charger and software

The Link for UK Canon is https://self-service.canon-europe.com/uk/pages/

here you find http://www.manualshark.org/b/sony-4/ sony user guides

here you find http://www.manualshark.org/b/canon-3/ canon user guides

Try also TestFreaks
There you can find a lot of user manuals, reviews and manufacturer's descriptions of different camcorders