Am about to go to the States and thought that while I was out there I would buy a Mini DV Camcorder. Looking through these threads I noticed someone say that U.S camcorders will record in NTSC and naturally I will want PAL. Is there any way round this?
Thx Rich

Not really, US camcorders will record in NTSC, even if you later convert it you will still be converting from the original NTSC (and so you will never get native PAL quality). Also you would likely have problems with warranty when you returned should you need to claim on it.

__________________
Lloyd

That's my opinion. If you don't like it I have others

System: Apple Macbook Pro 17, and an external Freecom 500GB eSATA drive.
Software: Final Cut Studio 2 (FCP 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Color, DVD Studio Pro 4, Compressor 3), Sonicfire Pro 4.5
Favourite Resources: Findsounds.com, Free DVD menus, Ken Stone's FCP Page, Wikivid

Don't do it. Not worth the hassle. Like LJR says, the trouble and quality loss you'd have converting it means it would immediately negate any money saved over buying it in this country.

__________________
Redefining the concept of low budget filmmaking
Manchester Comedy Forum
09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

Ok guys Thx
I'll just pay through the nose in the UK like everyone else

What camera you after?

__________________
video editing guides | video upload | wedding guides | website hosting

Am currently upgrading from all analogue to all digital system (Hardware and Software) so I have the luxury of starting with a blank canvas. From what ive read I should go for a mini DV system. With regard to the camcorder, I want to capture the best quality footage possible (am thinking 3 CCD's), want to shoot in low light without using additional floodlights and take stills of a reasonable quality. Previously I worked with a Panasonic NVS7B SVHS camcorder and loved it so I am a big fan of Panasonic. However, there's no need to get fixated with a brand name.

With regard to software I'm moving towards Adobe (Premier Pro + After Effects) which seems to cover all my needs. I also need to transfer aroung 100 hours of VHS video onto DVD (video capture card or DVD recorder? Bear in mind this is a straight transfer, no editing required)

Budget wise, $900 in the States would have got me a half decent camcorder. In the UK i'll have to settle for one in the £500 range. Any ideas?

Thx Rich

I bought a Panny NV-GS400 from the USA in April. It cost 50% less than purchasing here in Cape Town. This is the PAL version, many stores are now keeping both NTSC and PAL. If it's not too late buy while your there and save some money. If you purchase a quality camera I would not be too concerned about the warrantee issue.

Good luck.

Someone once referred to NTSC as Never The Same Colours twice.

They may do. but only if you don't want to author any 'real' DVDs.

PPro will allow you to export your timeline to a 'run on insert' DVD but as soon as you want ot create a DVD with menus etc you'll need more s/w.

Remember to budget for this also.

__________________
I'm not young enough to know everything!