How to buy a NTSC video camera in the UK?

Our Canon video camera (NTSC, DV) malfunctioned for the second time this year. We had it repaired once, but are wary of trying to get it repaired again.

I'd like to get a HD-compatible & DV & NTSC one (I like DV, and we want to be able to play our old tapes). I'm looking at the Canon HDV30.

Does anybody know how we can get an NTSC video camera here in the UK?

We're going to Spain & France for Easter, and my wife would like a video camera for the trip. We're moving back to the states in September, so have no need for a PAL one.

We've tossed around the idea of buying one from Amazon, delivering it to my parents in the US & having my parents ship it here, but are wary of customs duties, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

-Bob

 

Hi Quinnrj,

A few 'options' for you ..

1. Is the camera a newish purchase? was it bought from here in the UK? I think the same statutory rights would be in force in the USA if it was purchased from there..  you might need to look into it ..  however,

fixed once, and now needs a repair again, this could indicate a camera with an inherent problem, if less that 6 months old, I beleive its up to the retailer to prove otherwise, and if over 6 months upto you the buyer to prove it has an inherent fault. Try also contacting the manufacturer and see what they say.

Disclaimer - read up the statutory rights laws, I'm 'pretty sure' of the above - however I'm a bit knackered so might be slightly off there!

2. Doesn't 'HAVE' to be NTSC - you could get a UK HD PAL (try to go for full 1080p HD) camera and shoot whatever you want to shoot, take it back to the USA and then use software to 'convert' from PAL to NTSC and then burn to DVD etc etc ?

3. Get over to Tottenham Court Road in London and visit all the discount electronic shops and ask for a NTSC camera. I used to go there (and sometimes when I was in NYC goto Canal Street) and get 'export' models. I'm pretty sure they'd still do camera models like this, but probably not an extensive range so you might not get the camera you 'want' from research.

4. Get a NTSC/PAL switchable device - like this one http://www.fisheraudiovisual.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=1_6&products_id=13&pg_no=0

I have a feeling though, this would be quite pricey, however, theres a freephone number there, so maybe give them a call and see what they have ?!

I also found these two Sony devices...

http://mandy.com/1/class3.cfm?v=31044338

http://mandy.com/1/class3.cfm?v=31044042

Not sure if they are actually 'switchable' or not though.

Hope the above helps!

Cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Just be careful when looking at export models to check that they are genuine NTSC format. 

Some of the export versions have hybrid formats which are variously, and confusingly, labeled NTSC in some form or another and are used in broadcast environments, but which are not proper NTSC as such.   For example, "NTSC 4.43" is actually British (625-line) video format with the same color sub-carrier frequency as PAL, but with "NTSC-like" color encoding.  It's quite useless for playing on normal domestic American TV sets.