buying sony DV camcorders in states

[ianbu]

Hi,
Looking for some help and advice. I am due to go to Orlando, Florida on hols in april and was planning to look to purchase a new Sony DV Camcorder while there. Hope some one can help me with the following points:
a) How well do the prices compare with the UK?
b) Is there any compatability problems with buying in states and using in uk?
c) Does any body have any views on Sony HC 39 or 44 or 94 range?
d) Is there any shops to look out for around International drive that give good service and that any one has any recommendations

Any help would be great

Ian

[edDV]

Hi,
Looking for some help and advice. I am due to go to Orlando, Florida on hols in april and was planning to look to purchase a new Sony DV Camcorder while there. Hope some one can help me with the following points:
a) How well do the prices compare with the UK?

Much lower mainly because we are taxed on income and property, not the VAT.

b) Is there any compatability problems with buying in states and using in uk?

Very much so. In general you will only find NTSC models in Orlando whereas the UK uses PAL. You will need to do your homework to find the right gray market source (no warranty) or an "international" warranty supported PAL model that is intended for purchase by travellers. These are usually sold in "duty free" shops and hotel boutiques but most often carry little discount and questionable factory support.

One strategy is to search the web for "international standards format" sellers to the US market that are found online. Most of these guys are located in New York City and sell either gray market or "international warranty" models for mail order to US addresses. They may or may not deliver to a hotel. The more sinister they are, the more likely they will deliver to a hotel.

Current US tax loopholes allow these to be sold out of state without the customary 7-9% sales tax (our equivalent of the VAT) if purchased online. So if you shop well, know exactly what you want and are willing to risk retailler credibility and warranty, you can get a discounted, near tax free model vs. 40-50% accumulated VAT in the EU.

Buyer beware. Others may have had a recent experience.

c) Does any body have any views on Sony HC 39 or 44 or 94 range?

mid level SONY's... Good but nothing special.
see reviews at www.camcorderinfo.com

d) Is there any shops to look out for around International drive that give good service and that any one has any recommendations

don't know.

[ianbu]

Thanks for reply,
have you any idea of the "costs for them in the duty free shops to give me some sort of idea to compare with uk prices?
Also if i got a NTSC format cam and all i wanted to do was transfer to pc, would it be possible to burn to DVD and change to PAL format using copy programmes like Nero or WinAvi, like when downloading and burning AVI files?
Have any other people from Uk had any experience of buying and using?

[jagabo]

have you any idea of the "costs for them in the duty free shops to give me some sort of idea to compare with uk prices?

Duty free shops are just an attempt to get you to pay expensive prices at the airport rather than going into town and getting much cheaper prices.

Also if i got a NTSC format cam and all i wanted to do was transfer to pc, would it be possible to burn to DVD and change to PAL format using copy programmes like Nero or WinAvi, like when downloading and burning AVI files?

Possible? Yes. But it's a pain in the ass and picture quality is reduced, especially if you don't get a camcorder that supports 24p.

By the way, most PAL equipment can play NTSC material so you may not need or want to convert.

[daamon]

Also if i got a NTSC format cam and all i wanted to do was transfer to pc, would it be possible to burn to DVD and change to PAL format using copy programmes like Nero or WinAvi, like when downloading and burning AVI files?

Converting from NTSC to PAL is not an easy task and, not being rude, as you're asking if it's do-able I'd recommend not trying it until you're better versed in the black art of video.

That said, NTSC footage is generally playable in the UK - most (more modern) TVs and DVD players play both PAL and NTSC. Therefore taking NTSC footage an putting it onto DVD for TV is unlikely to be a problem. Your PC will play anything - NTSC or PAL.

[Richard_G]

I was in International Drive a couple of years ago and had a good look at Sony camcorder prices. Basically, nothing special. A couple of places selling E suffix European PAL grey imports but mostly end of line models. They worked out marginally cheaper than here but by so little that it didn't seem worth risking the dubious warranty position. Also bear in mind that even if you find a real bargain, it will be over the £142 duty free other goods limit when you bring it back into the UK. I you get checked by customs it will cost you import duty and VAT on top of what you paid for it.

You'd be better off shopping around some of the UK based online sellers like Empire Direct. The other problem with International Drive is that it's full of Americans and tourists....