I'm looking to buy a camcorder for a close american friend, and having it sent over for Xmas. What kind of issues should I be aware of before I take the plunge? Will the NTSC/PAL thing be an issue anywhere along the line, and what about power? I'm a bitty clueless, and I'm not after anything state of the art, just something easy to use for capturing family events and such.

[GaryB]

The power thing shouldn't be an issue as the power supplies for most decent brands will work on anything between about 100-240V, although you should double check to be sure.

The NTSC/PAL thing will probably be more of a problem because, in contrast to the UK, where most UK PAL sets will accept NTSC, the reverse is not true. Most US NTSC kit will not accept a PAL signal. The main exception is if your friend only intends to capture to a PC where the format probably won't be much of an issue.

One other little known problem when using PAL camcorder in the US (and an NTSC camcorder in the UK) is that if you shoot under flourescent lighting, you get a flicker due to the difference in frame rate (UK is 25, US is 30).

In short, I'd try to find a US spec. camera if at all possible.

[MarkE19]

I would strongly suggest that you avoid buying a UK cam and sending it to the USA. As mentioned already the PAL vs NTSC is a BIG problem that there is no easy way around. Also what if the worst happens and you need to get it repaired, Sony etc are unlikely t owant to offer a free repair in the USA to a UK model.
What I suggest you do is look for a cam on an American web site such as www.amazon.com and buy it and getting them to deliver it as a gift. Any problems then your friend in the USA can just arrange the repair as it will be an American model.

Mark.

ah, well this is exactly the info I was after, many thanks. I think the amazon.com option is a great idea, I should check if they take paypal.

two options, the sony a1u or the z1u, not cheap (& besides you will get the kit a lot cheaper in the US anyway, they are usually less in dollars than we are pounds) these cams can be set up to record in NTSC or PAL