SONY HDRC3 "whats the cheapest out there?"

[Gadget_Man]

Hi, i've decided to go for one of these cameras. Whats the cheapest out there?

Cannot seem to get below £890 but seem to recall some1 posting availability from some where at £780? but cannot find the thread.

cheers

[redsox_mark]

The £890 (and change) price at best cameras is the cheapest I've seen.

[laser]

It would appear best have put their price up (see thread):

New Sony HD Camcorder HDR-HC3

[Gadget_Man]

Originally Posted by laser

It would appear best have put their price up (see thread):

New Sony HD Camcorder HDR-HC3

Cheers for the replys,

I managed to find that thread in the end and thought the same...gits.

I may be opting to an HC96 as the HC3 is out of my price range at the moments (insurance replacement). Very nice camera tho.

[redsox_mark]

For anyone else looking for a HC3, I found this price £823.80 (+£4.95 delivery)

http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/textr...=HDRHC3E%2ECEH

As of this morning 1 in stock...

Mark

[Gadget_Man]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

For anyone else looking for a HC3, I found this price £823.80 (+£4.95 delivery)

http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/textr...=HDRHC3E%2ECEH

As of this morning 1 in stock...

Mark

cheers Mark, that price is spot on

buggar, just tried it and now out of stock. I'll have to be quicker next time

the search continues.

[multiply]

Interested in an HC3 also. Going to the States in a couple of weeks and wanted to know if I bought an 'NTSC' HC3, if it would work on a UK Hi-def system?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I don't know if the old PAL/NTSC incompatibility rules still apply with HD.

Also, if I edit my footage on the PC (using Pinnacle Studio 10 for instance) and want to convert to SD, then will it let me do it to PAL?

Just asking, as the cameras will be cheaper in the US I assume.....

Thanks in advance.

PS Just seen it for £853 at Hughes Direct IN STOCK, if you are a member of BUPA! -
http://www.bupa.hughesdirect.co.uk/s...id=SON-HDRHC3E

[redsox_mark]

The answer is yes and no...

There are still differences. In SD the frame rate and resolutions are both different between PAL and NTSC. With HD the resoolutions are the same (e.g. 1080i for the HC3), but still different rates. The PAL HC3 shoots is 50 fps, the NTSC ones are 60 fps (1080/60i).

I believe most "PAL" HD displays will handle a 1080/60i signal, so you should be able to display your footage. But if you shoot or downconvert in camera to DV you will get NTSC DV.

You can convert in an editor, so you can render 1080/60i footage to PAL DV, though the conversion will be harder on the editor and it may or may not do a good job in determining how to throw away those extra frames.

I think you are better off sticking with a PAL model.

Mark

[Gadget_Man]

I've seen one at a very good price, will post up once completed the order as they seem to be going out of stock very quickly

Just want to be sure that i'm buying a full UK item and he has said the Camera is UK spec and has the full manufacterers warranty so sound like a deal is about to happen.

Just to be sure are there any other foregn market cameras out there that sellers are aquiring on the cheap as really want to be 100% this not one. Does it have to be UK supplied from Sony ???

[redsox_mark]

There are only 2 PAL models of the HC3: The HC3E (which is the European model, including UK), and the HC1EK (which is a “Japanese overseas” model)
http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/tourist/v...HC3EK(JE)&LG=1

So if you get a HC3E, you are getting the UK model.. the only difference in other countries will be the plug. So even if it was meant for another country and then imported here, it shouldn’t matter.

If you end up with a HC3EK, then technically that is a different camera.. it might have some different language support etc… though in terms of what it does it will be functionally the same.

As long as the supplier is reputable I wouldn’t be too worried if I was getting a UK model or not..

Mark

[Gadget_Man]

Cheers guys , order being placed. It should hopefully be with me b4 i head to Siverstone next w/e so should get some nice footage to view on my LE40M61BX.

I'll post up the price and supplyer once sorted as know there a bit thin on the ground at the moment.

[Gadget_Man]

OK chaps, order now been placed and feel i can share this with u.

The place i ordered it through was : Phoenix Computer Systems Limited

The ad is here :
http://www.phoenix-pcs.co.uk/acatalog/Sony_HDRHC3E.html

The price is £802.43 INC VAT +P&P nit bad hey

The camera is a UK model too.

cheers

Toby

[redsox_mark]

Toby,

Congrats on finding that - a good price!

[Gadget_Man]

Originally Posted by redsox_mark

Toby,

Congrats on finding that - a good price!

Cheers, can't wait to get/use it. Should be using it for the 1st time at Siverstone at the w/e if it arrives in time

Cheers Mark and the rest of you for all the advice on this camera, much appreciated .

[jlewis]

To find a range of prices, look at a price comparison web site, such as www.pricerunner.co.uk or www.froogle.co.uk.

There are probably better sites to use, but these are start.

I paid £870 in the K&K shop in Edgware Road, London on Thursday.

Be wary that alot of these sites can claim to have one in stock, you place your order and then it doesn't turn up for ages. Buyer beware.

The thing I always check for on these sites is whether they prominently display their address & telephone number rather than hiding behind a reply form on a web page.