[broonie27]

On reading the review of the JVC GZ-MG77 on camcorderinfo.com (http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content...der-Review.htm) I noticed there are several links advertising the device for under $500 (£255-260). These are incredibly cheap prices, so my questions are; is it worth while buying from a US site and paying the V.A.T.?; what are the pitfalls of ordering from the U.S.?

I also noticed that in the review of the Sony DCR-SR100 (SR90E here I believe) on the same site the prices were way higher ($1200). This is strange when you consider both these machines are within £100 of each other in this country.

Cheers

Craig

[redsox_mark]

See this post
JVC Everio GZ-MG505EK purchase from the States...?

You have the technical issue of NTSC vs PAL, and you also need to be careful of "rogue" web dealers which are much more common in the US.

Those cheap posts listed aren't the worst of the bunch, but the ones I recongnise are not very good. Like Abes of Maine.. gets a 4 out of 10 rating here
http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Abe_s_of_Maine
Note Abe's is not in Maine, it is in Brooklyn New York, where most of these high pressure, bait and switch houses are.

You can get a US NTSC from a very reputable dealer here for $550
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

(See their rating, 9.6 out of 10)
http://www.resellerratings.com/store...ideo_Pro_Audio

But the PAL version is $800
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=437546

[broonie27]

What are the NTSC vs PAL technical issues? My TV is compatible with both so is that the only issue? I realise of course that not everyone has a NTSC TV so if I give them a DVD of my video footage it may not display OK.

Cheers

Craig

[redsox_mark]

Things to consider about NTSC vs. PAL:

1. NTSC is lower resolution than PAL (720x480 for NTSC, 720x576 for PAL - 20% more resolution for PAL).
2. Most DVD players when playing a NTSC disc convert it on the fly to PAL60, which means a (small) additional quality hit.
3. Set top DVD/HDD recorders, if you have one or ever get one generally don't accept NTSC input.