What should I do? sell the Sony HC3 to buy HV20?

rockykabir · 08-10-2007, 9:54 PM

In a little dilemma. I recently purchased a HDR-HC3 during a trip to US for a decent price.

Bought it back here and then realised the possible difficulties of using a NTSC camcorder in the UK. However, most modern TVs display NTSC and PAL anyway. I think HDTVs have to display in 60i (US format) anyway right?

I'm going back and forth about selling the Sony to buy a Canon HV20.

Sorry for sounding like such a indecisive fool - but if you were in my shoes, is getting the HV20 really worth it? Is PAL/NTSC much of an issue anymore?

thx

btw, does anyone know what format do Blu-Rays and HD-DVDs display in? is it 25p or 24p?

**senu** · 08-10-2007, 10:23 PM

The thing to ask yourself is
What (if anything) about the HC3 have you found dissatisfying?

Having a 60i footage can be an advantage as HD DVD ( though not BD) dont support 50i and we "PAL 50i locals" have to change it in software by reencoding.. a real pain TBH. Only to create the "Mini" HD-DVD discs though. If you have an HD DVD player.
( Damn Toshiba !!they are also rigid with not giving multiregion SD DVD playback:for a format struggling with BD they are suicidally "laid back" IMHO) .
The HD DVD add-on drive to the xbox360 will play your HDV clips encoded to WMV-HD on a disc regardless of original source
But if you live here PAL isnt a bad idea .. It is a "better" system

However the era of domestic recordable BD or HD DVD is far from common ..for now

The HV20 is great, get it if you must but there will always be better models , anyway and it will get cheaper if you wait although your HC3 will sell for less

If I were you it would get it but only because it has more manual features, AV in mic in ect .. not because of 24/25p

glesgaguyav · 08-10-2007, 10:25 PM

Sorry it's up to you to keep or sell, there is no real problem regarding NTSC/PAL if you are keeping to HD output, your HD TV will show the footage no problem, but be aware that we do live in PAL land and equipement sold here is designed for PAL, so at some point you may wish you had a PAL camera.

And IMHO, PAL is a better system, I have read in some US forums that they would preffer to purchase a PAL HD cam for it's ability to record in true 25P. and colour rendition.

Also, you warranty is no good in this country, makers warranty only applies to the country of origin.

**Kieron** · 08-10-2007, 10:40 PM

If you decide to sell then I'd most likely have it...

glesgaguyav · 09-10-2007, 9:56 AM

Here's an informative discussion on the HV20 forum regarding HD/PAL/NTSC.

http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?t=758

It may help or mystify anyone who has a similar dilema

**senu** · 09-10-2007, 10:07 AM

Good one

Ill just bookmark it as it is a bit more comprehensive than Ive seen before
Conclusion: horses for courses.. If you live here, buy PAL 50i , (IMHO)

redsox_mark · 09-10-2007, 11:13 AM

Yes there are pros and cons... but if you already have a NTSC HC3, then as Senu said earlier in this thread, what if any issues do you have with it?

I would not have bought a NTSC cam for 2 reasons:

1. I want it to be able to play existing PAL DV tapes.
2. My set top DVD recorder does not accept NTSC input for recording.

But if you are using it in High Def mode only, and have no old tapes etc, then the NTSC cam would work fine.

polaris68 · 09-10-2007, 2:50 PM

However...

If rockykabir records a lot of footage onto DV tapes with his NTSC HC3 he will not be able to play them back on a PAL camcorder if the HC3 breaks or, a few years from now, he changes camcorders.

Maybe he is better off starting his moviemaking career in PAL?

**senu** · 09-10-2007, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polaris68

However...

If rockykabir records a lot of footage onto DV tapes with his NTSC HC3 he will not be able to play them back on a PAL camcorder if the HC3 breaks or, a few years from now, he changes camcorders.

Maybe he is better off starting his moviemaking career in PAL?

Good point
Although you could say if he stuck to Hi def he should be safe but I imagine that If he then wanted to downconvert in-camera to DV AVI ( Standard def), or needed to shoot in SD for whatever reason the issue of PAL/NTSC will arise

I had a somewhat similar situation a several years ago when I was the recipient of a Sony Digital8 camcorder. It was very well endowed with lots of manual controls and IQ was good to excellent ..
but I had an uncomfortable feeling that Sony( which seemed to be the only company making them) might not support the format for long and I would be stuck with tapes only playable in a D8 camcorder which could break and not be replaceable
It was the wake up call to get MiniDV.. which is still around many years on

08-10-2007, 9:54 PM	#1
rockykabir Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Thanks: Gave 18, Got 0 Posts: 103	What should I do? sell the Sony HC3 to buy HV20? Advertisement Want to Advertise? In a little dilemma. I recently purchased a HDR-HC3 during a trip to US for a decent price. Bought it back here and then realised the possible difficulties of using a NTSC camcorder in the UK. However, most modern TVs display NTSC and PAL anyway. I think HDTVs have to display in 60i (US format) anyway right? I'm going back and forth about selling the Sony to buy a Canon HV20. Sorry for sounding like such a indecisive fool - but if you were in my shoes, is getting the HV20 really worth it? Is PAL/NTSC much of an issue anymore? thx btw, does anyone know what format do Blu-Rays and HD-DVDs display in? is it 25p or 24p? Last edited by rockykabir; 09-10-2007 at 11:49 AM.
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