Sony HDR-TG3 Camcorder should I buy in UK or USA

[srobson]

I am going on holiday to USA in 4 weeks should I get the Sony HDR-TG3 Camcorder here in the UK where I live or wait and get it cheaper in the USA. Is there any compatability issuse.

Thanks

Srobson

[senu]

Without specific reference to the TG3 , why not have a look at previous threads on her regarding buying in the USA.. they will certainly touch on the issues you want answered
Noting that the TG3 is AVCHD and non tape

[andyUK101]

If you are going to the US you will be able to pick the TG3 up from the Dixons airport stores for £468

A quick look on pricerunner shows the US price of the TG1 to be around $899

With that small a price difference i would pick it up in the UK on your way out, no warranty issues or problems with the voltages/plugs either

[Joby]

Originally Posted by andyUK101

If you are going to the US you will be able to pick the TG3 up from the Dixons airport stores for £468

A quick look on pricerunner shows the US price of the TG1 to be around $899

With that small a price difference i would pick it up in the UK on your way out, no warranty issues or problems with the voltages/plugs either

I'm looking at the same camcorder. Best Buy (easy to find) sell the US version for $765 (approx £365) according to Google, although there will be sales tax on top of that in most states.

[dejongj]

Right so the 'cheapest' is best buy, or at least everywhere within easy distance...So the total cost will be:

£365 + lets say 5% sales tax (4 in NewYork, 6 in Florida) + 4.9% import duty (or 14% if you buy the model that has video inputs!) + 17.5% VAT, grand total is £472.38 And for that you have something that you can't return locally, and operates at 60Hz...

So the Dixons deal looks pretty good! Or lambda tek sells them for £507 which is not a big difference either...

I know what I would choose...

[Joby]

Originally Posted by dejongj

Right so the 'cheapest' is best buy, or at least everywhere within easy distance...So the total cost will be:

£365 + lets say 5% sales tax (4 in NewYork, 6 in Florida) + 4.9% import duty (or 14% if you buy the model that has video inputs!) + 17.5% VAT, grand total is £472.38 And for that you have something that you can't return locally, and operates at 60Hz...

So the Dixons deal looks pretty good! Or lambda tek sells them for £507 which is not a big difference either...

I know what I would choose...

But if you are bringing it back in your own hand luggage, you are really unlikely to be asked to pay the import duty and VAT, no?

But I totally take the point about the problems with returns/support, and 60Hz. I guess I might try and buy at the airport...

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by Joby

But if you are bringing it back in your own hand luggage, you are really unlikely to be asked to pay the import duty and VAT, no?

So you are openly admitting to planning a tax-fraud and see no problem with that! Sure the chances used to be low to be caught, but then again so are they for many other crimes. There can be hefty penalties involved, even a prison sentence, a criminal record...And that is besides the morality question of defrauding the pot of money that pays for our schools, hospitals etc. Is it really worth it to risk all that for less than £100

[Joby]

Originally Posted by dejongj

So you are openly admitting to planning a tax-fraud and see no problem with that!

Well no, not really. I said that the chances of being asked to pay those taxes were low - without any reference to myself or my intentions.

I suspect that a fair few people on these forums have brought back more than the maximum value of goods allowed in tax-free without declaring them. I also know that people order from the states online, and when things get through customs without being taxed, don't immediately go to their nearest tax office to declare the error.

I see where you are coming from - but let's not pretend we live in a world where everybody pays every penny of import duty due, all the time.

[rhubarbe]

If you wanted to bring back the box, and all of the accessories in your luggage, that would be a bit of a giveaway, wouldn't it?

Of course, you could post yourself the empty box...

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by Joby

Well no, not really. I said that the chances of being asked to pay those taxes were low - without any reference to myself or my intentions.

I suspect that a fair few people on these forums have brought back more than the maximum value of goods allowed in tax-free without declaring them. I also know that people order from the states online, and when things get through customs without being taxed, don't immediately go to their nearest tax office to declare the error.

I see where you are coming from - but let's not pretend we live in a world where everybody pays every penny of import duty due, all the time.

exactly let's not pretend and change that conception beginning with our own actions instead of pointing at other people first. Next we all stop paying insurance tax, start shoplifting or carry knives. Or steal music and movies. All of those the chances of getting caught are very low. The concequencea are very high though. But as said let's start with ones own actions.

[mattr]

It's £501 at the BT shop, so £451 with the cash back offer. Tempting, and you'll be able to play with it before you go now (the camera that is).

(Still don't know if I prefer the SD9 though with its better stabilizer and FAR cheap SD cards)

[mmace]

nothing wrong with 60hz, it's more of a positive than negative as I keep pointing out, all Blu-rays (and HD-DVD's) run at 60hz not 50hz so as long as you're keeping your footage HD then it will play fine on your HDTV as well as any other HD Ready telly around the world, where as 50hz will be OK on some TVs it won't work in some countries

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by mmace

nothing wrong with 60hz, it's more of a positive than negative as I keep pointing out, all Blu-rays (and HD-DVD's) run at 60hz not 50hz so as long as you're keeping your footage HD then it will play fine on your HDTV as well as any other HD Ready telly around the world, where as 50hz will be OK on some TVs it won't work in some countries

Unfortunately I am the only one in my family with a blu-ray player...And I am pretty certain that the home penetration with the over 50's for example is so small you can't even count it statistically...So how do you suggest to burn a DVD or write to VCR so that granny and grandpa can see their grandchildren without getting motion sickness? It is a very practical and real issue. Or perhaps I am weird and are the only one that shares his movies...

[rhubarbe]

Sniff. I'm over 50.

Er, I don't have a BDP though.....

But only because I'm waiting for Profile 2 in something better at SD DVD playback than the DMP-BD50.

So there.

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

Sniff. I'm over 50.

Er, I don't have a BDP though.....

Well doesn't that proof the point

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

But only because I'm waiting for Profile 2 in something better at SD DVD playback than the DMP-BD50.

So there.

Point taken, but how many of your neighbours would know the difference between profile 2 and whatever there is currently....