camcorder which one and buy here or US?

[tony64]

Hi
we are looking to buy a camcorder and as technology is moving so fast we where hopeing that someone could advice us on the best make / format to get and whether to buy in England or get one in the US?
Any help will be greatfully recieved

the budget is about £250

 

[ely3857]

Hello,

Not sure if I would risk buying in the US. In addition to warranty issues I like to get used to my camcorder before taking it on holiday.

There as some good deals if you look hard enough, After traipsing around all the usual shops trying out camcorders for size my DF found my Sony DCR-HC18E online at Dixons for £313.49 (this was in June '04) which was at least £50.00 less than anywhere else.



Ely3857

This camcorder is a digital one which is fantastic, even though I will have had it a year when we go to Flordia in July there is nothing out yet that would make me want to upgrade. It is nice and small, very light and very very easy to use.

 

[tony64]

thanks Ely
can anyone recommenda slightly cheaper option?

 

[mumloveseeyore]

hi we've just bought a JVCGR-D63 which seems very good so far, records on tape but you can connect it to the computer to save on cd also works as a stills camera. Hope this helps got it from currys for 249 Gill

 

[Cherb]

My recommendation is to buy in the UK before you go. Reasons for this are:

1. You get a UK spec camcorder with a European guarantee
2. US camcorders record in NTSC colour format. UK uses PAL (look on the front of your VCR and next to the VHS sign you'll probably see a little PAL signal). This means that you need NTSC compatible TV, Video, etc to watch or record from a US spec camcorder.
3. You'd be over your single allowance for a single item and would have to pay duty on your return to the UK. Two people cannot pool their £149 duty allowance to cover a single more expensive item.
4. Prices on the internet are better than than duty free shops, and sometimes better than US prices. Once you've decided on a particular model have a look at the following websites for pricing: http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/ http://www.dealtime.co.uk/ http://www.kelkoo.co.uk/
5. You get to practice with your camcorder before you get to Disney (always a bonus )

In terms of what to go for I'd suggest the following:

1. Go for MiniDV tape format as this is by far the most popular. DVD camcorders are still not as reliable and tend to be more expensive
2. Go for a more well known make such as Sony, Panasonic or Canon.
3. Have a look at the following website.. there's loads of useful info... http://www.camcorderinfo.com/

Hope all this helps.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

There are plenty of shops in Kissimmee that sell PAL versions of camcorders specificly for the UK visitors.
As for the duty, well, come on, if you get caught you get caught the once in a while you get caught is adequatly covered by the 99 times you do not

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Sorry double post

 

[Andrew Bichard]

As for the duty, well, come on, if you get caught you get caught the once in a while you get caught is adequatly covered by the 99 times you do not

Many years ago, a mate of mine bought a high end SLR in Hong Kong.

He wasn't challenged when he brought it in, and continued to take it in and out of the UK for several years with no trouble.

Then he got stopped returning from a trip, when they spotted that the serial number on the camera wasn't a UK serial number. Because he couldn't produce a receipt for the duty and VAT, he had to pay a penalty, the duty and VAT to keep the camera.

Andrew

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

if it was a few years old, ge should have let them keep it and got another one.

 

[wicket2005]

I have just bought the Sony DCRHC18E from Makro for £235, you need a Makro card to get it but if you can it is quite a bargain. Retailed for £450 in the Autumn/Winter Argos catalogue and it got 94% in one of the camcorder mags.

Takes great pictures and is so small.

 

[tony64]

Thanks for that
as it happens i do have a Makro card

 

[terryo]

stick to sony...a little more expensive but much more reliable and less likely to damage those holiday tapes/memories