Question about pal & ntsc (HDR-HC1). and languages.
 

Is there a difference between a HDR-HC1-pal model and a HDR-HC1-ntsc model if I only record HD?


I also would like to know, if languages for the menues can be downloaded into the camera? or be installed by a sony-dealer. I´ve got a japanese version of the camera, it does not have english menues.


Thanks for the help.

PAL/NTSC: Yes. Same resolution but PAL shoots at 50fields-per-second (=25fps) and NTSC at 30fields-per-second (=30fps). Default shutter speed on PAL cam is 1/50th sec, NTSC its 1/60th sec.

Languages: no. Languages AFAIK are not user-selectable or downloadable. That's IMO quite deliberate by Sony to stop people cherry-picking the cheapest market and buying NTSC cam overseas....

Ok, so the framerate isn´t standard in the HD format, thanks.

I understand that they do that deliberatly, but wouldn´t it be possible for the sony-people to change the firmware? after all, it´s a sony camera, not a copy. I´ll try to ge ahold of the nearest dealer and try. I´m willing to pay.

Am I assuming right if Im thinking that both languages and Pal/Ntsc is changable by replacing a chip or just changing the firmware somehow?

Yes i'm sure it's possible but whether it' likely that they'll do that - i don't know.
I susepct that they will refuse to do it, but thats just a guess.

I doubt there's any hardware differences at all between the PAL and NTSC models and so it might be just a firmware change for the languages.
PAL vs NTSC - i'm not sure about that - how the two differ.

Since Sweden is a PAL-video system, why did you acquire a NTSC camera with the menu's in japanese? Surely you knew that sweden is PAL, Japan is NTSC? do you have any problems playing back your footage?

Hey, thanks for your answers.

Yes I know we use PAL in Sweden ;-) but I have no intention connecting the camcorder to the TV.. Everything I shoot goes in to premiere.

I bought the camera in Japan because of the price difference. I knew all the facts, and Im happy the way it is. but of course I would be even more happy if I could change firmware :-D hehe.

Eh. You should have asked on the forum before buying. I know a bunch of shops in Tokyo that have the HC1N, it is the non-US export model for NTSC regions. It is the same price as the HC1J, and has multi-language menus (English, English simple, French, Spanish, Portugese, Chinese, Japanese & Korean).

Actually you can get really good prices on the A1J, which has English & Japanese menus (and is labelled in English). I paid 208,000 yen, which is about $1,800.

I am almost certain that you will not be able to upgrade/change the firmware.

Eh, Im more like why not give it a try. I still would have bought it if I could rewind time hehe .-) There was accually a German guy in this forum that made changes to his firmware. However not the language. But it is deffinatly possible.

I payed half of what you payed ;-) and I record the audio externaly, so there is not a big difference.

But thanks for the offer, honestly!