What happens if I buy a HVX200 NTSC and use it in PAL regions?

Well, pretty much the same as if you buy a DVX-100A (or any other mini-DV camcorder) NTSC and use it in PAL regions - you don't get any PAL!!!

That said, the only mode you're really missing out on is 1080 50i, as all the progressive modes (I think I'm right in saying this) support 24p which is close enough to 25p to merely be interpreted as such with a slight (just over 4%) adjustment to the audio rate to keep sync. This method has been used for about 50 years to convert 24 fps movie (i.e. film) sources to 50i TV sources.

Don't ya just love living in PAL land??! :)

Jan from Panasonic said there will be a PAL version. 50i, 25p. This question was asked and answered at the FCPUG event. No hedging or hesitation from her. "What about PAL?", "There will be a PAL model." That's it.

Although, I'd agree to buy the NTSC model to be world wide, and shoot 24p for PAL countries. This is a mini-Varicam (720p) and mini-CineAlta (1080p), after all. Why not shoot like it?

Just you wait until someone gets the bright idea of placing a GPS chip in the camera to locate your position on the planet and automatically switch format accordingly! After all, the video police come and get ya if you shoot anything but SECAM in France or Quebec!


(Just kidding)

Steve House