Hi Tung Bui,

We bought 2 units:

the PD-150 (with local warranty) at about SGD5500 inc. GST and a JVC GY-DV301E at SGD4850 export model w/o local warranty.

All prices quoted by Ho Chee Woe above are quite accurate and reflecting the current market (street) prices.

You could get export models of these 3CCD cams at the following prices :

Prosumer :

1. PD-150 SGD5200
2. PDX-10 SGD3700
3. AG-DVX100 SGD4900 (w/o XLR mic)
4. XL1s SGD5400
5. DV301E SGD 4850 (w/o batt & XLR mic)

Consumer :
1. MX500 SGD 2600 (with photo printer)
2. TRV950E SGD 3300
3. VX2000 SGD3700

1.00 SGD Singapore Dollars = 0.883160 AUD Australia Dollars
1 SGD = 0.883160 AUD
1 AUD = 1.13230 SGD

That's the current rate. 13% better in OZ.

The prices for te high end cameras are about there, for the MX500, the price is SGD2300 with some free gifts, about 2 months ago, should be lower now.

The problem with Australia is the tax. Bringing in a camera to Australia is a no-no, unless you can show the customs that you have been using the camera. I remember helping an australian guy get his MX500 here, no problems so far, but the cam was carried into Australia as personal camera, taken out of the box. It may be difficult to convince customs that the PD150 or the DVX100 are personal (non-commercial) cams, and they may ask for local receipts, else - tax! Please check out with other frequent travellers before buying.

And don't forget the tapes. In singapore, MiniDV tapes can be as cheap as SGD4.50 a piece! I buy Sony tapes (red-packing) at SGD5.00 each.

I travel back to JB (Msia) everyday, bringing along my DV301 camcorder. My partner, carries his PD-150 everyday, in and out too. So far so good. Sometimes, we even carry them in hands!

But, anything bigger than that (the size of VX2000/PD-150), like those shoulder model DSR-250 or JVC DV5000 might be risky.

Hey Sean, just noticed that you're an Englishman in the south of Germany.

I'm an Englishman in the north of Switzerland (about 40km to the SE of Zürich to be exact).

Well, waddyaknow?

Hi Nigel,

How did you end up in Switzerland?

I got a job with a US company that has its European headquarters here. How about you?

Hi Guys,

I got to test the two cams last night (Panny MX500 & Sony TRV950).

The MX 500 was nicer & ligher to hold, but I liked the video better from the TRV 950...

So I think i'm going to go with the TRV 950, as there is not much in the price.

Thanks for all the help

Well, you can't go wrong with the TRV950. You'll gain the lower shutter settings, but you'll miss the frame mode and 16:9. You can never win! No cam is ever perfect. But..., if the MX5 had bigger CCDs, lower shutter settings and a beefier LCD, it would be perfect, or d_mn near.

Hi Nigel,
My Wife also got a job for a US company, I came with her over here, and now look after our 5 month old son.
So i'm a kind of house husband...hehe..

"kind of house husband."

das Gemut!

<<<-- Originally posted by Frank Granovski : das Gemut! -->>>
Thanks Frank, Nice of you to say so....:)