Hi I have a Z1 (PAL) i have to shoot a project for an American company and at the end of the night hand the tapes to the company. Only thing is it has to be shot in NTSC, is my Z1 switchable from PAL to NTSC?

Yep - press MENU > OTHERS > 50i/60i SEL and choose 60i.

This will affect both HDV and DV modes, so you may need to change MENU > IN/OUT > REC FORMAT. You can also choose between DV and DVCAM with MENU > IN/OUT REC MODE if desired. Finally, you may need to choose either 4:3 or widescreen mode with MENU > IN/OUT > DV WIDE REC.

You might even consider setting the default shutter speed to 1/60th but I'm not sure about this. I know native NTSC cameras shoot at 1/60th and PAL at 1/50th, and that's the reason I say this.

Interesting Tom - I assumed this would happen automatically when you set the camera to NTSC. But I have never actually checked, so maybe this does need to be done.

Thanks guys, can you do this when shooting HDV? Also how do you change the shutter speed to 60? Sorry but i only have the cam a few days...

See my post above. Switching from 50i (PAL) to 60i (NTSC) only changes the frame rate, not the format. You can select that independently - either DV or HDV.

I'm pretty sure the shutter speed will change to conform all by itself. Otherwise push the shutter button and use the menu wheel at the back of the camera to dial it in.

cheers guys

Cool Dennis. Let us know how the shoot goes!