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

Henrik Jensen · June 5th, 2006, 11:56 AM

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.

Stu Holmes · June 5th, 2006, 12:35 PM

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....

Henrik Jensen · June 5th, 2006, 12:50 PM

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?

Stu Holmes · June 5th, 2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrik Jensen

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrik Jensen

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?

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?

Henrik Jensen · June 5th, 2006, 03:57 PM

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.

Gian Pablo Villamil · June 5th, 2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrik Jensen

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.

Henrik Jensen · June 6th, 2006, 03:27 AM

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!

June 5th, 2006, 11:56 AM	#1
Henrik Jensen New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 6	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.

June 5th, 2006, 12:35 PM	#2
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	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....

June 5th, 2006, 12:50 PM	#3
Henrik Jensen New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 6	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?

June 5th, 2006, 03:57 PM	#5
Henrik Jensen New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 6	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.

June 6th, 2006, 03:27 AM	#7
Henrik Jensen New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 6	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!