A1U vs. A1J at DVinfo.net

Terry Teter · September 15th, 2006, 01:23 PM

I have looked around and searched the boards, but just can't find an answer to a lingering question of mine.

I found the A1J on the web for $1700 or so, and ordered it. The sales guy called my and told me that I'd have to get a charger that worked in the US and upgrade the battery, blah blah... So I spent the $2100 for the US model he recommended.

Now I have the unit in my hands and it is an A1J (model on bottom), with English menu's and NTSC format. How did he do that? Can you clone the A1U in a A1J body with a firmware update?

Can someone lists the differences between the two models for me? I really like this unit and wouldn't trade it for anything, but I just don't like anyone getting over on me.

Thanks,
tt

Douglas Spotted Eagle · September 15th, 2006, 01:43 PM

If you bought an A1J in the USA, you have a Japanese camcorder. It's a violation of Sony's dealer agreement for them to sell it to you in the USA, and you have no warranty coverage in the USA.
This is what's known as "Grey market selling" and is something to be avoided at all costs.
B&H for instance, has that camcorder with a rebate, bringing the total price to 1900.00 with everything. Charger, microphone, warranty, cables, owners manuals, the whole lot.

Terry Teter · September 15th, 2006, 01:53 PM

With a little luck, I am past my warranty period now and have had no problems. So I did OK there.

And as for the price, that was total with shipping (overnight) and extra 2 hr battery. So, again not too bad.

But performance wise, what do I have that is different than what you have? And why is this thing NTSC?

tt

Douglas Spotted Eagle · September 15th, 2006, 02:06 PM

Because Japan is NTSC.

Terry Teter · September 20th, 2006, 09:50 PM

Well, here is a few seconds of 1080i footage with an A1J

https://home.comcast.net/~BlindRI/images/sunset.wmv

That was taken in my back yard. I walked outside and had to record some of the sky and didn't have very long before the light changed to set anything up or make any adjustments.

My appoligies if this link doesn't work, had a lot of trouble uploading tonight.

tt

Wayne Zebzda · September 22nd, 2006, 06:36 PM

Aloha Terry,
what exactly came with the camera (was it in a sealed box with charger,manual etc...)?

Best,
wz.

Scott Myers · September 23rd, 2006, 12:42 PM

That's good-looking footage, Terry.

Gian Pablo Villamil · September 23rd, 2006, 09:21 PM

The Japan charger will also work in the US just fine. I have an A1J. I now live in New York.

The only differences between the A1J and the A1U are: the possibility of selecting Japanese menus, and that black level when using DV is set at the Japanese standard, 0 IRE instead of the US standard, 7.5 IRE.

Bill McMullen · October 1st, 2006, 03:33 AM

Ah, see, that's what I was afraid of, the clouds look Japanese in that footage. I'm just kidding, it looks great, I'm sure it's fine.

Terry Teter · October 6th, 2006, 10:01 AM

Wayne, sorry for the late reply, went on the loose 20 pounds in one week diet, fortunately antibiotics are now kicking in.

The items in the box were the same as page nine of the manual for the A1U.

16 Mb Memory stick
Duo Adapter
Ac Adapter US
Lens hood
Remote
AV RCA S-video cable
Component Video cable
USB cable
XLR & Mic
NP-FM50 battery
Manual

BTW, they are only considered to be Japanese Clouds if it is the rising sun, this was the setting sun which proves they are in the West.

September 15th, 2006, 01:23 PM	#1
Terry Teter New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: FRESNO CA Posts: 11	A1U vs. A1J I have looked around and searched the boards, but just can't find an answer to a lingering question of mine. I found the A1J on the web for $1700 or so, and ordered it. The sales guy called my and told me that I'd have to get a charger that worked in the US and upgrade the battery, blah blah... So I spent the $2100 for the US model he recommended. Now I have the unit in my hands and it is an A1J (model on bottom), with English menu's and NTSC format. How did he do that? Can you clone the A1U in a A1J body with a firmware update? Can someone lists the differences between the two models for me? I really like this unit and wouldn't trade it for anything, but I just don't like anyone getting over on me. Thanks, tt

September 15th, 2006, 01:43 PM	#2
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	If you bought an A1J in the USA, you have a Japanese camcorder. It's a violation of Sony's dealer agreement for them to sell it to you in the USA, and you have no warranty coverage in the USA. This is what's known as "Grey market selling" and is something to be avoided at all costs. B&H for instance, has that camcorder with a rebate, bringing the total price to 1900.00 with everything. Charger, microphone, warranty, cables, owners manuals, the whole lot. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

September 15th, 2006, 01:53 PM	#3
Terry Teter New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: FRESNO CA Posts: 11	Warranty With a little luck, I am past my warranty period now and have had no problems. So I did OK there. And as for the price, that was total with shipping (overnight) and extra 2 hr battery. So, again not too bad. But performance wise, what do I have that is different than what you have? And why is this thing NTSC? tt

September 15th, 2006, 02:06 PM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Because Japan is NTSC. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

September 20th, 2006, 09:50 PM	#5
Terry Teter New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: FRESNO CA Posts: 11	Sunset Well, here is a few seconds of 1080i footage with an A1J https://home.comcast.net/~BlindRI/images/sunset.wmv That was taken in my back yard. I walked outside and had to record some of the sky and didn't have very long before the light changed to set anything up or make any adjustments. My appoligies if this link doesn't work, had a lot of trouble uploading tonight. tt

September 22nd, 2006, 06:36 PM	#6
Wayne Zebzda Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Kauai, Hawaii Posts: 86	Aloha Terry, what exactly came with the camera (was it in a sealed box with charger,manual etc...)? Best, wz.

September 23rd, 2006, 12:42 PM	#7
Scott Myers New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 13	That's good-looking footage, Terry.

September 23rd, 2006, 09:21 PM	#8
Gian Pablo Villamil Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 138	The Japan charger will also work in the US just fine. I have an A1J. I now live in New York. The only differences between the A1J and the A1U are: the possibility of selecting Japanese menus, and that black level when using DV is set at the Japanese standard, 0 IRE instead of the US standard, 7.5 IRE.

October 1st, 2006, 03:33 AM	#9
Bill McMullen Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 31	Ah, see, that's what I was afraid of, the clouds look Japanese in that footage. I'm just kidding, it looks great, I'm sure it's fine.

October 6th, 2006, 10:01 AM	#10
Terry Teter New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: FRESNO CA Posts: 11	Boxed Items in A1J Wayne, sorry for the late reply, went on the loose 20 pounds in one week diet, fortunately antibiotics are now kicking in. The items in the box were the same as page nine of the manual for the A1U. 16 Mb Memory stick Duo Adapter Ac Adapter US Lens hood Remote AV RCA S-video cable Component Video cable USB cable XLR & Mic NP-FM50 battery Manual BTW, they are only considered to be Japanese Clouds if it is the rising sun, this was the setting sun which proves they are in the West.