last minute check before xh a1 purchase

I wouldn't buy from ebay. The seller is unlikely to be an authorized UK dealer, and then you're screwed out of the Canon warranty. I know it said that the camera comes with a 4 years warranty, but you don't know who is going to be honoring it. They might send it off to some factory that fixes microwave and have no idea how to deal with a camcorder. Although I hear the price in the UK is outrageously high compared to the US, so maybe the saving is worth it to you.
 
I would never buy new equipment from eBay either. At least here in the states, there are very reliable dealers that sell new equipment at better prices than new equipment on eBay ("low" prices from ripoff dealers are not better, or really lower, prices). I'm not entirely sure, but I think you can get a list of dealers from Canon's site. The seller in that listing has their address in the listing. If it were me (and I lived in the UK), and I was considering purchasing from them, I'd go see them in person.
 
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You have to be careful from Ebay. I bought my XHA1 BRAND NEW from Ebay one year ago and got it for $2850 (Canadian). I got it with no problems but I do know there are many scammers on Ebay.
 
I bought the exact same camera from the exact same seller for the same price in December 2007.
No problems with the camera at all.
The seller even called me to inform me when there was a delay in delivery (I ordered a few days just before Christmas so a delay was expected).
I recommend them.
 
Ok, so I understand that I should be weary about buying from ebay. Its just that its soo expensive in the UK to buy decent products from authorised dealers.

so with that in mind I have another question.

If I purchase from the US, even with the $300 shipping, its gonna be substantially cheaper. But this leads me to another query. Would it be ok to get a NTSC camera?

I know Europe opperates in PAL format, and so some TV's can't play NTSC, but I heard that most TV's are compatable nowadays, and that if need be I can convert to PAL in post. if i can buy NTSC, then its gonna be about $800 cheaper for the same product so this would be a real help.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
It sounds like a bad idea to me for more than just the NTSC/PAL issue. What about power? You might need an adapter to charge batteries and power your camera unless the charger has voltage switching capabilities. If it doesn't, it could get dodgy. I've cooked 60Hz electronics using 50Hz adapters.

However, I believe that NTSC cameras can be upgraded by Canon to support PAL, so that's something you could look into. I recall an upgrade price of US$500. You'd have to balance the cost of that upgrade and potentially a 50Hz charger, and questionable warranty support against a PAL camera purchased locally in the UK.
 
thats about £400. and then shipping is $200, so thats an extra hundred. will still be cheaper that buying from the UK though.

but it would be much better if i can save the hundreds and buy NTSC. According to B&H the power equirements are 50/60 Hz, so does this mean its compatable?

Basically the warranty isn't a problem because my dad is always going of to NY to sort out his office over there, so i can just give it to him if anything goes wrong.

so, the bottom line is, is it worth getting the NTSC for the $800 saving?

also, would i be able to upgrade to PAL in the UK? I understand the the US factories offer this, but would the european ones offer the same?
 
I'd say pay the extra money and get PAL. I don't see that saving the money will benefit in the long run. You'll end up needing to produce many videos at 25P. You'll get tired of conversion software, or end up spending money on the camera to get it converted. Compatability issues at any level end up a pain in the butt. Maybe these things would be no problem, but it looks like a big hassle waiting to happen.
 
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